ABB has been awarded a contract by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to conceptualize an Autonomous Lunar Exploration Infrared Spectrometer (ALExIS) for Canada’s upcoming Lunar Utility Rover. The rover is being developed as part of Canada’s contribution to international lunar exploration missions.
Under the contract, ABB will adapt its Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy technology—currently used continuously in demanding industrial applications worldwide—for operation in the unique and harsh lunar environment. The ALExIS instrument will be designed to capture molecular spectral signatures across wavelengths ranging from the visible edge of the spectrum to thermal infrared.
Although the Moon’s surface appears uniformly dusty, its regolith contains essential elements required for sustained human presence, including oxygen, silicon, iron, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, and even water ice. These elements exist within chemical compounds and are unevenly distributed, making rover-based exploration a critical step in identifying usable lunar resources.
ALExIS will analyze how infrared light interacts with lunar soil to determine its chemical makeup and map the distribution of key elements. The resulting data will help scientists gain deeper insights into the Moon’s surface composition and geological characteristics.
Marc Corriveau, General Manager of ABB’s Measurement & Analytics division in Canada, said
“Participating in this next phase of lunar exploration is a tremendous honor for ABB. Our FTIR technology has proven its precision and reliability in some of the most challenging industrial environments on Earth, and we are excited to extend that performance to support exploration of the Moon.”
ABB engineers will work closely with lunar exploration specialists and rover developers to define optimal use cases and operational concepts for the instrument. The company will also contribute to planning future development stages, including performance targets and cost considerations.
ABB’s interferometer technology has a strong heritage in space applications. A notable example is ABB’s FTIR instrument aboard CSA’s SciSat satellite, which has operated for more than 22 years and continues to provide invaluable atmospheric data to the global scientific community. More recently, ABB evaluated adaptations of its methane detection technology for potential use on the Martian surface and earlier this year secured another CSA contract for the TICFIRE imaging system aimed at advancing global climate monitoring.
This lunar rover project further demonstrates ABB’s long-standing commitment to space innovation and highlights the work of its 220-member engineering team dedicated to space technologies at its Quebec City facility. A recognized leader in optical satellite instrumentation, ABB currently has 45 customized optical payloads operating aboard 29 satellites, supporting environmental monitoring and scientific research worldwide.
ABB is a global leader in electrification and automation, helping industries operate more efficiently and sustainably through advanced engineering and digital solutions. With more than 140 years of history and approximately 110,000 employees globally, ABB operates under the philosophy of being “Engineered to Outrun.”
ABB is a global leader in electrification and automation, with a workforce of around 110,000 employees and more than 140 years of industrial heritage. Its shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and Nasdaq Stockholm.
