GMV signs a contract with ESA to advance cis-lunar space surveillance

GMV's subsidiary in Poland has been awarded a major contract by the European Space Agency (ESA) for the project titled “Ground-Based Observation Strategies and Sensor Design for Cis-Lunar Space Monitoring and Tracking Support” (S2PS2SD06), a pioneering step towards ensuring safe and sustainable operations in the expanding cis-lunar space domain.

In a consortium led by GMV's subsidiary in Poland, with partners 6ROADS and the Astronomical Observatory of Adam Mickiewicz University, the project seeks to define and develop advanced observation strategies and sensor designs specifically tailored for the challenging cis-lunar environment—the space region extending between Earth and the Moon.

Funded by ESA, this project responds to the growing necessity to monitor and manage increasing space activities around the Moon. As interest in lunar missions and infrastructures rises, GMV's efforts will help ensure that operational safety and sustainability in this vital region of space are upheld.

The project will:

• Characterize the cis-lunar orbital environment,
• Design ground-based telescope systems optimized for cis-lunar observation,
• Develop observation strategies to support cataloguing, collision avoidance, and space domain awareness.

The outcome will be a prototype of a monitoring system that leverages commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components, pushing the technology readiness level (TRL) to 3/4.

GMV’s Role and European Collaboration

As the project leader, GMV will coordinate all technical activities and ensure system integration and performance assessment. The partnership with 6ROADS and the Adam Mickiewicz University Observatory reflects a strong Polish collaboration supported by European funding, showcasing Poland’s growing leadership in the space surveillance domain.

This contract reinforces GMV’s position as a central player in Europe’s space surveillance and traffic management landscape. It also marks a milestone for GMV Poland, positioning the company at the forefront of European efforts to secure future lunar activities through innovation in ground-based sensing and observation.