Argonaut (lunar lander)

{{Infobox spacecraft class

| name = Argonaut

| names_list =

| image =

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| manufacturer = European Space Agency

| designer = European Space Agency

| country = European Union

| operator = European Space Agency

| applications = Lunar payload delivery and support

| spacecraft_type = Lunar lander

| spacecraft_bus =

| design_life =

| launch_mass = {{cvt|10000|kg}}{{Cite web |title=Argonaut|url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/Argonaut |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}

| dry_mass =

| payload_capacity = up to {{cvt|1500|kg}}

| volume =

| dimensions =

| power =

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| length = {{cvt|6|m}}

| diameter = {{cvt|4.5|m}}

| status = proposal selection

| built = none

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| first = 2031 (planned)

| last =

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| derivedfrom =

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| flown_with = Ariane 64

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| programme = Artemis Program

| previous =

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}}

Argonaut{{Cite web |title=Argonaut: a lunar ship – ESA – Exploration |url=https://blogs.esa.int/exploration/argonaut-a-lunar-ship/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |language=en-US}} or European Large Logistics Lander (EL3) is a class of lunar landers designed by the European Space Agency (ESA) in partnership with Thales Alenia Space to deliver payloads to the surface of the Moon.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-29 |title=The Moon in our sights {{!}} Airbus |url=https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/stories/2022-11-the-moon-in-our-sights |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=www.airbus.com |language=en}} The lander is being designed with a versatile set of uses in mind, including use as a power station, support for a rover, cargo delivery, and infrastructure delivery. It is envisioned to launch on an Ariane 64 launch vehicle.{{Cite web |title=What is Argonaut? |url=https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2020/10/What_is_Argonaut |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Argonaut |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/Argonaut |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2rk8oOReT4 |title=EL3 European Large Logistic Lander |date=2020-10-14 |last=Airbus Defence and Space |access-date=2024-05-25 |via=YouTube}} The Argonaut lander will consist of the descent element, cargo platform and payload. Capable of delivering up to {{cvt|2100|kg}}, the craft will reportedly be able to land with an accuracy of 50–100 meters.{{Cite web |title=EL3_ARGONAUT\\EL3_by_EAC_11mei21.stp |url=https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/HRE/EL3_by_EAC_11mei21.stp |website=European Space Agency}} Format: ISO 10303-21

First mission: ''ArgoNET''

ArgoNET will be the first operational flight of the programme, planned for launch in 2031. It will deliver navigation, energy, and telecommunications infrastructure and will serve as a selenodetic reference station for the Moonlight satellite constellation in order to improve navigation capabilities around the lunar south pole.{{Cite web |title=Argonaut: Europe's lunar lander programme |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/Argonaut_Europe_s_lunar_lander_programme |access-date=2025-04-03 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}

Timeline

In 2022, ESA formally sought funding for the lander in their ministerial meeting.{{Cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=2022-10-21 |title=ESA finalizes package for ministerial |url=https://spacenews.com/esa-finalizes-package-for-ministerial/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}
In 2024, Redwire Space was awarded a contract by ESA to develop a robotic arm for use on the lander.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-22 |title=Redwire Awarded Contract by European Space Agency to Develop Robotic Arm Prototype for Argonaut Lunar Lander to Support International Lunar Exploration |url=https://redwirespace.com/newsroom/redwire-awarded-contract-by-european-space-agency-to-develop-robotic-arm-prototype-for-argonaut-lunar-lander-to-support-international-lunar-exploration/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Redwire Space |language=en-US}}
Engine testing began in 2024.{{Cite web |last=Parsonson |first=Andrew |date=2024-06-25 |title=ESA Signs Off on Argonaut Lunar Lander Engine Test |url=https://europeanspaceflight.com/esa-signs-off-on-argonaut-lunar-lander-engine-test/ |access-date=2024-06-26 |website=European Spaceflight |language=en-US}}
In 2024, the ESA committed to an Argonaut mission in 2031.{{Cite web |last=Parsonson |first=Andrew |date=2024-07-17 |title=ESA Targets 2031 for First Argonaut Lunar Lander Mission |url=https://europeanspaceflight.com/esa-targets-2031-for-first-argonaut-lunar-lander-mission/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=European Spaceflight |language=en-US}}
On 30 January 2025, ESA has awarded a contract to Thales Alenia Space to build the descent element of the lander.{{Cite web |title=Argonaut: a first European lunar lander |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Argonaut_a_first_European_lunar_lander |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Parsonson |first=Andrew |date=2025-01-31 |title=ESA Awards Thales Alenia Space €862M Argonaut Moon Lander Contract |url=https://europeanspaceflight.com/esa-awards-thales-alenia-space-e862m-argonaut-moon-lander-contract/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=European Spaceflight |language=en-US}}
In March 2025, ESA and JAXA have signed a statement of intent detailing possible future cooperation between the Argonaut lunar lander and the Japanese pressurised rover under development for the Artemis program, as well as possible Japanese scientific investigations on Argonaut.{{Cite web |title=ESA and JAXA strengthen ties on Moon and Mars exploration |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/ESA_and_JAXA_strengthen_ties_on_Moon_and_Mars_exploration |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}

References

External links

{{url|https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/Argonaut|ESA – Argonaut}}

Category:European Space Agency

Category:Exploration of the Moon

Category:Landers (spacecraft)

Category:Soft landings on the Moon

Argonaut (lunar lander)

First mission: ''ArgoNET''

Timeline

See also

References

External links