Twardowski
Commissioned by: European Space Agency (ESA)
Creotech's role: prime contractor and consortium leader
Mission Class: Small Mission to the Moon
Goal: deploy a HyperSat-based satellite into low lunar orbit by 2029
Twardowski is the first fully European lunar mission since SMART-1, that is, for over 20 years. Its aim is to gain a detailed understanding of the Moon’s resources, without which it would be difficult to envisage permanent research bases on its surface. Oxygen, water, energy and building materials must be sourced locally, as transporting them from Earth is too costly.
In 2029, a satellite based on the HyperSat platform is due to reach low lunar orbit and carry out global imaging of the Moon’s surface in the visible and infrared (VIS–MIR) spectrum, with high spatial and spectral resolution. The data collected will be used to map mineral resources and assess potential landing sites for international exploration programmes, including Artemis.
Creotech Instruments is the prime contractor for the mission and is responsible for the satellite platform, system architecture and overall integration. We are carrying out the mission in collaboration with industrial and scientific partners from Poland and Europe. Phase A follows on from Phase 0, which we completed in 2025, and prepares the mission for the next stages of development.