\u201cThe standard suggestion for such a situation is to fit the rover with nuclear-based radioisotope thermoelectric generators.\u201d Adding that such systems raise issues related to cost, engineering complexity, and heat management.<\/p>\n
That heat can become a real issue. As explained by the released, published by ESA<\/a>,rover that stays warm enough to function might end up affecting the ice it is supposed to study. A laser changes that setup by sending energy from a distance, limiting thermal impact on the local environment.<\/p>\n The concept builds on experiments conducted on Earth, where lasers have been used to keep drones flying for long periods. Applying this method on the Moon<\/a> means adapting it to long-range transmission and much harsher conditions.<\/p>\n How The PHILIP System Works<\/p>\n The project, named PHILIP (powering rovers by high intensity laser induction on planets), was developed by Leonardo <\/a>and Romania\u2019s National Institute for Research and Development for Optoelectronics <\/a>under ESA funding.<\/p>\n As reported by the European Space Agency, the mission would place a lander in a near-constant sunlight zone between de Gerlache and Shackleton craters. From there, a 500-watt infrared laser would continuously target a 250 kg rover as it moves into shadow.<\/p>\n The rover would convert the laser beam<\/a> into electricity using modified solar panels. Sensors help maintain precise alignment, down to the centimeter. The route is also carefully planned, with slopes of about 10 degrees to ensure the rover <\/a>always stays in direct line of sight.<\/p>\n Simulating the Moon to Test Communication Systems<\/p>\n The laser would not only supply energy. It could also handle communication. A retro-reflector on the rover would send modulated signals back to the lander through reflected light, enabling two-way data exchange.<\/p>\n Tests have already taken place, including field trials in Tenerife under night conditions similar to those on the Moon. These experiments helped validate how the rover could navigate and operate in low visibility.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the PHILIP project completed, we are one step closer to powering rovers with lasers to explore the dark parts of the Moon. We\u2019re at the stage where prototyping and testing could begin, undertaken by follow-up ESA technology programmes,\u201d stated Van Winnendael.<\/p>\n The project is still at the study stage, with prototyping expected next. If successful, this approach could open access to parts of the Moon that have remained unexplored until now.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A European concept proposes using a laser beam to power a rover deep inside the Moon\u2019s permanently shadowed…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":397459,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[111,139,69,147,392],"class_list":["post-397458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-space","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-science","tag-space"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/397458","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=397458"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/397458\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/397459"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=397458"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=397458"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=397458"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/A-map-of-the-proposed-landing-site-adjacent-to-Shackleton-crater-which-appears-as-the-big-dark-ring-.webp\")
A map of the proposed landing site adjacent to Shackleton crater, which appears as the big dark ring on the right. Credit: ESA\/Leonardo<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/A-schematic-of-lander\u2011to\u2011rover-wireless-power-transfer-using-an-infrared-laser-and-rover\u2011to\u2011lander-o.webp\"){kind=spacer}
A schematic of lander\u2011to\u2011rover wireless power transfer using an infrared laser, and rover\u2011to\u2011lander optical communication via a modulating retro\u2011reflector. Credit: ESA\/Leonardo<\/p>\n