)The next time astronauts step onto the Moon, viewers will experience it in stunning high-definition color and at up to 60 frames per second. This marks a significant leap forward from the grainy black-and-white images broadcast during the Apollo missions.
ESA and its partner, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), are determined to ensure the best possible video coverage of future lunar exped by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Jun 03, 2025
)The next time astronauts step onto the Moon, viewers will experience it in stunning high-definition color and at up to 60 frames per second. This marks a significant leap forward from the grainy black-and-white images broadcast during the Apollo missions.
ESA and its partner, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), are determined to ensure the best possible video coverage of future lunar expeditions, despite challenges such as lunar dust, signal delays, and limited bandwidth. To prepare, they conducted a simulated Moonwalk at the LUNA facility in Germany, capturing a range of realistic test clips. These included astronauts exiting the landing module, exploring the surface, and even snapping a lunar selfie.
"This was not about faking Moon footage," emphasized ESA imagery experts. Instead, the tests focused on producing video that meets both scientific goals and public expectations while using bandwidth efficiently. Scenes with dynamic movement-known as "encoder killers"-were carefully evaluated to minimize data loss.
Experts from 28 nations, working under the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS), are developing international standards for space video encoding. "These efforts should help agencies and companies create a ground truth for video applications and equipment," explained Falk Schiffner of DLR.
ESA's Melanie Cowan described filming at the LUNA facility as a unique experience. "I had a glimpse of what it may be like on the Moon," she said. The team experimented with sun simulators to mimic lunar lighting and tested the impact of shadows cast by rocks and craters. "Early tests revealed that HDR video will provide more detail in shadow areas on the lunar surface," she added.
Transmitting high-definition video from the Moon is no easy feat. Equipment must be lightweight, energy-efficient, and withstand harsh temperatures. The Apollo missions managed with 20 watts of transmitter power and relied on Earth's Deep Space Network to receive the signal. Modern equipment faces similar challenges-signal delays and power limitations persist.
ESA's Moonlight programme aims to ease these constraints by deploying a constellation of five lunar satellites, including one dedicated to high data rate communications, to enhance the connection between the Moon and Earth.
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