The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a contract with Airbus for the construction of the third European Service Module (ESM) for Orion, the American crewed spacecraft. The contract is worth around €250 million.
By ordering this additional service module, ESA ensures the necessary continuity in NASA’s Artemis programme. The third European Service Module (Artemis III Mission) will be used to fly astronauts to Earth’s neighbour in space in 2024 – the first to land on the Moon since Apollo 17 following a hiatus of more than 50 years.
“Our know-how and expertise will enable us to continue to facilitate future Moon missions through international partnerships,” said Andreas Hammer, Head of Space Exloration at Airbus. “By working together with our customers ESA and NASA as well as our industrial partner Lockheed Martin, we now have a reliable planning basis for the first three lunar missions. This contract is an endorsement of the joint approach combining the best of European and American space technologies.”
David Parker, ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration, said: “By entering into this agreement, we are again demonstrating that Europe is a strong and reliable partner in Artemis. The European Service Module represents a crucial contribution to this, allowing scientific research, development of key technologies and international cooperation – inspiring missions that expand humankind’s presence beyond Low Earth Orbit.”
The first non-crewed Orion test flight with a European Service Module (Artemis I) will fly in 2021. It is as part of the following mission, Artemis II, that the first astronauts will then fly around the Moon and back to Earth.
The ESM will provide propulsion, power, air and water for the astronauts, as well as thermal control of NASA’s new spacecraft.
More than 20,000 parts and components are used in each ESM, from electrical equipment to engines, solar panels, fuel tanks and life support supplies for the astronauts, as well as approximately 12 kilometres of cables. The first service module was delivered to NASA in November 2018 and has already been mated with the Crew Module. The fully integrated spacecraft already finished the thermal-vacuum testing at NASA’s facility in Ohio, USA, and returned to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA, while the second service module is now being integrated and tested by Airbus in Bremen, with delivery set for the first half of 2021.
During the development and construction of the ESM, Airbus has drawn on its experience as prime contractor for ESA’s Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), which provided the crew on board the International Space Station with regular deliveries of test equipment, spare parts, food, air, water and fuel.
The ESM is cylindrical in shape and about four metres in diameter and height. It has four solar arrays (19 metres across when unfurled) that generate enough energy to power two households. The service module’s 8.6 tonnes of fuel can power one main engine and 32 smaller thrusters. The ESM weighs a total of just over 13 tonnes. In addition to its function as the main propulsion system for the Orion spacecraft, the ESM will be responsible for orbital manoeuvring and position control. It also provides the crew with the central elements of life support such as water and oxygen, and regulates thermal control while docked to the crew module.
More than 1,200 companies, including 200 firms from about 40 countries, will showcase their capabilities at the upcoming SAHA EXPO…
Vietnam has successfully concluded the Site Acceptance Test (SAT) for its new L-39NG trainer aircraft, marking the final step in…
The Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) held a foundation-laying ceremony on Tuesday, 20th August, for a new building dedicated to…
L3Harris plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60%, water use by 20%, and solid waste by 10%. In addition,…
Boeing has become an early investor in Wagner Sustainable Fuels to support the development of its sustainable aviation fuels (SAF)…
Terma and Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services (KAMS) have formalised a Teaming Agreement to collaborate on military Aviation Maintenance Services (AMS)…
The third ESM (European Service Module) for NASA's Orion spacecraft has departed from Airbus' facility in Bremen, Germany, on its…
Air Astana and Japan Airlines have entered into a codeshare agreement, enabling both carriers to place their respective codes on…
The Directorate of Production and Procurement (DOPP) at the Israel Ministry of Defence (IMoD), in conjunction with the Tank and…
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) formally took delivery of the last two T-50TH jet trainer/light fighter aircraft at Wing…
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is reportedly showing keen interest in acquiring the Indian-made BrahMos missile for its fleet…
Crane Aerospace & Electronics, a segment of Crane Company, has been selected by German Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Deutsche Aircraft…
The Bali International Airshow 2024 is set to mark Indonesia's return to the global airshow scene after three decades, underscoring…
Indonesian state-owned defence company PT Pindad, introduced its latest developments in counter-drone technology: the SPS-1 anti-drone rifle and the MV3…
The Defence Technology Institute (DTI) of Thailand has handed over a prototype of the D11A Multiple Rocket Launcher (MRL) to…
BHIC AeroServices Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation Bhd (BHIC), has been awarded a five-year contract worth…
Lockheed Martin has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Terran Orbital, a company known for its satellite-based solutions in the…
All Nippon Airways (ANA) will begin showing Pokémon-themed in-flight safety and disembarkation videos, created in collaboration with the Pokémon Company,…
Cebu Pacific has announced the resumption of its international flights between Davao and Hong Kong, and Iloilo and Singapore, later…
AirAsia has announced a new route to Port Blair, Andaman Islands, India, enhancing connectivity between Singapore and India through its…
The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) has signed a contract for the purchase of two SeaGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) from…
Archer Aviation and Future Flight Global have announced an agreement focused on the deployment of electric vertical take off and…
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced plans to increase flight frequencies and passenger capacity across its network for the 2025 Northern…
Etihad Cargo and Teleport, the logistics arm of AirAsia, have entered into a partnership aimed at increasing cargo capacity and…
SalamAir, Oman’s low-cost airline, has announced the launch of its latest promotion, the "Low Fare Mega Sale," offering discounted fares…
On 13 August 2024, the Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall Group signed an agreement to acquire all equity interests in Loc Performance Products,…
MRO services provider AAR hosted an internship graduation ceremony on Aug. 8 for the 10 high school students who spent…
The Polish Government has finalised a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) to acquire 96 Boeing…
Korean Air and U.S. defence contractor L3Harris Technologies recently hosted an 'L3 Industry Day' at the Air Force Hotel in…
Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), part of the SATS Group, has secured a five-year licence to manage ramp handling operations at…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.