Australian Astronomical Optics at Macquarie University (AAO-Macquarie) will build a new optical multi-beam laser collimator that will land on the moon as a part of a $5.2 million Advanced Navigation project funded by the Federal Government’s Moon to Mars Initiative Demonstrator Mission Grants program.

“We will be creating a series of four telescopes that will send out laser signals and detect the reflected laser light that bounces off the lunar surface,” explains Associate Professor Lee Spitler (pictured below), who is currently leading space-related projects at AAO-Macquarie. “We are thrilled to be drawing on our expertise in the area of astronomical instrumentation and developing this essential component for future explorations of space.”

The AAO-Macquarie team will create a critical component for landers from 2025-26, enabling exploration of unreached regions of the Moon and beyond to Mars.

Learn more about the project on the Advanced Navigation website >