www.aero-defence.tech
07
'25
Written on Modified on
Thales Alenia Space contracts with MBRSC to develop the Emirates Airlock Module for Lunar Gateway
The Emirates Airlock will enable astronaut EVAs, research transfer, and spacecraft docking, strengthening UAE’s role in space exploration.
www.thalesaleniaspace.com
© Thales Alenia Space/Briot
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.
Emirates Airlock: allowing extravehicular activities for astronauts
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.
The key milestones planned for 2025 are the Mission Concept Review followed by the System Requirements Review and the Preliminary Design Reviews at primary structure and, respectively, system level.
Our company has leveraged its longstanding experience in pressurized modules to offer a fifth module for the cislunar space station, including Lunar-View, Lunar-Link, Lunar I-Hab for ESA, HALO’s pressurized module for Northrop Grumman and now the Emirates airlock module.
www.thalesgroup.com
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.
Emirates Airlock: allowing extravehicular activities for astronauts
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.
The key milestones planned for 2025 are the Mission Concept Review followed by the System Requirements Review and the Preliminary Design Reviews at primary structure and, respectively, system level.
Our company has leveraged its longstanding experience in pressurized modules to offer a fifth module for the cislunar space station, including Lunar-View, Lunar-Link, Lunar I-Hab for ESA, HALO’s pressurized module for Northrop Grumman and now the Emirates airlock module.
www.thalesgroup.com
