ESA taps Thales Alenia Space for lunar lander
The European Space Agency (ESA) has inked a deal worth €862 million with Thales Alenia Space to develop a lunar lander.
The lander, called Argonaut, is designed to carry cargo to the lunar surface and will consist of three parts: the Lunar Descent Element (LDE), which will be responsible for the journey to the Moon and landing on the lunar surface, a cargo platform which will provide an interface between payload and lander, and finally the payload itself.
Render of ESA Argonaut lander on the Moon (click to enlarge) Pic: ESA
As well as being able to heft science instruments and resources for astronauts to the Moon, Argonaut is expected to survive the lunar environment and endure for five years after landing. Delivery of the first lander is expected in 2030, ahead of a launch on an Ariane 6 rocket in 2031.
Thales Alenia Space is the prime contractor and system integrator for the LDE. Thales Alenia Space in France and in the UK will respectively focus on data handling systems and propulsion.
Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA director for Human and Robotic Exploration, said, “This first-of-its-kind European lunar lander demonstrates ESA’s dedication to advancing our industrial capabilities in deep space exploration.
“Argonaut will enable Europe to contribute meaningfully to international partnerships, while paving the way for a sustainable human presence on the Moon. Europe is on its journey to the Moon and has broken the ground towards European autonomy in Exploration.”
Argonaut is one of ESA’s contributions to international lunar programs, including NASA’s Artemis program and the agency’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS). According to ESA, the lander will contribute “to establishing a permanent and sustainable human presence on the Moon.”
It’s all worthy stuff, but it is also worth remembering that as well as NASA’s CLPS program, the agency also expects Blue Origin and SpaceX to come up with cargo-only versions of the companies’ human lunar landers.
The cargo versions are not expected to be in service before Artemis VII and are required to land approximately 12 to 15 metric tons of cargo on the lunar surface. The 6 meter tall Argonaut will be capable of bringing up to 1,500kg of cargo and capable of an automated landing with an accuracy of between 50 meters and 100 meters. ®
