NASA's lunar expedition takes a step forward, with Airbus Bremen contributing the third service module for the Orion spacecraft. Airbus Bremen's technical know-how is propelling the mission into deeper space.
The third European Service Module (ESM-3) for NASA's Orion spacecraft was delivered from the Airbus plant in Bremen on August 22nd, marking a significant milestone in the Artemis program. This critical component, developed by Airbus Defence and Space, will provide essential spacecraft systems to support and sustain the Orion crew capsule during lunar missions.
Senator Kristina Vogt expressed delight at the demand for Bremen's space expertise worldwide, as NASA is trusting a mission-critical element from Europe for the first time. She noted that it's something special that Bremen can contribute its part to the lunar mission, which she described as a model of transatlantic cooperation and technological progress.
The ESM-3 was prepared for its journey in the "Cleanroom" at Airbus before being loaded onto a truck. Photos of the delivery process, as well as photos of the main engine and ESM-3 ready for container loading and shipping, were taken by Airbus and are copyrighted.
The ESM-3 is en route to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA, for assembly and testing. Once installed, it will provide astronauts with vital elements during their journey to and from the Moon, including an Earth-like standard atmosphere, oxygen, nitrogen, and drinking water.
The ESM-3 plays a crucial role in maintaining a safe and comfortable environment for astronauts in the harsh space environment, with temperatures as low as -200°C. It generates electrical power using solar panels and stores energy in batteries, ensuring Orion's systems remain operational throughout the mission.
The ESM also provides the primary propulsion for orbital maneuvers and trajectory corrections, enabling the spacecraft to enter lunar orbit and return to Earth safely. Additionally, it controls the spacecraft's environment by managing oxygen, water, and temperature, creating a habitable and comfortable atmosphere inside the crew module despite the extreme temperatures and vacuum of space.
The ESM regulates heat to maintain optimal temperature ranges critical for both hardware and astronaut comfort. It also uses nitrogen to pump drinking water from a 240-liter tank for astronauts.
Airbus Defence and Space is contracted for ESMs up to ESM-6 and is supplying long-lead components up to ESM-9. Ralf Zimmermann, Head of Space Exploration at Airbus, stated that the delivery of ESM-3 marks the start of annual ESM deliveries and underscores the importance and reliability of Europe in this transatlantic partnership.
Senator Kristina Vogt congratulated all Airbus DS employees and involved suppliers for their hard work and dedication to this project. The Artemis program, initiated by NASA, aims to return humans to the lunar surface, with plans for astronauts to land on the Moon again as early as September 2026 (Artemis 3).
- Senator Kristina Vogt praised the global demand for Bremen's space expertise, as the Artemis program, a pioneer of transatlantic cooperation and technological progress, trusts a mission-critical European component, the ESM-3, for the first time.
- The ESM-3, developed by Airbus Defence and Space, is not only essential for providing an environment suitable for astronauts on lunar missions but also plays a pivotal role in science, space-and-astronomy, and technology, with its solar panels and energy storage systems enabling orbital maneuvers and keeping the Orion spacecraft functional throughout its journey.
