Sidus Space unveils LunarLizzie satellite platform for autonomous lunar operations
Questions and answers:
What is the LunarLizzie satellite designed to do? LunarLizzie is designed to support autonomous lunar and cislunar operations, providing terrain analysis, environmental sensing, and near real-time telemetry for science and national security missions.
What technologies are integrated into LunarLizzie? The satellite will feature LiDAR, hyperspectral imaging, radiation-hardened FPGAs, edge computing, and secure AI-enabled communications systems.
Who is developing the LunarLizzie satellite? Sidus Space Inc., based in Merritt Island, Fla., is developing, integrating, and operating the satellite entirely in-house.
MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. - Sidus Space Inc. of Merritt Island, Fla., has announced the development of LunarLizzie, a satellite platform designed for autonomous operations in lunar and cislunar space. The spacecraft is expected to support scientific, commercial, and national security payloads with a mass of up to 800 kilograms.
According to Sidus, LunarLizzie is engineered to deliver near real-time terrain intelligence and environmental awareness for lunar missions. The satellite features integrated LiDAR, hyperspectral imaging, and artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled navigation, along with autonomous edge computing to reduce reliance on Earth-based ground stations.
The platform includes the company’s proprietary FeatherEdge 248Vi onboard processor, part of the Fortis VPX architecture derived from its LizzieSat program. The system is designed to support in-flight reprogrammable, radiation-hardened FPGAs, MIL-spec temperature operation, and high redundancy for extended reliability.
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AI enabled
LunarLizzie will also incorporate a secure, AI-optimized communications pipeline designed to transmit continuous telemetry from lunar sensors to mission control. Sidus says the system is capable of detecting terrain shifts, dust activity, and other surface hazards in near real time. Additional capabilities include adaptive tasking to support both robotic and crewed lunar operations.
The satellite is expected to be developed, integrated, and operated entirely in-house as part of Sidus’ vertically integrated space infrastructure. Mission oversight and data operations will be handled by the company’s Mission Control Center in Merritt Island.
"LunarLizzie isn’t just another satellite - it is designed for the unique challenges and complexities of lunar exploration," said Carol Craig, founder and CEO of Sidus Space.
While no launch timeline or specific government partnerships were disclosed, the company has stated that LunarLizzie is intended to meet the demands of agencies, commercial partners, and national security customers focused on sustained lunar presence and infrastructure development.
