Photo credit: www.nasa.gov

Testing Underway for Gateway’s HALO Module

A complex network of cables and sensors is being meticulously examined within HALO, the Habitation and Logistics Outpost, part of Gateway—a groundbreaking space station designed to orbit the Moon. This significant testing phase, conducted earlier this year, aims to ensure the module’s resilience against the challenging conditions of deep space.

HALO is a vital component of Gateway, which will serve as a habitat for international astronauts engaged in scientific research and preparations for future missions targeting the lunar South Pole. This collaborative effort involves contributions from renowned space agencies, including the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre of the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, the Canadian Space Agency is developing the advanced robotics system, Canadarm3, for use on the Gateway.

The HALO module is developed by Northrop Grumman in partnership with subcontractor Thales Alenia Space. After completing its initial testing phase in Turin, Italy, HALO is projected to arrive in the United States by 2025. Following its arrival, Northrop Grumman will finalize the outfitting of HALO and facilitate its integration with the Gateway’s Power and Propulsion Element, preparing for the upcoming Artemis IV mission that will utilize a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket for launch.

Image credit: Thales Alenia Space

Source
www.nasa.gov