European System Providing Refueling, Infrastructure and Telecommunications

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 communications for the station, allowing it to transmit data to and receive data from other spacecraft on and around the Moon. It will launch in 2027 pre-attached to the HALO module, for which Thales has separately been awarded a contract by NASA to construct its hull and micrometeoroid protection. The HLCS will measure 2.5 m in both length and width, have a mass of 270 kg, and feature two 125 cm dish antennas. These will allow HLCS to achieve a data rate of up to 25 Mbps.

Because of its two dishes, the system will be able to communicate with two different targets (including spacecraft landing on the Moon or operating around Gateway) at once in S- or K-band radio frequencies.

ESA now refers to the ESPRIT HLCS as Lunar Link.

ESPRIT Refueling Module (ERM)

The ESPRIT Refueling Module (ERM) will contain the propellant tanks, docking ports, and a small windowed habitation corridor. The interior of the module will primarily be used for storage, although it will feature one workstation for astronaut use and six windows. The workstation and windows will be useful for photographing the lunar surface, controlling Canadarm3, and monitoring docking spacecraft. The module features two docking ports, meaning that once it docks to the HALO module, resupply craft and other vessels can dock to ESPRIT. These can include future propellant tankers to further refuel Gateway if needed. The ERM also features batteries and small surface-mounted solar panels to power the module on its way to the Moon.

A small science airlock was planned for the module during early designs in order to transfer scientific payloads outside the Gateway, but recent designs lack the airlock.

The ERM is scheduled to launch on an SLS Block 1B launch vehicle in 2030, along with Artemis V. Packed inside the module will be approximately 1.5 tons of cargo for ESPRIT and Gateway operations. Orion will dock to ESPRIT following launch and deliver it to Gateway.

References

References

1. "Gateway: Lunar Link".
2. (September 30, 2022). "Gateway: ESPRIT". European Space Agency.
3. Sloss, Philip. (September 11, 2018). "NASA updates lunar Gateway plans". NASASpaceFlight.com.
4. [[European Space Agency. ESA]] awarded two parallel design studies for ESPRIT, one mostly led by [[Airbus]] in partnership with [[Compagnie maritime d'expertises. Comex]] and [[OHB]][https://comex.fr/en/2018/11/21/comex-and-airbus-join-forces-around-a-module-of-the-future-lunar-station/ Comex and Airbus join forces around a module of the future lunar station.] {{Webarchive. link. (29 July 2019 ''Comex'' press release, 21 November 2018)
5. (5 August 2019). "Back to the Moon, a step towards future exploration missions".
6. [https://www.thespacereview.com/article/3843/1 Funding Europe's space ambitions.] {{Webarchive. link. (29 December 2019 Jeff Foust ''The Space Review'' December 2019)
7. [https://room.eu.com/news/hera-mission-is-approved-as-esa-receives-biggest-ever-budget Hera mission is approved as ESA receives biggest ever budget.] {{Webarchive. link. (10 December 2019 Kerry Hebden, ''Room' 29 November 2019'')
8. (2020-10-14). "Europe steps up contributions to Artemis Moon plan". BBC News.
9. (14 October 2020). "Thales Alenia Space on its way to reach the Moon".
10. https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Gateway_Lunar_Link
11. (15 April 2024). "FY 2025 Budget Request {{!}} FY 2025 President's Budget Request Moon to Mars Manifest". [[NASA]].
12. Foust, Jeff. (13 March 2023). "NASA planning to spend up to $1 billion on space station deorbit module". [[SpaceNews]].
13. Foust, Jeff. (20 January 2022). "NASA foresees gap in lunar landings after Artemis 3". [[SpaceNews]].