Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
0 comments 
European project studies laser beam capable of sending energy to a rover in dark lunar craters, where signs of water ice can support future missions with water, oxygen, and fuel in space
A lunar laser up to 15 km long could power a rover in the Moon’s permanently shadowed regions, where there are indications of water ice capable of sustaining future missions with drinking water, oxygen, and fuel.
Remote power for lunar darkness
The European concept proposes sending energy via a laser beam to a rover that would operate in locations where sunlight does not reach.
The idea is to allow continuous movement in total darkness, without relying solely on onboard stored energy.
-
São Paulo’s interior is on the radar for the most dangerous autumn shift, with above-normal heat before the polar mass, sharp drops in temperature during early mornings, and a risk of frost in southern São Paulo in a window that worries crops, vegetables, and low-lying areas.
-
Smart traffic with drones and AI promises to reduce congestion and save up to 20% on fuel in cities without widening streets.
-
Astronomers discovered a colossal structure hidden behind the Milky Way, 300 million light-years across, with a mass of 30 quadrillion Suns and at least 20 galaxy clusters.
-
The Sun fired two X2.5 flares in just 7 hours and knocked out radio communications in the Pacific — NASA warns that 2026 is the peak of the solar cycle and the worst-case scenario would cost the world US$ 9 trillion.
This model also reduces the need to carry large energy reserves on the vehicle itself. The focus is on keeping the rover active while moving through areas that, by definition, do not offer direct illumination.
The approach is being studied in ESA’s technological programs and targets areas considered strategic for lunar exploration.
In these areas, water ice is one of the most sought-after resources for future human and robotic operations.
Several missions have already detected hydrogen in these regions, a strong indicator of the presence of ice. Data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, supported by the Chandrayaan-1 and SMART-1 missions, indicate that this ice may have been stable for billions of years.
Lunar laser avoids some nuclear challenges
Traditional solutions for this type of environment often rely on nuclear systems, such as radioisotope thermoelectric generators.
They can provide constant power but come with cost, engineering complexity, and thermal management challenges.
ESA robotics engineer Michel Van Winnendael stated that the standard suggestion would be to equip the rover with nuclear-powered generators.
The problem is that this path also increases the mission’s technical requirements.
The heat generated by a rover warm enough to operate could affect the ice it is meant to study.
The lunar laser changes this logic by sending energy remotely and reducing the thermal impact on the nearby environment.
The idea leverages experiences on Earth, where lasers have kept drones flying for long periods. On the Moon, however, the technology needs to be adapted for longer transmissions and much harsher conditions.
How the PHILIP project works
The system was named PHILIP, an acronym for high-intensity laser induction power for planetary rovers.
The project was developed by Leonardo and the National Institute for Optoelectronics Research and Development in Romania.
The initiative is funded by ESA. The mission would position a lander in a zone of almost constant sunlight, located between the Gerlache and Shackleton craters.
From this illuminated point, a 500-watt infrared laser would continuously hit a 250 kg rover as it advanced into shadowed regions.
The rover would convert the beam into electricity using modified solar panels.
Sensors would maintain beam alignment with precision down to one centimeter. The path would also need to be carefully planned, using inclinations of about 10 degrees to preserve direct line of sight.
Communication via the same light beam
The lunar laser could also serve for communication. A retroreflector installed on the rover would send modulated signals back to the lander via reflected light, allowing two-way data exchange.
This solution would combine power supply and information transmission in the same setup. The goal is to keep the vehicle operating in cold, dark regions without requiring direct contact with sunlight.
Field tests have already been conducted, including nighttime trials in Tenerife, under conditions similar to those on the Moon. These experiments helped validate the rover’s navigation and operation in low visibility.
Next step will be prototyping
The PHILIP project is still in the study phase, but it has reached the point where prototypes and new tests can begin in subsequent ESA technological programs.
Van Winnendael stated that the project’s completion brings this possibility closer.
The expectation is that the approach will allow exploring areas of the Moon that still remain inaccessible. If it works, the system could pave the way for rovers to operate in dark craters where water ice remains protected from sunlight.
The central interest remains reaching the ice without altering its naturally preserved immediate environment.
With information from Daily Galaxy.
Be the first to react!