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Multipurpose satellite platform
Our small-satellite ESCI-MOON will redefine the market
We offer a universal and flexible platform for dedicated missions of small payloads up to the Moon. The platform can also act as a kickstage, transporting small satellites and offering deep space relay services at the target environment.
ESCI-MOON does not require a Moon-rocket, as it is a free-flying platform using electric propulsion and can be launched into GEO to reach the Moon within a year.
multipurpose platform
150kg | 1.2m³
Nano-, Cube- and Microsats
Break the limits of the current transport infrastructure
By accommodating dedicated adapters and dispensers instead of a payload, ESCI-MOON acts as a kickstage to provide lunar access for SmallSats without the need for a rare and costly rideshare on a Moon-rocket AND already includes a deep-space communication relay system.
Transportation Envelope
32U | 50kg
CubeSat Dispenser:
Courtesy of Planetary Systems Corp
Dedicated Payloads
A plug-and-play solution for your instruments
An electric propulsion system as well as the flexible payload accommodation and -interfacing concept make ESCI-MOON a convenient ready-to-use platform for any commercial- and scientific mission.
Payload Envelope Incl. Adapters
300 liter | 50kg
Cases & Facts
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Addressable mission environments
In the wake of ongoing miniaturization in parallel to improving performance of space missions, Microlaunchers and GEO launch providers will enable ESCI-MOON to realize the future small satellite missions of endless possibilities.
ESCI-MOON is designed to make use of future flexible Small-Sat launch solutions – enabling it to start its missions in GEO.
Its own free-flying capability allows nimble, low-cost and long-term dedicated missions for commercial- and scientific missions: situational awareness, observation and support for already established activities in the GEO-region call for a ready-to-use platform like ESCI-MOON.
Starting in GEO, ESCI-MOON can assume any orbit between GEO and the Moon.
The environment beyond earth’s magnetic field is poorly explored. Since it is planned to freqently send out manned missions to the Moon which will cross this region on any journey, scientific examination and monitoring of the cislunar environment for hazard prediction becomes a significant mission type.
ESCI-MOON is designed to go Lunar!
Using the full potential of its electric propulsion system, it can spiral up to the Moon within a year after starting in GEO based on an optimized trajectory. Once captured by Moon’s gravity, reverse thrust allows precise targeting of any orbit down to 100km altitude.
ESCI-MOON’s design results in an alternative infrastructure for observation-, support-, navigational- and satellite transport missions as well as for technology demonstration of new components.
Thanks to the electric propulsion concept, demanding LEO missions can also be targeted with ESCI-MOON, enabling high maneuverability, frequent orbital transfers, de-orbiting from high orbits and a long mission duration even in low altitudes.
ESCI-MOON’s parabolic X-Band antenna and precise 3-axis pointing hereby allow high-fidelity Earth observation missions requiring high data downstream rates. This way also in LEO the potential of ESCI-MOON’s deep-space capabilities never remains unused.
1 Optional Microsat Adapter • 2 Payload Deck • 3 Reaction Wheels • 4 Star Trackers • 5 Xenon Tank • 6 S-Band Transceiver • 7 PCDU • 8 HDRMs • 9 X-Band Antenna • 10 S-Band Antenna • 11 Li-Ion Battery • 12 Ion-Thruster Control • 13 SADMs • 14 Resistojets • 15 Honeycomb Panels • 16 Solar Generator • 17 Ion-Thrusters • 18 Launch Adapter
ESCI-MOON's Technological Background
Technical performance
& specifications
ESCI-MOON’s payload compartment offers generous volume and interfaces to accommodate dedicated payload(s) and satellites on the top payload deck using individual adapters.
D I M E N S I O N S
970x970x370mm³ | ~32U CubeSat Volume
M A S S
50kg (To Moon Orbit)
M E C H A N I C A L I N T E R F A C E
Universal Top Payload Deck (Adapter or CubeSat-Dispenser needed)
P O W E R I N T E R F A C E
3|5|12|28VDC | 10|10|10|25A
D A T A I N T E R F A C E
Spacewire 50Mbit/s | RS422/485 | PPS Time Synchronization
The payload interface box is the universal electrical interface between BUS and P/L. It can house individual PCBs to enable unique power and data compatability and accommodate further functional P/L electronics.
P O W E R I N T E R F A C E
Forwarding or DC/DC conversion of nominal BUS supply
D A T A I N T E R F A C E
Forwarding or Conditioning of Housekeeping- and Scientific Data
D E D I C A T E D E L E C T R O N I C S
Additional Custom Functionality (e.g. Data Storage)
Although ESCI-MOON’s payload accommodation is designed to be the best-fit-for-all, some restrictions may apply. Please contact us for further details.
C E N T E R O F M A S S C O N F O R M I T Y
P/L center of mass must align with platform requirements
P / L M A S S
50kg envelope includes adapters
P O W E R
All-Time guaranteed (Shadow): 100W
Nominal guaranteed (Sun): 400W
Peak possible: 700W
ESCI-MOON’s COM System offers S/C command and -monitoring as well as reception of data to be relayed via S-Band. Main data is transferred to Earth via the high-gain X-Band parabolic antenna.
S – B A N D R E C E I V E D
Telecommand / Relay Data Input @ 8kbps
S – B A N D T R A N S M I T T E D
Status & Housekeeping @ 10kbps
X – B A N D T R A N S M I T T E D
Payload Data Transmission @ 2-50Mbps (Lunar-GEO Distance)
ESCI-MOON is designed for maximum efficiency at a small formfactor. BUS and propulsion system provide competitive performance at a low cost, using COTS products wherever possible.
D I M E N S I O N S
1x1x1.2m³ (folded solar arrays) | Wingspan 5m
M A S S
85kg Dry | 100kg Wet | 150kg including P/L
P R O P U L S I O N S Y S T E M
2x 6mN Thrust | up to 4000s Isp | 14kg Propellant
P O W E R S Y S T E M
1200W Solar Generator | 750Wh Li-Ion Battery
A O C S
3-Axis Stabilization | 4 Reaction Wheels & 12 Resistojets
D A T A H A N D L I N G
50MHz OnBoardComputer | SpaceWire | RS422/RS485
Download a quick summary of ESCI-MOON and its performance as one convenient PDF. Please send us a mail if you have specific questions!
A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE
Demonstration mission to the Moon planned in 2026
Inspired by the SMART-1 mission (ESA 2004), ESCI-MOON’s demonstration mission will carry out a spiral transfer from GEO to the Moon. LEVITY will collaborate with scientific and commercial payload providers willing to support LEVITY with their payload(s) to prove concept, technology and applicability of the ESCI-MOON mission portfolio.
Spiral Trajectory
GEO to Moon
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Nächster
THE ASTROPRENEURS
Get in touch with the
team of LEVITY
LEVITY is a StartUp developing space solutions based in Aachen, Germany. We are currently backed by the FH Aachen – University of Applied Sciences as well as by our mentor Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Czupalla and supporter Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd Dachwald providing advice, office space as well as programmatic- and technical assistance.
Additional to our partnering institutes, we are always looking for further supporters interested in our product and mission.
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Part of ESA BIC Nothern Germany
We are proud to be part of the ESA Business Incubation Centre Northern Germany
Since July 2021 we are part of the ESA Business Incubation Centre (BIC) Northern Germany – the new flagship project for the aeronautics and space sector in Bremen. The space incubator is part of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) network of 20 centres across Europe and is set to take on startups from Bremen as well as from other federal states in Northern Germany.
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