ESA will provide modules for NASA’s space station near the moon

Paris, October 28 (TASR) – The European Space Agency (ESA) will provide several key modules for the planned Gateway space station orbiting the moon. In return, ESA astronauts will also be able to work at the station, the AP agency reported Tuesday.

The Gateway project is part of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Artemis space program, which aims to restore manned flights to the moon. In the future, the station should also serve as a base for flights to Mars and other space missions and for testing new technologies.

ESA said on Tuesday that its CEO Johann-Dietrich Wörner and NASA chief Jim Bridenstine had signed a contract to provide “Basic elements“for the Artemis Gateway space ministry.

ESA’s physical assistance should include a main residential module for astronauts as well as a communication and refueling module and a window for observing the moon. In return, ESA astronauts will be able to complete three years and working stays at the future station, under the agreement.

The European space station has already committed to building two service modules for the Gateway to provide electricity, rocket propulsion, water and oxygen for the US spacecraft Orion, which will take astronauts to the station and to Earth.

NASA hopes to enter into similar agreements with ESA regarding the construction and operation of the Gateway station with other foreign partners.