The European Space Agency (ESA) is seeking ideas for how to use a constellation of communications and navigation satellites orbiting the moon to build a lunar enterprise - and bring opportunities to Earth. Hundreds of lunar missions will be launched in the coming years. In order to establish sustainable lunar connections, ESA launched the "Moonlight" program to support European space companies in establishing lunar satellite clusters. These satellites will provide communications and navigation services, giving entrepreneurs the ability to create innovative businesses for customers on the moon and Earth.

Artist's impression of a moon base concept. It includes solar arrays for energy production, greenhouses for food production, and living quarters screened with gravel. Image source: ESA-P. Carril

These businesses will create new jobs in Europe and around the world. Economic advisers estimate that lunar revenue opportunities could total €40 billion over the next decade, rising to nearly €160 billion by 2040.

For example, utilities could use lunar connectivity to remotely manage power generation, storage and distribution infrastructure on the moon. Mining companies could use lunar satellite positioning to pinpoint and extract water, oxygen and hydrogen for use in life support and propellants, as well as to mine materials needed to build lunar bases.

Data companies could use satellites to communicate with secure data centers on the moon, which store data in the cold conditions at the moon's poles. Entertainment companies can use the lunar environment to create games, movies and other leisure activities, taking advantage of lunar positioning and data exchange between the moon and Earth.

Long-term stationing of robots or humans on the moon may require innovative services that take advantage of "moonlight" capabilities. Creating such businesses could boost the development of the lunar economy by leveraging business opportunities on Earth on the Moon - from new developments in agriculture and transportation to life support systems and medicine.

ESA today launched a competition for visionary business ideas that use lunar communications and navigation services to meet the needs of customers on Earth and the Moon. ESA is expected to provide one-year contracts to develop and assess the feasibility, viability and needs of potential customers of the ideas. The best ideas may be eligible to apply for follow-on opportunities – companies are invited to submit their brightest ideas to become pioneers in the lunar economy.