ArkEdge Space
Designs, manufactures, and operates micro-satellite constellations for maritime communications, earth observation, positioning, and deep space exploration
The volume of space between Earth and the Moon — increasingly contested operational space as lunar programs scale.
Cislunar space is the volume bounded by the Earth–Moon system, including transfer trajectories, Earth–Moon Lagrange points (especially L1 and L2), and Near-Rectilinear Halo Orbits (NRHO) like the one planned for the Gateway station. It excludes interplanetary space beyond lunar distance.
Cislunar is the next operational frontier after LEO. NASA's Artemis, CLPS landers, and a wave of commercial lunar comms/PNT/ISRU companies all operate here. Space domain awareness in cislunar is also becoming a defense priority.
Designs, manufactures, and operates micro-satellite constellations for maritime communications, earth observation, positioning, and deep space exploration
Develops lunar landers, rovers, surface power systems, and reusable suborbital rockets for payload delivery and infrastructure on the Moon
Develops electric and green propulsion systems for satellites and operates an orbital transfer vehicle for precise in-space deployment
Designs and manufactures chemical, electric, and hybrid propulsion systems for spacecraft ranging from cubesats to orbital transfer vehicles
Develops reusable heavy-lift launch vehicles, rocket engines, lunar landers, in-space logistics platforms, and satellite communications constellations
Governs China's civil space programs, oversees lunar and planetary exploration missions, and coordinates international space cooperation
Manufactures non-toxic green propulsion systems for satellites and operates reusable suborbital spaceplanes for research and high-speed flight
Designs and manufactures defence weapon systems, high energy laser weapons, counter-drone systems, and space domain awareness technologies
Develops cryogenic propellant management systems for in-space storage, transfer, and refueling, and liquid hydrogen infrastructure for terrestrial energy applications
Designs and operates small- and medium-lift launch vehicles, lunar landers, and in-space maneuvering vehicles for defense, civil, and commercial space missions
Develops space robotic systems for in-orbit servicing, satellite assembly, and lunar infrastructure construction
Designs, manufactures, and integrates nanosatellites and small satellite subsystems, with constellation operations and advanced mission capabilities for defense, civil, and commercial customers
Cislunar space is evolving from one of primarily scientific interest to one with more strategic importance. Alan Dugger examines one approach to better monitor the activities taking place in this region.
As the United States and China race to the Moon, both countries are considering bases in the same south polar region. Glenn Scofield discusses how this is evidence of strategic value of some parts of cislunar space.
NASA's plans for the Artemis lunar exploration campaign are largely separate from the planned transition from the International Space Station. Madhu Thangavelu describes how ISS could be more closely integrated into lunar exploration.