ORiS has contributed to the Phase A study of the ALBS (Advanced Lunar Beacon System) a lunar beacon system designed to help spacecraft and surface assets know exactly where they are and when, the Moon's equivalent of the positioning and timing signals we rely on Earth. The study was funded by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and led by Thales Alenia Space Italia, with QASCOM and the University of Rome Tor Vergata, and included technical exchanges with NASA.

Within the project, ORiS contributed to a Wireless Power Transmission (WPT) module for distributing energy to future lunar surface infrastructure. Our main partner on this work is nLIGHT, a leader in high-power lasers: ORiS will provide nLIGHT with the pointing algorithm that will keep the laser beam locked precisely on its target across long distances, which is what will make safe and efficient power delivery possible. It is a natural fit for our core technology: delivering power by laser where cables and permanent generation are impractical a decisive advantage during the roughly 14-day lunar nights that leave traditional solar systems idle.

As the space community works toward a sustainable presence on the Moon under NASA's ARTEMIS programme, positioning, navigation and timing, communications, and power will be the infrastructure that makes long-duration missions possible. Contributing alongside these partners is a strong signal of where wireless power fits in that future.

Building infrastructure for the Moon  or for missions closer to home? Get in touch.

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