On October 12, 2026, Luxembourg-based ispace-EUROPE S.A. and Italian space engineering firm ALTEC S.p.A. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on lunar rover testing, mission simulations, and operator training.
Executed during the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Antalya, Türkiye, the agreement establishes a framework to evaluate ispace-EUROPE’s use of ALTEC’s specialized testing facilities in Turin, Italy, to simulate robotic surface operations in analogue lunar environments.
Analog Testing Infrastructure and Simulation Capabilities
Under the terms of the agreement, ispace-EUROPE and ALTEC will conduct feasibility assessments to support functional testing of lunar rover platforms, ancillary subsystems, and mobility payloads. The joint activities encompass system-level verification, operator rehearsals, and targeted training campaigns for ispace-EUROPE’s mission operations team.
The testing campaign will utilize ALTEC’s planetary operations infrastructure in Turin. Owned jointly by Thales Alenia Space and the Italian Space Agency (ASI), ALTEC operates the Rover Operations Control Centre (ROCC), built for ESA’s ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover. Additionally, ALTEC is constructing an ASI-funded Lunar Simulation Centre designed to replicate lunar surface soil mechanics, lighting conditions, and thermal environments for robotic exploration.
Executive Perspectives
Company leadership highlighted the importance of European testing infrastructure as commercial lunar missions scale.
“Testing, simulation and operator training in analogue lunar environments are essential to successful lunar surface operations,” stated Julien-Alexandre Lamamy, CEO of ispace-EUROPE. “By working with leading partners across Europe, like ALTEC, we can accelerate the development of robust, operationally ready rover systems that support future science, exploration and space resource utilisation missions on the Moon.”
“The development of our new Lunar Simulation Centre, funded by the Italian Space Agency, will provide an important platform for testing, simulation and operational support of robotic lunar missions,” added Vincenzo Giorgio, CEO of ALTEC.
Operational Roadmap for Lunar Mobility
The collaboration provides ispace-EUROPE with access to European simulation assets as the company advances its family of surface rovers following ispace’s commercial lunar lander deployments. The initial phase of joint technical evaluations will focus on verifying subsystem interfaces and operational protocols ahead of scheduled lunar surface missions.
