GomSpace Tapped for Lunar Mission, Fueling SmallSat Deep Space Boom

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – January 09, 2026

GomSpace, a leading European small satellite provider, has secured a landmark 2.9 million EUR contract with an undisclosed major North American space company to design two advanced spacecraft for an upcoming lunar exploration mission. The deal, announced by the company's Luxembourg subsidiary, marks a significant validation of the growing trend toward using smaller, more agile satellites for complex deep-space objectives.

The contract covers the initial design phase, set to be executed in the first half of 2026. While the identity of the North American partner and the specific mission details remain confidential, the partnership underscores a pivotal shift in space exploration strategy, where the high cost and long development cycles of traditional, monolithic satellites are increasingly being supplemented by nimble, modular, and cost-effective solutions.

The SmallSat Revolution Reaches the Moon

For years, deep space has been the exclusive domain of national space agencies with multi-billion dollar budgets. This contract exemplifies a broader industry transformation, often called the 'SmallSat Revolution,' which is now extending its reach from Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. The small satellite market is projected to surge to over $30 billion by 2034, driven by technological miniaturization and a demand for faster, more affordable access to space.

This mission leverages that very trend. By opting for a small satellite platform, the project can benefit from reduced launch costs, faster development timelines, and the ability to deploy specialized technology for targeted scientific goals. GomSpace has been at the forefront of this movement, developing modular systems that allow governments, research institutions, and commercial firms to achieve sophisticated objectives without the prohibitive expense of past decades. This democratization of space is now enabling a new wave of lunar science and exploration, with a fleet of smaller, more focused missions planned by various entities globally.

Leveraging Deep-Space Heritage

This selection is not a surprise to industry observers familiar with GomSpace's established deep-space credentials. The technology for the new lunar spacecraft will be directly derived from the company's extensive experience on previous interplanetary missions, most notably the European Space Agency's (ESA) HERA/Juventas and RAMSES missions.

The Juventas mission, part of Europe's planetary defense initiative, is a testament to the company's capabilities. GomSpace developed the 6U CubeSat—a satellite roughly the size of a shoebox—which will travel aboard the HERA spacecraft to the Didymos-Dimorphos asteroid system. Set to begin its exploration in 2027, Juventas will perform the first-ever radar scan inside an asteroid, using its instruments to characterize the body's internal structure, gravity field, and surface properties. This mission showcases GomSpace's ability to design, build, and operate sophisticated small satellites capable of surviving and performing complex science in the harsh environment of deep space, millions of kilometers from Earth.

This proven heritage provides a low-risk, high-confidence foundation for the lunar mission. The ability to adapt battle-tested subsystems and operational knowledge from an asteroid mission to a lunar one demonstrates the power and flexibility of GomSpace's modular approach, significantly de-risking the new project for its North American partner.

Luxembourg's Ascent as a Space Powerhouse

The contract is also a significant victory for the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. A substantial portion of the design and engineering work will be carried out at GomSpace's Luxembourg facilities, directly boosting the nation's sovereign capabilities in designing and delivering complex space systems for exploration missions. This project reinforces Luxembourg's strategic ambition, cultivated over the past decade, to become a global hub for the commercial space industry.

Through initiatives by the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA) and a favorable policy environment, the country has successfully attracted top talent and cutting-edge companies. This contract moves beyond the nation's established strength in satellite communications and space resources, proving its growing competence in the highly demanding field of deep-space exploration. It represents a tangible return on the government's long-term investment in building a robust and diverse space ecosystem.

"We are thrilled and honored to contribute to this mission in partnership with a leading North American Space Company," said Edgar Milic, Managing Director of GomSpace Luxembourg, in the company's press release. "This partnership opens exciting possibilities for humankind, for our country, and for GomSpace."

Strategic Implications in a Bustling Lunar Arena

Financially, the 2.9 MEUR (31.7 MSEK) contract is a notable addition to GomSpace's order book, which stood at 289.4 MSEK at the end of the third quarter of 2025. More importantly, it is a strategic masterstroke, positioning the company as a key supplier in the burgeoning lunar economy. The initial design phase could pave the way for more substantial manufacturing and operational contracts in the future.

The timing is critical. The year 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for lunar activity. NASA's crewed Artemis II mission is scheduled for a lunar flyby, while a host of commercial landers under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program—from companies like Blue Origin and Firefly Aerospace—are targeting landings on the lunar surface. China also plans its Chang'e 7 mission to the lunar south pole. GomSpace's project now joins this dynamic and competitive landscape, highlighting the collaborative, international nature of the modern push to the Moon.

By partnering with a major North American player, the European firm not only diversifies its customer base but also embeds its technology within a key international exploration architecture. This deal is more than just a contract; it's a testament to how specialized European expertise and agile small satellite technology are becoming indispensable components in the global pursuit of exploring our solar system.