European System Providing Refueling, Infrastructure and Telecommunications
 | |
| Module statistics | |
|---|---|
| Part of | Gateway |
| Launch date | 2024 (HLCS) 2028 (ERM) |
| Launch vehicle | Falcon Heavy (HLCS) SLS Block 1B (ERM) |
| Mass | 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) |
| Length | 3.91 m (12.8 ft) |
| Configuration | |
 An image showing ESPRIT's location on the Gateway | |
The European System Providing Refueling, Infrastructure and Telecommunications (ESPRIT) is a planned module of the Lunar Gateway. It will provide refueling through additional xenon and hydrazine capacity for use in the Power and Propulsion Element's ion engines. It will also provide additional communications equipment, a habitation area, and an airlock for science packages to the Lunar Gateway.[1][2][3] It will have a mass of approximately 4,000 kg (8,800 lb), and a length of 3.91 m (12.8 ft).[4] ESA has awarded two parallel design studies one mostly led by Airbus in partnership with Comex and OHB[5] and one led by Thales Alenia Space.[6] The construction of the module was approved in November 2019.[7][8] On 14 October 2020, Thales Alenia Space announced that they had been selected by ESA to build the ESPRIT module.[2][3]
Configuration
The ESPRIT module will consist of two parts, the Halo Lunar Communication System (HLCS) and the ESPRIT Refueling Module (ERM).
Halo Lunar Communication System (HLCS)
The Halo Lunar Communication System (HLCS) will provide the communications for the station. It will launch in 2024 pre-attached to the HALO module, for which Thales has separately been awarded a contract by NASA to construct its hull and micrometeoroid protection.
ESPRIT Refueling Module (ERM)
The ESPRIT Refueling Module (ERM), will contain the pressurized fuel tanks, docking ports and a small windowed habitation corridor.[2][3] It is scheduled to launch on an SLS Block 1B launch vehicle in 2028, along with Artemis 5.[9][10]
See also
- Power and Propulsion Element, ESPRIT's co-module on the Lunar Gateway
References
- ^ Sloss, Philip (11 September 2018). "NASA updates lunar Gateway plans". NASASpaceFlight.com. Archived from the original on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
- ^ a b c "Europe steps up contributions to Artemis Moon plan". BBC News. 14 October 2020. Archived from the original on 14 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
- ^ a b c "Thales Alenia Space on its way to reach the Moon". thalesgroup.com. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
- ^ ESA develops logistics vehicle for cis-lunar outpost Archived 4 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine Anatoly Zak RussianSpaceWeb.com 8 September 2018
- ^ Comex and Airbus join forces around a module of the future lunar station. Archived 29 July 2019 at the Wayback Machine Comex press release, 21 November 2018
- ^ "Back to the Moon, a step towards future exploration missions". Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
- ^ Funding Europe's space ambitions. Archived 29 December 2019 at the Wayback Machine Jeff Foust The Space Review December 2019
- ^ Hera mission is approved as ESA receives biggest ever budget. Archived 10 December 2019 at the Wayback Machine Kerry Hebden, Room' 29 November 2019
- ^ Foust, Jeff (30 October 2022). "Lunar landing restored for Artemis 4 mission". SpaceNews. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
That same schedule expects Artemis 3 to launch no earlier than 2025, with Artemis 5 to follow in 2028 as part of an annual cadence of missions.
- ^ Foust, Jeff (20 January 2022). "NASA foresees gap in lunar landings after Artemis 3". SpaceNews. Retrieved 20 January 2022.