SPACE INDEX

Cislunar

ORBIT 39 in index

The volume of space between Earth and the Moon — increasingly contested operational space as lunar programs scale.

DEFINITION

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.

WHY IT MATTERS

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.

WHERE YOU'LL SEE IT
  • Lunar landers (CLPS providers)
  • Lunar comms/PNT relays
  • Gateway-resupply logistics

Companies working with Cislunar

VIEW ALL 39 →
ArkEdge Space logo

ArkEdge Space

OPERATING
JPNEST. 2018

Designs, manufactures, and operates micro-satellite constellations for maritime communications, earth observation, positioning, and deep space exploration

Satellite CommunicationsSatellite ManufacturingNavigation & Positioning
Tokyo, Japan
EXPLORE
Astrobotic Technology logo

Astrobotic Technology

OPERATING
USAEST. 2007

Develops lunar landers, rovers, surface power systems, and reusable suborbital rockets for payload delivery and infrastructure on the Moon

Satellite ManufacturingLunar ServicesSuborbital & High-Altitude
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
EXPLORE
Bellatrix Aerospace logo

Bellatrix Aerospace

OPERATING
INDEST. 2015

Develops electric and green propulsion systems for satellites and operates an orbital transfer vehicle for precise in-space deployment

Space Transportation & LogisticsSpace PropulsionSatellite Components & Subsystems
Bengaluru, India
EXPLORE
Benchmark Space Systems logo

Benchmark Space Systems

OPERATING
USAEST. 2017

Designs and manufactures chemical, electric, and hybrid propulsion systems for spacecraft ranging from cubesats to orbital transfer vehicles

Space Transportation & LogisticsSpace PropulsionSpace Sustainability & Debris Removal
Burlington, Vermont
EXPLORE
Blue Origin logo

Blue Origin

OPERATING
USAEST. 2000

Develops reusable heavy-lift launch vehicles, rocket engines, lunar landers, in-space logistics platforms, and satellite communications constellations

Launch ServicesLunar ServicesSpace Propulsion
Kent, Washington
EXPLORE
China National Space Administration logo

China National Space Administration

OPERATING
CHNEST. 1993

Governs China's civil space programs, oversees lunar and planetary exploration missions, and coordinates international space cooperation

Launch ServicesNavigation & PositioningPlanetary Exploration
Beijing, China
EXPLORE
Dawn Aerospace logo

Dawn Aerospace

OPERATING
NZLEST. 2017

Manufactures non-toxic green propulsion systems for satellites and operates reusable suborbital spaceplanes for research and high-speed flight

Space Transportation & LogisticsSpace PropulsionSuborbital & High-Altitude
Christchurch, New Zealand
EXPLORE
Electro Optic Systems logo

Electro Optic Systems

OPERATING
AUSEST. 1985

Designs and manufactures defence weapon systems, high energy laser weapons, counter-drone systems, and space domain awareness technologies

Ground Segment & NetworksSpace Defense SystemsSpace Domain Awareness
Symonston, Australia
EXPLORE
Eta Space logo

Eta Space

OPERATING
USAEST. 2019

Develops cryogenic propellant management systems for in-space storage, transfer, and refueling, and liquid hydrogen infrastructure for terrestrial energy applications

Space Transportation & LogisticsLunar ServicesSpace Propulsion
Rockledge, Florida
EXPLORE
Firefly Aerospace logo

Firefly Aerospace

OPERATING
USAEST. 2017

Designs and operates small- and medium-lift launch vehicles, lunar landers, and in-space maneuvering vehicles for defense, civil, and commercial space missions

Launch ServicesSpace Transportation & LogisticsLunar Services
Leander, Texas
EXPLORE
GITAI logo

GITAI

OPERATING
USAEST. 2016

Develops space robotic systems for in-orbit servicing, satellite assembly, and lunar infrastructure construction

Satellite ManufacturingLunar ServicesIn-Orbit Servicing & Assembly
Torrance, California
EXPLORE
GomSpace logo

GomSpace

OPERATING
DNKEST. 2007

Designs, manufactures, and integrates nanosatellites and small satellite subsystems, with constellation operations and advanced mission capabilities for defense, civil, and commercial customers

Satellite ManufacturingSatellite Components & SubsystemsSpace Software & Mission Tools
Aalborg East, Denmark
EXPLORE
RECENT MENTIONS MORE NEWS →
The Space Review2026-04-27

A Fortress Moon for cislunar security

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.

The Space Review2026-04-13

Strategic celestography and lunar competition: Artemis, CLEP, and the struggle for positional advantage

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.

The Space Review2026-03-16

Artemis via the ISS? A breakout opportunity for kickstarting a sustainable cislunar economy

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.

RELATED TERMS

Part of the Space Industry Glossary. 28 terms, each linked to live company and news data.