Portuguese company is developing technology for future missions to the Moon

Spin.Works is developing a smart instrument designed to enhance the safety and accuracy of future lunar missions. The solution, supported by COMPETE 2030, could be integrated into international missions as early as 2028.

Portugal is making its mark in the new lunar economy

Lunar exploration has returned to the forefront of the international agenda. Space agencies and private companies are launching an increasing number of missions, whilst demand is growing for technologies capable of making these operations safer, more efficient and more reliable.

It is against this backdrop that the iDLS-Demo – Intelligent Instrument for Planetary Descent and Landing Support – Development and Qualification for a Lunar Mission, promoted by Spin.Works and co-funded by COMPETE 2030, has emerged.

The project aims to develop a smart instrument to support the critical descent and landing phases on the lunar surface. To this end, it combines space-qualified hardware with advanced visual navigation algorithms, creating a solution ready for integration into future missions. Furthermore, the technology has been designed to function as a standalone component, thereby reducing the technical complexity and costs associated with the development of navigation systems for space missions.

A technology with global ambitions

The space exploration market is experiencing a new cycle of growth. Consequently, there is also a growing need for solutions that ensure greater reliability in operations carried out beyond Earth. iDLS-Demo addresses precisely this challenge. The solution will support both private and institutional missions, improving the accuracy of landings and significantly reducing operational risk. At the same time, it simplifies the integration of this technology into different space platforms, making it more accessible to future operators.

According to Tiago Hormigo, Head of Space Business Development at Spin.Works, the project stems “from the desire to develop a miniaturised and innovative solution for satellite pointing systems, with the potential for use in contexts as demanding as quantum key distribution”.

He adds that the aim is to provide “an integrated hardware and software system that can be installed on board any mission” to improve accuracy and safety, whilst keeping weight, power consumption and cost requirements to a minimum.

From research to the market

The project is based on expertise developed over several years by Spin.Works, notably in collaboration with the European Space Agency, and draws on technology that has already been validated in orbit. This technological foundation makes it possible to accelerate the development of the new solution and reduce the risk associated with its future use in real missions.

Once the project is complete, the instrument is set to be integrated into an international lunar exploration mission, marking a decisive step towards its entry into the market. As Tiago Hormigo notes, “following the completion of the project in 2027, the first test on an actual lunar landing mission, in preparation for its commercial launch, is expected to take place in 2028/9”.

Portuguese innovation with an international reach

Support from COMPETE 2030 plays a decisive role in realising this technological ambition. “Support from COMPETE 2030 plays an essential role, enabling us to make more solid progress in the development and validation of the technology, reducing barriers and creating the conditions to achieve ambitious goals,” emphasises Tiago Hormigo.

By investing in a solution designed for the growing lunar exploration market, Spin.Works is strengthening Portugal’s position in a highly specialised and rapidly expanding industry. At the same time, it demonstrates how research carried out in the country can be transformed into technology with the potential to form part of some of the most demanding space missions of the coming decade.