The European Space Agency ( ESA ) has signed a contract with Airbus to construct its third European Service Module , which will be used in the 2024 delegation back to the Moon .
The European Service Module acts as the “ tail ” of the Orion spacecraft and is there to ensure the spaceman can survive the trip to our natural satellite . The mental faculty cater water system , air , propulsion , electricity , and a comfortable temperature for the human on board .
“ By enter into this agreement , we are again demonstrating that Europe is a hard and reliable partner in Artemis . The European Service Module represent a crucial contribution to this , allowing scientific research , development of key technologies and international cooperation – inspire deputation that extend humankind ’s presence beyond Low Earth Orbit , ” ESA ’s Director of Human and Robotic Exploration David Parker said in astatement .
The faculty design is based on the Automated Transfer Vehicle , which is used to resupply the International Space Station , carrying to dispirited - dry land electron orbit food , water system , zephyr , and test equipment . The entire craft is not much heavy than an flat . It sway 8.6 loads of fuel for Orion ’s main railway locomotive and its solar panels prolong as wings to 19 meters ( 62 invertebrate foot ) .
The first European Service Module is currently undergoing testing at the Kennedy Space Center . This one is expected to fly next year onArtemis 1 , the first mission of the program . This will be uncrewed and last 25 days , including six day in a retrograde orbit around the Moon .
The 2d servicing mental faculty is currently under construction and will fly onArtemis 2 in 2023 , the first crewed mission of the program . This military mission will also be the first crew spacecraft to will humbled - world orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972 .
The third service mental faculty will be employed on Artemis 3 , the mission back to lunar soil .
