Why do we need a lunar space station?
The upcoming Artemis era has given NASA an excuse for finally building such a thing.
None of this will be possible, however, without a lunar space station.
Artist’s conception of the fully assembled Lunar GatewayImage: NASA/Alberto Bertolin
Where will Lunar Gateway be located?
The current plan is toplace Gateway in a near-rectilinear halo orbit, or NRHO.
This fuel-efficient orbit takes advantage of neutral gravity points generated by the Earth and the Moon.
Conceptual view showing NASA’s Orion spacecraft approaching the full Gateway configuration.Illustration: NASA/Alberto Bertolin
A full orbit should take about a week.
TheCAPSTONE probe entered into this lunar orbitin November 2022, havinglaunchedon June 28.
The smallsat became the first human-built object to do so.
Graphic: NASA
How will Lunar Gateway be built?
Future launches will support Gateway, whether to add new components or deliver cargo.
How big is Lunar Gateway?
Conceptual image showing the Canadian Space Agency’s Canadarm3.Image: CSA/NASA
Combined,these elements will weigh 40 metric tons.
The European Space Agency (ESA) says Gateway will support four astronauts for 90-day stays.
What are the components of the lunar space station?
Proposed elements for Gateway.Graphic: NASA
The module will use solar panels to generate the electrical energy required to power the outpost.
NASA tapped Northrop Grumman to build HALO, a habitable, pressurized module.
The Virginia-based companyfinalizeda $935 million fixed-price contract with the space agency in July 2021.
Artist’s conception of the Power and Propulsion Element.Illustration: NASA
HALO is beingmodeledafter the pre-existing Northrop GrummansCygnus cargo transportation vehicle.
HALO will provide a place for astronauts to live, work, research, and sleep.
Basic life-support will include the recycling of oxygen and production of drinking water.
Artist’s conception of the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO).Illustration: NASA
ESA is providing the high-data-rate communications capability that will link the orbital base with teams working on the surface.
ESA and JAXA are alsoresponsiblefor a second habitable module, known asI-Hab, or International Habitation module.
That module will provide further space for the crew to live, work, and perform science.
Conceptual view of ESA’s I-HAB.Image: ESA
How can we support a space station so far away?
At an average distance of 239,200 miles (385,000 km), the Moon isnt exactly close.
Logistics will be key to supporting astronauts on their missionsa matter not lost on the Gateway partners.
Artist’s conception of Gateway with the SpaceX Dragon XL logistics module on approach to docking.Illustration: NASA
Whats more, the experience of providing a supply chain to deep space could inform future missions to Mars.
SpaceX will need to transport both pressurized and unpressurized cargo to the outpost.
NASAestimatesthat one delivery will be required for each crewed Artemis mission.
To do so, SpaceX will launch its Dragon XL spacecraft atop Falcon Heavy rockets.
A single Dragon XL will be capable of delivering more than 5 metric tons of cargo,accordingto SpaceX.
JAXA is also looking to get in on the logistical support.
The space agency iscurrently looking into enhancementsthat could make itsHTV-X cargo spacecraftsuitable for Gateway resupply missions.
Interestingly, SpaceXs upcoming Starship rocket could conceivably be used for logistics purposes as well.
What kind of science will be done on board Gateway?
The Gateway partners have already chosen three science instruments.
Will Gateway missions be dangerous for astronauts?
Like any mission to space, there will be an element of danger.
The Apollo missions likewise exposed astronauts to space radiation, but these missions didnt last longer than 11 days.
Accordingly, scientists will want to keep a close watch on returning Gateway crews to assess potential harm.
That research will then inform future efforts to minimize any detrimental effects.
What will Lunar Gateway be like in the coming decades?
NASAs intention is to reach the Moon and stay there.
Gateway could also be used totrack threatening near-Earth objects.
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