From moon’s far side, a satellite to look for the first radio signal
Scientists from the Royal Astronomical Society are developing a satellite called CosmoCube to study the early universe from the far side of the moon. By using the moon as a shield against Earth's radio interference, the satellite aims to detect faint signals from neutral hydrogen atoms dating back to the universe's infancy.
Why it matters
This mission could provide unprecedented data on the 'dark ages' of the universe, helping cosmologists understand how the first stars and galaxies were formed.
Cosmologists are literally over the moon at the prospect of listening to the universe telling its story like never before.
At the heart of this excitement is a small satellite named CosmoCube, which scientists from the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) plan to send to the far side of the moon, which permanently faces away from the earth.
Expected to be launched before the end of this decade, CosmoCube will orbit the moon and use it as a natural shield from radio interference generated on the earth.
The compact satellite will have around 40 minutes on the lunar far side during its orbit every two hours, when it will be cut off from all radio noise from the earth. This is when it can capture ultra-faint cosmic signals, particularly one emitted by neutral hydrogen atoms — the most abundant element in space.
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