Move to develop the Emirates Airlock Module, a critical element of the lunar gateway
Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has signed a contract with Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), the scientific and technological hub driving the UAE’s leadership in space services and exploration, for the design and development of the Emirates Crew and Science Airlock Module to be docked to Lunar Gateway cislunar space station.
The signing ceremony in Abu Dhabi was also attended by Teodoro Valente, President of the Italian Space Agency (ASI).
The Airlock will allow astronauts to perform spacewalks, transfer research to and from the lunar station, and serve as an additional docking port for spacecraft vehicles. This contribution to Gateway will establish the UAE as a major player in space exploration, develop the Science Community in the UAE and prepare the next generations of scientists and engineers to support space programs, according to a press statement.
Emirates Airlock
The Emirates Airlock will be designed to allow extravehicular activities (EVA) for astronauts, enhance Gateway operations and utilization, and offer a scientific airlock capability.
This pressurized module will provide space for the storage and maintenance of EVA suits, EVA-related tools and equipment, as well as a science airlock for transferring scientific experiments and Gateway hardware between the pressurized volume and the exterior of the cislunar space station.
“This new contract emphasizes even more Thales Alenia Space’s leading positions in the fields of space transportation systems, orbital infrastructures and deep space exploration,” observed Hervé Derrey, CEO, Thales Alenia Space.
“We continuously invest in new technological developments and foster innovation. Challenges stimulate us and our supply chain for the benefit of the whole space ecosystem,” commented Giampiero Di Paolo, Deputy CEO and Senior Vice President, Observation, Exploration and Navigation at Thales Alenia Space.
