Suitcase-sized CosmoCube satellite to listen for the universe before stars

The UK-built CosmoCube spacecraft, about the size of a carry-on suitcase, will orbit the Moon to search for the 21-cm hydrogen signal from the era before the first stars. The lunar far side will block Earth's radio interference for roughly 40 minutes per two-hour orbit, allowing about 1,000 hours of observations at 10–50 MHz over a two-year mission. Funded by the UK Space Agency, the mission targets a launch within five years at a cost below €50 million.

• CosmoCube, the size of a carry-on suitcase, will hunt a 21-cm signal older than 13.5 billion years
• The Moon blocks Earth's radio noise for about 40 minutes per two-hour orbit
• The two-year mission aims to collect about 1,000 hours of data at 10–50 MHz
• Launch is expected within five years, with a mission cost below €50 million