From the images of the first Moon landing to supporting future lunar communications

The Italian Space Agency (ASI) and Telespazio, a Leonardo Group company, have signed an agreement to launch the RESPONSE programme, aimed at modernising Telespazio’s FOC-1A antenna, installed and operational since 1967 at the “Piero Fanti” Fucino Space Centre in Abruzzo.

The objective of the project is to make the facility - a 27-metre-diameter parabolic antenna -compatible with Near-Earth and Deep Space communication requirements. In addition, the antenna will be able to support, among other things, future missions related to ESA’s global tracking network for missions and satellites (ESTRACK), as well as communications with the Moon. This will be achieved both through Italy’s direct contribution to NASA’s ARTEMIS programme and through ESA’s MOONLIGHT programme for lunar communications and navigation, for which Telespazio is Prime Contractor.

Beyond its strong symbolic value - the FOC-1A antenna was the one that allowed Italians to watch the Moon landing on television in 1969 - the initiative will enable Italy to rely on assets capable of delivering excellent performance to meet the service demands of the global space market.

The development of adequate ground communication systems is a fundamental element for the success of current and future lunar missions. Without reliable links between the Moon and Earth, it would be impossible to control vehicles, transmit scientific data, ensure astronaut safety and coordinate operations in real time.

With humanity’s return to the Moon and the prospect of a permanent presence, communication systems will be required to transmit and receive large volumes of data, including high-resolution images, video, telemetry, scientific experiments and voice communications. In this context, lunar communications are not merely a technical support, but a true strategic infrastructure, essential to transforming the Moon into a scientific laboratory and a launchpad for the exploration of Mars and deep space.