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European System Providing Refueling, Infrastructure and Telecommunications

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"ESPRIT" redirects here. For EU-sponsored information technology programmes, see European Strategic Programme on Research in Information Technology (ESPRIT).

European System Providing Refueling, Infrastructure and Telecommunications
Mission typeHabitat, communications and storage modules
WebsiteLunar Link
Lunar View
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerThales Alenia Space
Start of mission
Launch date2027 (HLCS)
2030 (ERM)
RocketSLS
Launch siteKennedy Space Center, LC-39B
Orbital parameters
Reference systemNear-rectilinear halo orbit

The European System Providing Refueling Infrastructure and Telecommunications (ESPRIT) is an under construction module of the Lunar Gateway.[1] It will provide refueling through additional xenon and hydrazine capacity for use in the Power and Propulsion Element's ion engines and hydrazine thrusters. It will also provide additional communications equipment, a habitation area, and storage.[2][3][4][5] It will have a launch mass of approximately 10,000 kg (22,000 lb), a length of 6.4 m (21 ft), and a diameter of 4.6 m (15 ft).[2] ESA awarded two parallel design studies for ESPRIT, one mostly led by Airbus in partnership with Comex and OHB[6] and one led by Thales Alenia Space.[7] The construction of the module was approved in November 2019.[8][9] On 14 October 2020, Thales Alenia Space announced that they had been selected by ESA to build the ESPRIT module.[4][5]

The module is currently slated to launch as a co-manifested payload on Artemis V in 2030. 1.5 tons of cargo will be packed inside the module for launch.[2]

Configuration

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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)

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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 (8 ft 2 in) in both length and width, have a mass of 270 kg (600 lb), and feature two 125 cm (49 in) 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.[2]

ESA now refers to the ESPRIT HLCS as Lunar Link.[10]

ESPRIT Refueling Module (ERM)

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The ESPRIT Refueling Module (ERM) will contain the propellant tanks, docking ports, and a small windowed habitation corridor.[4][5] 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.[11][12][13] 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.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Gateway: Lunar Link". www.esa.int. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Gateway: ESPRIT". European Space Agency. 30 September 2022. Archived from the original on 10 November 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  3. ^ Sloss, Philip (11 September 2018). "NASA updates lunar Gateway plans". NASASpaceFlight.com. Archived from the original on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  4. ^ a b c "Europe steps up contributions to Artemis Moon plan". BBC News. 14 October 2020. Archived from the original on 14 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  5. ^ a b c "Thales Alenia Space on its way to reach the Moon". thalesgroup.com. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  6. ^ Comex and Airbus join forces around a module of the future lunar station. Archived 29 July 2019 at the Wayback Machine Comex press release, 21 November 2018
  7. ^ "Back to the Moon, a step towards future exploration missions". 5 August 2019. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  8. ^ Funding Europe's space ambitions. Archived 29 December 2019 at the Wayback Machine Jeff Foust The Space Review December 2019
  9. ^ Hera mission is approved as ESA receives biggest ever budget. Archived 10 December 2019 at the Wayback Machine Kerry Hebden, Room' 29 November 2019
  10. ^ https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Gateway_Lunar_Link
  11. ^ "FY 2025 Budget Request | FY 2025 President's Budget Request Moon to Mars Manifest" (PDF). NASA. 15 April 2024. p. 6. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  12. ^ Foust, Jeff (13 March 2023). "NASA planning to spend up to $1 billion on space station deorbit module". SpaceNews. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  13. ^ Foust, Jeff (20 January 2022). "NASA foresees gap in lunar landings after Artemis 3". SpaceNews. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
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