Forward Progress on Gateway, Humanity’s First Lunar Space Station

The primary structure of the Gateway space station’s HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost) module is one step closer to launch following welding completion in Turin, Italy. HALO is one of four Gateway modules where astronauts will live, conduct science, and prepare for lunar surface missions. NASA is partnering with Northrop Grumman and their subcontractor Thales Alenia Space to develop HALO. Credit: Northrop Grumman/Thales Alenia Space

The Artemis IV mission progresses with major components being assembled for the Gateway space station in Turin, Italy. This includes the HALO module and the Lunar I-Hab module, which astronauts will deliver to the Gateway during the mission.

The Artemis IV mission is taking shape with major hardware for Gateway, humanity’s first space station to orbit the Moon, progressing in Turin, Italy.

Gateway’s Lunar I-Hab and HALO modules under construction at a Thales Alenia Space industrial plant in Turin, Italy. Credit: ESA/Stephane Corvaja

NASA will launch HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost) (see the background in the center of the image above) along with the Power and Propulsion Element (not pictured) to lunar orbit ahead of the Artemis IV mission as the first elements of Gateway, the first space station to be assembled around the Moon.

During that mission, astronauts will launch in the Orion spacecraft with the Lunar I-Hab, pieces of which are shown above in the foreground, and deliver it to Gateway. Lunar I-Hab is provided by ESA (European Space Agency) with significant hardware contributions from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and is one of four Gateway modules where astronauts will live and work as they orbit the Moon.

Gateway’s Lunar I-Hab and HALO modules under construction at a Thales Alenia Space industrial plant in Turin, Italy. Credit: ESA/Stephane Corvaja

Thales Alenia Space completed major welding on HALO and began the initial fabrication of Lunar I-Hab last year. The company is a subcontractor to Northrop Grumman for HALO, and prime contractor to ESA for Lunar I-Hab.

Along with HALO, Lunar I-Hab, and the Power and Propulsion Element, two additional Gateway modules provided by ESA and the Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre make up the core components of the space station. CSA (Canadian Space Agency) is providing the Canadarm3 advanced external robotic system and fixtures for science instruments.  

Gateway’s Lunar I-Hab and HALO modules under construction at a Thales Alenia Space industrial plant in Turin, Italy. Credit: ESA/Stephane Corvaja

The international teams of astronauts living, conducting science, and preparing for missions to the lunar South Pole region from Gateway will be the first humans to make their home in deep space.