LUMIO ENTERS IMPLEMENTATION PHASE: POLITECNICO DI MILANO LEADS THE CONSORTIUM INTO THE LUNAR CUBESAT’S DETAILED DESIGN

The Kick‑Off Meeting held on 2 March 2026 marked the start of the implementation phase for the LUMIO (Lunar Meteoroid Impacts Observer) mission, led by Politecnico di Milano through the DART Lab at the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology. LUMIO is an ESA mission within the General Support Technology Programme (GSTP), supported primarily by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and participated by the space agencies of Norway (NOSA), the United Kingdom (UKSA), and Sweden (SNSA).

The mission involves using a 12U CubeSat to fly in a halo orbit around the Earth-Moon L2 Lagrangian point to continuously monitor the lunar farside for detecting impact flashes produced by meteoroids. By complementing ground‑based observations of the near-side lunar surface, LUMIO will refine meteoroid‑flux models in cislunar space. Its LUMIO‑Cam optical payload (VIS/NIR) features on‑board, real‑time processing to identify events and downlink only relevant data. The current activities in Phase C cover the detailed design and development of platform, payload, propulsion, ground segment, and mission & navigation ahead of the upcoming Critical Design Review planned in 2027.

The European consortium is led by Politecnico di Milano (prime, science, mission, GNC) and includes Argotec (CubeSat design, integration & test), Leonardo (LUMIO‑Cam), IMT (X‑band transponder and solar arrays), Nautilus (flight dynamics), S&T Norway (on‑board payload data processing), Lift Me Off (propulsion system), and ECAPS (main thruster).

“With LUMIO we bring a university to the helm of an ESA mission through detailed design and the integration of enabling technologies for truly low-cost lunar exploration. It shows Politecnico di Milano’s capability to act as prime contractor in a traditionally industry‑led domain, coordinating European partners on a frontier scientific and technological challenge,” says Francesco Topputo, LUMIO Principal Investigator

LUMIO mission at a glance

• Objective: detect and characterise lunar impact flashes on the farside to advance meteoroid‑flux models and lunar situational awareness
• Spacecraft: 12U CubeSat (~30 kg) with LUMIO‑Cam, on‑board processing, X-band transponder, deployable solar array, miniaturised chemical propulsion system and reaction control system
• Orbit: halo about Earth-Moon L2, with observation windows complementary to Earth‑based telescopes
• Programme: ESA/GSTP – Fly Element funded by ASI and supported by NOSA, UKSA, and SNSA.

Polimi Press Release: Politecnico di Milano leads the European mission that will observe meteoroid impacts on the far side of the Moon

ESA article: A leap forward for Lumio: Phase C officially launched