Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales Alenia Space and ESA sign contract amendment to extend and optimize ESPRIT module
Milan, October 14, 2024 - Thales Alenia Space, the joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has signed an amendment to its contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop the ESPRIT[1] communications and refueling module for the future Lunar Gateway orbital outpost. Worth 164 million, the amendment provides for extending and optimizing the ESPRIT module for which Thales Alenia Space in France is the prime contractor, in collaboration with OHB, alongside Thales Alenia Space in Italy and in the UK.
ESPRIT module on the Gateway Thales Alenia Space
The ESPRIT module is composed of two main elements: Lunar Link[2] will ensure communications between the Gateway and the Moon, while Lunar View[3] will supply the station with xenon and chemical propellants to extend its lifetime. Lunar View features a pressurized volume with six large windows, offering a 360 view on the outside of the Gateway and the Moon, and will include a logistics area for storing cargo and supplies intended for the crew.
This amendment to the ESPRIT contract provides for a significant increase in the size of Lunar View, which will now span 4.6 meters and be 6.4 meters long, with a total mass of 10 metric tons (versus 3.4 meters, 3 meters and 6 metric tons initially). This evolution is the result of NASA's choice to launch Lunar View alongside a crewed Orion vehicle aboard the SLS Block 1B launcher, which offers more lift capacity than the launch vehicle previously planned.
In particular, the extended Lunar View will:
Provide more storage space (6.5 m3) on-orbit and accommodate up to 1.5 metric tons of cargo at launch, thus reducing resupply flights to the Lunar Gateway;
Enable installation of two attachment points to accommodate the Canadarm3 mobile robotic arm system, supplied by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), for operations such as inspecting, maintaining or repairing the Gateway, assisting astronauts during spacewalks, handling science experiments in lunar orbit, or catching spacecraft visiting the Gateway;
House the avionics suite equipment (computer, etc.) inside the module for easier maintenance and to avoid extravehicular activities if repairs are required.
These upgrades will require all of Lunar View's subsystems to be adapted, especially the electrical power and avionics subsystems and the software and crew interface equipment.
Lunar Link is scheduled to launch in 2026 with the HALO module, while Lunar View is planned for delivery in 2029 for launch a year later, on the Artemis V mission.
I would like to thank ESA for supporting our industry and renewing its trust in our company's expertise, said Herv Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space. Thanks to the perfect complementarity of our competences in Italy and in France, we are proud to be contributing our know-how to the Artemis program and to the Lunar Gateway orbital outpost, which are set to push the boundaries of lunar exploration and pave the way for future crewed deep-space exploration missions, with Mars in sight.
This contract consolidates Thales Alenia Space's key role in crewed and robotic exploration of the Moon and deep space. The company is supplying critical systems for the Orion capsule's European Service Module (ESM) and is currently developing two more pressurized modules for the Lunar Gateway: the Lunar International Habitat module (I-HAB) for ESA and the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) for Northrop Grumman. Thales Alenia Space has also signed a major contract with the Italian space agency ASI to launch the project to build the very first lunar Multi-Purpose Habitat (MPH).
Industrial contributions to the ESPRIT module
Thales Alenia Space in France is the program prime contractor. Thales Alenia Space in Italy is supplying the pressurized tunnel and windows and Thales Alenia Space in the UK is contributing to the chemical propellant refueling system, while OHB - as a main team member - is in charge of the mechanical and thermal subsystems for the non-pressurized parts of the module and the xenon refueling system. Thales Alenia Space in Belgium was selected after competitive bidding to supply the Remote Interface & Distribution Unit for Lunar Link and the Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers. Thales Alenia Space in Spain will develop the S-band communication transponder and Thales Alenia Space in Italy the K-band transponder.
A cislunar orbital station
The Lunar Gateway orbital outpost is one of the pillars of NASA's Artemis program to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon as a staging post for future interplanetary exploration missions. This program is an international collaboration between NASA (United States), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan) and CSA (Canada). The 40-metric-ton station will be assembled in space and placed in an elliptical lunar orbit. It will be equipped with a robotic arm and docking ports, and made up of habitation modules to accommodate long-duration crewed missions and provide electrical power, propulsion, logistics and communications. While not designed to be manned permanently, it will be able to support up to four astronauts for one to three months. Acquiring new experience on and around the Moon will prepare NASA to send the first humans to Mars in the years ahead, and the Lunar Gateway is set to play a vital role in this endeavor.
[1] European System Providing Refueling, Infrastructure and Telecommunications
[2] Previously HLCS (HALO Lunar Communication System)
[3] Previously ERM (ESPRIT Refueling Module)
ABOUT THALES ALENIA SPACE
Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, E
Most recent headlines
17/02/2025
TVBEurope talks to the team who brought a piece of broadcasting history back to life on BBC Wales last night
By Jenny Priestley
Published: February 14, 2025 ...
17/02/2025
Eligible studios will receive the relief directly from their local authorities, with no need to submit a claim
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 17, 20...
17/02/2025
As DEI initiatives come under pressure in the USA, supporters of Rise, which promotes diversity in the media and entertainment sector, discuss the continuing im...
17/02/2025
EIB Global loan will partially fund SES's continued O3b mPOWER medium earth orbit (MEO) fleet expansion enabling additional capacity worldwide. O3b mPOWER s...
15/02/2025
At Nielsen, Business Resource Groups (BRGs) play a critical role in nurturing a ...
15/02/2025
Innovation to empower creativity: Explore the latest in Lightroom
Rob Christensen February 15, 2025
0 Comments
Whether you want to remove distracting ...
15/02/2025
Wisycom, a worldwide leader in RF technology and provider of wireless solutions, announces a new distribution agreement with EQUAPHON. An Argentinian profession...
15/02/2025
DPA Microphones, the leading manufacturer of high-quality microphone solutions, is pleased to welcome Nicholas Nick Mariano and Vincent Vince Divine to the ...
15/02/2025
Tuxera, a leading provider of quality-assured file systems and networking solutions, will showcase how Tuxera Fusion SMB enables unprecedented performance for m...
15/02/2025
Bitmovin's latest Video Developer Report indicates an increasing role of AI, the slow adoption of next-generation codecs, and continuing challenges when it ...
15/02/2025
When Michelin Enterprises set out to promote its prestigious Hotel Guide in the new Sleepless in the Kitchen , campaign, veteran German/Slovenian gaffer Robert...
15/02/2025
Formula E, the world's first all-electric racing series, revolutionizing motorsport with cutting-edge technology and a commitment to sustainability has sele...
15/02/2025
Agile Content, a global leader in TV and video technology solutions, announces its rebranding to AgileTV.
The transition to AgileTV stems from a commitment to ...
15/02/2025
Hiltron Communications will promote the latest additions to its range of satellite communication products, systems and supporting services at GovSatCom 2025. Th...
15/02/2025
Following the success of the original Airglow Booklight, DoPchoice debuts a new addition to their inflatable line the Float. This lightweight, inflatable, round...
15/02/2025
LAS VEGAS Marshall Electronics has announced that it will debut its newest camera controller, the RCP Plus, at the 2025 NAB Show at Booth N2649 between April 5 ...
15/02/2025
ATLANTA Gray Media has named Blake Sebo as the next general manager of KTUU and KYES, Gray's NBC and CBS affiliates in Anchorage, Alaska....
15/02/2025
KOKKEDAL, Denmark DPA Microphones will feature its new CORE+ technology for distortion-free microphone sound at the 2025 NAB Show, April 5-9, in Las Vegas....
15/02/2025
SWANSEA, U.K. QuickLink will launch StudioPro-NDI and StudioPro-3, two new models of its QuickLine StudioPro video production platform, at the 2025 NAB Show, Ap...
15/02/2025
Live From 2025 NBA All-Star Game Weekend: After 25 Years, Turner Sports All-In F...
15/02/2025
NASCAR Driver Cam on Max Embraces Cloud-Based Workflow for 2025 Season Chris Brown of WBD Sports says Mobii will play key part in delivering signals from the tr...
14/02/2025
Last month, we officially launched the Spotify Partner Program, a powerful new m...
14/02/2025
From an island off the coast of Lutruwita to the global stage in France SBS & ...
14/02/2025
The future of electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) land systems is evolving so that ...
14/02/2025
Here are 5 reasons why you should attend ISE 2025
Discover more about Calrec: Learn more about Calrec's legacy of innovation in broadcast audio solutions ...
14/02/2025
World Radio Day: On the same wavelength
By Graham Murray, International Sales Manager at Calrec
To mark World Radio Day, Calrec's International Sales Ma...
14/02/2025
DALLAS and TYSONS, Va. Tegna has concluded a broadcast rights agreement that makes Tegna's KFAA in Dallas the exclusive local television partner of the Dall...
14/02/2025
Amazon's Prime Video has released a new app for Apple TV that the streamer said delivers an improved streaming experiences with faster scrolling, improved s...
14/02/2025
CLEVELAND Telos Alliance announced a software update for its Axia Quasar XR and SR line of audio-over-IP (AoIP) mixing consoles and will show the offering at th...
14/02/2025
Puget Systems Returns to HPA Tech Retreat 2025 with New Analysis Tools for Puge...
14/02/2025
Glass Animals: Tour of Earth Uses Blackmagic Live Production Workflow
Brie Clayton February 14, 2025
0 Comments
80six deploys Blackmagic URSA Broadcas...
14/02/2025
A dispute between Paramount and Youtube TV that would have pulled CBS stations and Paramount's cable channels from the streaming service has been temporaril...
14/02/2025
Colourist Deidre (Dee) McClelland details how she helped shape the distinct look and feel of whimsical Oscar-nominated stop-motion film, Memoir of a Snail
By C...
14/02/2025
BitFire said it intends to introduce forward-looking services that simplify the launch of live production workflows, and enhance real-time collaboration
By Jen...
14/02/2025
The claim by the liquidators is the latest twist in the ongoing saga of the companys collapse at the end of 2021
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 14, ...
14/02/2025
A carriage dispute between YouTube TV and Paramount could come to a head today (Feb. 13), with the virtual pay TV provider threatening to pull all of the progra...
14/02/2025
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. LG Electronics USA has opened a new in-house, state-of-the-art virtual production studio at its 360,000-square-foot North American headqu...
14/02/2025
NEW YORK In a bid to help local broadcasters find new ways of monetizing their content, the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) and TVB have relea...
14/02/2025
WASHINGTON Three Democratic U.S. Senators have sent a stern letter blasting FCC Chair Brendan Carr for the weaponization of the agency for attacking broadcast...
14/02/2025
Years after launching the streaming service Apple TV+ in November of 2019, Apple has finally released a version of its steaming app for Android devices....
14/02/2025
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. Red Digital Cinema will make its V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X camera systems available with Nikon's premier Z Mount, providing filmmaker...
14/02/2025
DAYTONA, Fla. The Fox Sports production of this year's Daytona 500 will see the addition of a few new tech elements and the continued unfolding of the broad...
14/02/2025
Watch Bryson Battles Blind Audition on The Voice Get a Four-Chair Turn Michael Bubl said the Boston Conservatory at Berklee musical theater senior might have...
14/02/2025
2025 Daytona 500: FOX Sports Looks To Ride Super Bowl LIX Momentum Into NASCAR S...
14/02/2025
14 Feb 2025
VEON's Kyivstar and the Come Back Alive Foundation Raise USD 2....
14/02/2025
Max Renews THE PITT, Starring Noah Wyle, For A Second Season
Max
Warner Bros. Television Group
The Pitt
New Episodes Of The Medical Drama From John...
14/02/2025
This year, Technicolor proudly celebrates 110 years of shaping the magic of cinema pioneering color, visual effects, and innovation that bring unforgettable l...
14/02/2025
NBA All-Star: More Games, More Teams, More Music, More Sound From the Court Turner Sports' team will deploy familiar tech to capture all the audio By Dan D...
14/02/2025
LIV Golf Continues To Innovate With Drones, Data-Driven Graphics, and All-Access...
Facebook 
