All articles tagged with #lunar gateway
NASA has successfully tested powerful new electric engines for the Lunar Gateway, a space station orbiting the Moon that will serve as a staging point for lunar and future deep space missions. These efficient electric thrusters will enable longer, more cost-effective trips by using electricity instead of fuel, marking a significant advancement in space propulsion technology and preparing for future Mars exploration.
Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully docked its new cargo spacecraft, HTV-X, at the ISS, marking a significant milestone. The spacecraft, designed to serve as both a cargo carrier and a temporary space lab, carried supplies, experimental equipment, and new technology demonstrations, with plans for its use after leaving the ISS, including trash disposal and hosting equipment for extended periods. This mission also highlights Japan's advancements in space technology and its ongoing contributions to international space efforts like the Artemis Program.
NASA is shifting its focus from the International Space Station to the Lunar Gateway and supporting the commercialization of low Earth orbit with private companies like Axiom Space preparing to replace the ISS, signaling a move towards more privatized and international space exploration efforts.
NASA and its international partners are developing the Lunar Gateway, a new space station to orbit near the Moon, with the first modules expected to arrive in space in 2025. The station will serve as a gateway for missions to the Moon and Mars, and will be a joint effort by the U.S., Europe, Japan, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates. The Gateway will operate in a near-rectilinear halo orbit and is set to host astronauts for research, spacewalks, and as a staging point for future missions. Additionally, plans are in place to wind down operations at the International Space Station by 2030, with NASA working on a deorbit vehicle to guide its safe descent to Earth.
Northrop Grumman has reported a $42 million charge on its contract to build the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) module for NASA's lunar Gateway, bringing its total losses on the program to $100 million for the year. The company attributed the charge to cost growth and evolving mission requirements. The HALO module, part of NASA's lunar Gateway, is based on Northrop's Cygnus cargo spacecraft and is intended to provide living accommodations and docking ports for visiting spacecraft and lunar landers. The company is also taking a more cautious approach to bidding on fixed-price contracts in light of the HALO program's challenges. NASA's recent announcement of delays to the Artemis missions could separately delay the launch of the first Gateway elements.
NASA plans to build Lunar Gateway, a small space station in lunar orbit, to support missions around the Moon and enable future deep space exploration, including crewed missions to Mars. The station will be located in a near-rectilinear halo orbit, providing continuous communication with Earth. It will be built in phases, with the first elements to be launched by 2025. The station will support astronauts for 90-day stays and conduct various scientific research. However, crews will face increased radiation exposure compared to low Earth orbit, and the station's capabilities are expected to expand over time to support long-term human presence on the Moon and beyond.
The United Arab Emirates has partnered with NASA to build part of the lunar Gateway space station and send a UAE astronaut on a future Artemis mission, marking a historic moment in space collaboration. The UAE's space program, which includes successful Mars and lunar missions, will provide the Crew and Science Airlock module for the Gateway, allowing for crew and science to move from the station's pressurized environment into space. This partnership advances international cooperation in space and paves the way for deep-space exploration, with the UAE joining the U.S., European Space Agency, Japan, and Canada as partners on Artemis projects.
ESA's Spacelab module, which launched 40 years ago, marked the beginning of Europe's involvement in crewed modules for space exploration. Since then, Europe has contributed various modules to the International Space Station (ISS) and is currently working on modules for the Gateway station that will orbit the Moon. The modules are made using advanced welding techniques and are designed to be smaller yet stronger than previous modules. The I-Hab module, part of the Gateway station, is being tested for compatibility with other modules and will serve as living quarters for crews of four for up to 30 days at a time. Europe's module development is expected to continue with plans for lunar surface modules for a future Moon base.
The International Space Station (ISS) is set to be deorbited and burned up in Earth's atmosphere in January 2031, leaving the US without access to a space station. However, China's Tiangong Space Station is currently in orbit and expected to last at least 10 years, while private space companies like Axiom Space are planning to launch their own modules to conduct commercial space activities. Russia initially planned to leave the ISS and start its own station in 2027, but has agreed to continue being part of the ISS until 2028. Additionally, the Lunar Gateway, a space station in lunar orbit, is being developed by NASA, ESA, JAXA, and CSA for future missions to the Moon and Mars. New space stations will be needed in the late 2030s to maintain a continuous human presence in space.
NASA's Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS), a solar electric propulsion system that uses xenon as propellant, has passed qualification tests and will be integrated into the Lunar Gateway. Originally designed for the now-cancelled AARM mission, AEPS will serve as the primary propulsion method for deep space and cargo missions, supporting the Artemis program's goal of landing astronauts on the Moon. The AEPS thrusters will be mounted on the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) of the Lunar Gateway, set to launch in November 2025.
NASA is developing an AI assistant similar to ChatGPT to enable astronauts to have conversations with their spacecraft. The AI-powered platform will be used in the upcoming Lunar Gateway space station to communicate with AI robots exploring distant planets and moons. The system aims to detect and fix glitches, facilitate communication, and provide advice on space experiments through conversational interactions.
NASA is developing a natural-language ChatGPT-like interface that will allow astronauts to perform maneuvers, conduct experiments, and seek advice without diving into complex manuals. The system will be deployed on the Lunar Gateway space station and will require AI and machine learning technologies to manage various systems when it's unoccupied. The system would automatically fix data transmission glitches and inefficiencies, along with other types of digital outages.
NASA, along with international and private partners, is planning to build a small space station called Lunar Gateway, which will support missions at and around the Moon and provide a unique platform for conducting science. The station will be located in a near-rectilinear halo orbit and will consist of a Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) and a Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO). The first five elements will weigh 40 metric tons and will serve as the foundation upon which a larger station will be built over time. Gateway could also serve as the staging point for NASA’s proposed Deep Space Transport, from which a mission to Mars could be launched.