NASA is sharing a new set of graphic images of the Lunar Gateway space station which is expected to launch into lunar orbit by 2024.
The United States Aerospace Agency (NASA) is working with partners from Europe, Japan and Canada to develop a lunar orbiting space station called the Lunar Gateway. The project is an important part of the Artemis program, aimed at bringing people back to the moon after 2024.
The Lunar Gateway station will serve as an orbital laboratory, communications center, as well as a docking station for spacecraft and lunar landers.
The facility will consist of two main modules: the Power and Propulsion Module (PPE) and the Residence and Research Space Module (HALO). They will be launched into lunar orbit as early as May 2024 and no later than October 2024 by SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy heavy launch missile.
Once operational, the Lunar Gateway can accommodate four astronauts, but the number may increase over time as the facility adds modules. Modules 3 and 4 are expected to be launched in 2024 and 2026 respectively.
A third module called ESPRIT, built by the European Space Agency (ESA), will provide additional energy and improve communication on the station. Meanwhile, the fourth module called I-HAB developed by ESA and the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) will provide more living and research space for astronauts.
NASA originally planned to work with Russia and China, but the two countries wanted to work alone. They will likely build other space stations in orbit or based on the surface of the Moon. Russia also recently said it plans to pull out of the International Space Station (ISS) project from 2025 due to concerns about the safety of the facility.
