Lunar Outpost: technology in space, impact on earth

“When it comes to understanding our universe and what’s around us, the better we understand where we live, the better our understanding of where we fit into it,” says Julian Cyrus, President of Lunar Outpost. “From a long-term perspective, in terms of the sustainment of the human species, being able to reach out into the universe and establish ourselves off of earth could provide longevity and stress our planet less.”

SUPER-ROVERS

Based in Luxembourg, Lunar Outpost is an advanced technology company with a focus on developing technologies that have both earth and space applications. “Our expertise is in designing and developing autonomous robotic systems to survive and operate in extra-terrestrial and extreme environments,” he says. In late 2023 the company is hoping to participate with its robotic platforms and space vehicles in a mission going to the moon. “The rovers’ primary mission is to carry important payloads on the moon. From facilitating analysis of the lunar soil (regolith), to testing communication infrastructure capabilities, the rovers benefit from autonomous capabilities, mapping the environment around them, taking in information, learning and adapting with machine learning to make decisions on that basis - all in a very harsh environment. Our long-term presence in space requires technologies that will enable systems to survive.”

SETTING UP IN LUXEMBOURG

Founded in 2017 in Colorado, USA, the company recently opened its European branch, teaming up with the Luxembourg Space Agency to work specifically on thermal control and energy storage technologies. “Luxembourg is very unique as a hub, given the high concentration of space-related start-ups here. I think they really recognise the future of the industry, and that says something about its potential. In Europe, in general, there is a lot of growth potential. Being part of this growing ecosystem, helping other companies to realise their ambitions in the lunar ecosystem is a real opportunity for us,” Julian explains.

STRONG GROWTH TRAJECTORY

The company’s fund-raising efforts were boosted in early 2022, with an equity investment from Orbital Ventures, a venture capital fund backed by the EIF. “We doubled in size, further developed our technology for space and our rovers, and invested in our facilities.” But fund-raising hasn’t always been straight-forward: “When we first started, private investors were not very interested in lunar operations. We saw that change with time. It has increased significantly since then, and soon we will have something ‘made in Luxembourg’ on the moon.”

Location: Luxembourg

Financial Intermediary: Orbital Ventures

Beneficiary:  Lunar Outpost

Studies: space

EIF financing: InnovFin Equity; EGF

For further information about EIF intermediaries in Luxembourg, please refer to: http://www.eif.org/what_we_do/where/lu