Astrolab Unveils LUMIS Power and Communications Node for Lunar Operations
Astrolab, designing and building the systems and hardware the lunar economy will come to depend on, led by Jaret Matthews, has introduced the Lunar Utility Module for Industrial Services (LUMIS), a lunar power, communications, and data node designed to provide energy, connectivity, and data services to customers operating on the Moon.
The announcement signals Astrolab’s expansion beyond rover development, introducing its new identity as “The Lunar Operations Company.” The broader vision brings together surface mobility, power, and connectivity infrastructure to support sustained human and robotic operations on the Moon.
Astrolab also unveiled its Lunar Operating System (LUNAR OS), an integrated platform designed to support sustained lunar operations. It combines the FLEX rover family, built for cargo transport and infrastructure deployment, with LUMIS nodes providing power, communications and data services. By integrating mobility and infrastructure, Astrolab aims to simplify lunar logistics, lower costs, and support long-term human and robotic activity on the Moon.
Astrolab founder and CEO Jaret Matthews is presenting the company's expanded strategy at UP.SUMMIT, alongside plans to display full-scale models of its lunar rovers and LUMIS node at Kennedy Space Center.
A key advantage of the approach is the FLEX rover's ability to transport and position multiple LUMIS nodes across the lunar surface, optimizing power generation and communications coverage while reducing deployment costs. Initial nodes will generate 2 kW, with future versions targeting 20 kW each. An interconnected network could eventually deliver more than 100 kW of power, supporting scalable lunar operations without relying on nuclear systems.
Delivering Power and Connectivity Where They Work Best.
Astrolab's FLEX rovers allow lunar infrastructure to be positioned independently of landing sites, optimizing solar exposure and communications coverage. This is particularly important near the Moon's south pole, where small terrain differences can significantly affect sunlight availability and visibility of Earth.
The Shackleton–de Gerlache connecting ridge highlights this opportunity, with limited direct communications access. By deploying LUMIS nodes at elevated locations such as Malapert Massif and Mons Mouton, FLEX could establish near-continuous links with Earth and extend connectivity to the ridge, more than 100 kilometers away. Additional nodes could provide local Wi-Fi and 5G services, bridging communications gaps and supporting sustained lunar operations.
Lunar Utilities: Energy, Communications and Data Services.
LUMIS combines solar power, batteries, wireless power transfer, communications systems and onboard edge computing to provide energy and connectivity across the lunar surface. Its capabilities include direct-to-Earth communications, local Wi-Fi and 5G networks, and long-range links between installations.
The nodes are designed to recharge rovers, power resource-utilization equipment, and support coordinated lunar operations. With more than 400 hours of onboard power reserves, LUMIS aims to provide infrastructure as a service through LUNAR OS, allowing customers to pay for access and usage rather than build and maintain their own systems.
Astrolab is targeting the first LUMIS deployment in 2028, aboard SpaceX's Starship as part of its previously announced commercial FLEX mission.
Expanding to Support Lunar Operations.
Astrolab plans to relocate in 2027 from Hawthorne to a new facility in Torrance, California, approximately four times larger than its current site. The facility will support manufacturing, engineering, testing, R&D, and mission control, while its Houston facility will advance LUMIS testing in a lunar analog environment.
The expansion follows Astrolab's selection to develop a crewed lunar rover for NASA's Artemis program. The company is also preparing its first lunar rover, the FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform (FLIP), for launch aboard Voyager Technologies' Griffin-1 lander as part of a NASA Moon Base mission to the lunar south pole.
Full-scale models of Astrolab's lunar rovers and LUMIS node will be showcased at UP.SUMMIT's public exhibition at Kennedy Space Center on November 7–8.
