GomSpace has announced its participation in the LUNA (Low-loss Multiband Nanosatellite Antennas with High Gain and Mechanical Beam Steering) project, a Danish flagship initiative aimed at developing next-generation communication hardware for the SmallSat market. Supported by Innovation Fund Denmark, the three-year project seeks to overcome current limitations in nanosatellite connectivity by integrating low signal loss and high gain with advanced mechanical beam steering.

The project addresses the growing complexity of SmallSat missions, which increasingly require high-data-rate links and precise navigation within highly constrained form factors. By developing a multiband antenna capable of handling communication, navigation, and data transmission on a single integrated platform, the LUNA consortium aims to reduce integration overhead for satellite operators while significantly improving link reliability and energy efficiency.

Industrial Collaboration and Regional Excellence

LUNA is a strategic collaboration between Aalborg University (AAU), Pri-Dana Elektronik A/S, and GomSpace A/S. The partnership combines AAU’s recognized research in wireless communication and antenna design with Pri-Dana’s specialized high-reliability PCB manufacturing and GomSpace’s experience in end-to-end satellite system execution.

The initiative reinforces Denmark’s position as a center of excellence for space technology. Aalborg University recently announced a 530 million DKK investment in its Space Tech Center and Tech Lab facilities, scheduled to break ground in late 2026. This academic-industrial cluster currently supports approximately 40 companies and 1,100 staff, positioning the North Jutland region as a major European hub for nanosatellite innovation.

Technical Objectives and Performance Metrics

The LUNA project focuses on three primary technical pillars to enhance the performance of 1U to 12U satellite platforms:

• Signal Integrity: Reducing insertion loss to ensure maximum power reaches the radiated beam, critical for battery-constrained SmallSats.
• Multi-Mission Integration: Supporting simultaneous communication and navigation frequencies in a single multiband aperture.
• Intelligent Steering: Utilizing mechanical beam steering to provide high-gain connectivity without requiring the entire satellite to reorient, preserving power and mission uptime.
• Form Factor: Ensuring the high-performance array fits within standard CubeSat deployer constraints while maintaining structural rigidity for high-reliability environments.

Executive Perspective

“Participation in LUNA strengthens GomSpace’s leadership in advanced communication systems and aligns with our strategic focus on expanding our technology portfolio toward high-value, scalable solutions,” said Carsten Drachmann, CEO of GomSpace. “This project reinforces our competitive position in the global small satellite market by providing our customers with more integrated, ready-to-use communication solutions with less complexity and better performance.”

Funding and Project Timeline

The LUNA project is supported by a total budget of 21.1 million DKK over a three-year development cycle.