The skeleton of the first space station in orbit around the Moon, the “Gateway”, was unveiled by NASA on Wednesday. In 2028, the first astronauts of the Artemis program, whose objective is to bring a team to the lunar surface, will take up residence there.
The Moon’s south pole region will no longer hold any secrets for residents of the Gateway space station. On Wednesday June 25, NASA shared a 3D animation that shows the modules and structural components of the lunar orbital outpost from different exterior angles. A residence as comfortable as it is useful for space exploration.
The most powerful solar-powered spacecraft ever flown
In its presentation, NASA explains that Gateway will use solar energy to power its subsystems. The atmospheric gas xenon will be converted into electricity through a process of ionization, a phenomenon that will allow the space station to maintain its unique polar orbit around the Moon.
From the HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost), the Gateway’s command and control center, where astronauts will live and have the opportunity to communicate with Earth from the lunar surface. The exchanges will be possible thanks to the “Lunar Link” system, whose construction began in France thanks to the satellite manufacturer Thales Alenia Space, then supplied to Gateway by the European Space Agency (ESA).
This autonomous command and control center, equipped with its own computers, radio equipment and antennas, will enable communication between the Gateway and the lunar rovers, landers and satellites located on and around the Moon.
A breathtaking view of the Moon
The European Space Agency is very involved in the construction of Gateway. Thanks to material contributions exchanged with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, the creation of the Lunar I-Hab module was made possible. This block will be one of those that will be habitable by cosmonauts, housing within it environmental control and survival systems, in addition to dormitories and a kitchen.
As for the astronaut team’s provisions, the Lunar View, still provided by ESA, will be equipped with refuelling capabilities for the power and propulsion element.
Cargo storage, adequate to save space and maximize supply chain efficiency, will also be available to space explorers. Within this module, cosmonauts will have the privilege of enjoying large portholes, offering an unparalleled view of the surface of the Moon.
It is the Deep Space Logistics spacecraft that will transport astronauts from the cargo storage space, located within the Lunar View, to Gateway.
The study of solar and cosmic radiation
Gateway’s first scientific payloads will study solar and cosmic radiation in particular. Although the phenomenon is little known, it is a major concern for professionals who study deep space, particularly Mars.
In the computer-generated images shared by NASA, the visible payloads are ERSA (European Radiation Sensors Array), provided by ESA and attached to the power and propulsion element, but also HERMES (Heliophysics Environmental and Radiation Measurement Experiment Suite), led by NASA and attached to the HALO command and control center. A third payload, the IDA (Internal Dosimeter Array), provided by ESA and JAXA, will also be placed inside the HALO.
If the Artemis program is experiencing delays, with the postponement of the first manned flight, Artemis II, to September 2025 and the postponement of the return of astronauts to the Moon with Artemis III to September 2026, the construction of the first lunar orbital outpost, Gateway, is making great progress.
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