Crew and Science Airlock Module
{{Short description|Planned airlock module}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = Crew and Science Airlock
| names_list =
| image = Gateway Close-up - Government Reference Airlock Module 01 (Gateway Summer Req Images Rev2 1).png
| image_caption = A close-up of a government-reference airlock module for the Gateway Space Station. Mission planning calls for an airlock to be delivered and integrated to Gateway by the crewed Orion spacecraft on the Artemis VI mission after launching on an Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1B rocket.
| image_size =
| mission_type = Airlock module
| operator =
| COSPAR_ID =
| SATCAT =
| website = [https://www.mbrsc.ae/ MBRSC]
| mission_duration =
| spacecraft =
| manufacturer = Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, Thales Alenia Space
| launch_mass =
| dimensions =
| power =
| orbit_reference = Near-rectilinear halo orbit
| launch_date = 2031 (planned)
| launch_rocket = SLS
| launch_site = Kennedy Space Center, LC-39B
| launch_contractor =
|programme = Lunar Gateway
|previous_mission = ESPRIT
|next_mission =
}}
The Crew and Science Airlock Module is designed as an airlock module of the Lunar Gateway station, to be built by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre.{{Cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=2024-01-07 |title=UAE to build airlock for lunar Gateway |url=https://spacenews.com/uae-to-build-airlock-for-lunar-gateway/ |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}
Background
The airlock module is meant to facilitate transfers to and from the habitation modules of the Gateway and into the vacuum of space. The airlock module will therefore support deep space science research as well as external Gateway maintenance.{{Cite web |title=NASA, United Arab Emirates Announce Artemis Lunar Gateway Airlock - NASA |url=https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-united-arab-emirates-announce-artemis-lunar-gateway-airlock/ |access-date=2024-06-18 |language=en-US}}
=Contract=
In January 2024, NASA announced the partnership with MBRSC with whom NASA shares a long-standing partnership. The UAE, in which the MBRSC is located, was among the initial signatories of the Artemis Accords. Soon after the contract was announced, design work began.{{Cite web |last=Nasir |first=Sarwat |date=2024-01-25 |title=Emirates Airlock on Lunar Gateway to run itself in absence of astronauts |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2024/01/25/emirates-airlock-on-lunar-gateway-to-run-itself-in-absence-of-astronauts/ |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=The National |language=en}} As part of the contract, the UAE will be able to send one of their own astronauts aboard a future Artemis mission.{{Cite web |author1=Andrew Jones |date=2024-01-10 |title=UAE to provide airlock for NASA's moon-orbiting Gateway space station |url=https://www.space.com/uae-airlock-nasa-gateway-moon-station-artemis |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=Space.com |language=en}}
Design and manufacture
The project will occur in a five phased approach: planning, design, qualification, flight preparation and operations. The MBRSC will be responsible for long term management, maintenance and operation of the Airlock.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-05 |title=UAE Announces its Participation in Nasa's Lunar Gateway Station {{!}} UAE Embassy in Washington, DC |url=https://www.uae-embassy.org/news/uae-announces-its-participation-nasa%E2%80%99s-lunar-gateway-station |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=UAE Announces its Participation in Nasa’s Lunar Gateway Station {{!}} UAE Embassy in Washington, DC |language=en}} The Airlock will be manufactured by Thales Alenia Space {{cite web|title=Thales Alenia Space Italia svilupperà l’Airlock emiratino per il Lunar Gateway|url=https://www.asi.it/2025/02/thales-alenia-space-italia-sviluppera-lairlock-emiratino-per-il-lunar-gateway/|access-date=2025-02-17|website=Agenzia Spaziale Italiana}}
Launch
The module is slated to launch on the Artemis 6 mission which is currently scheduled for 2031.{{Cite web |last1=Rai |first1=Bindu |last2=ZAWYA |title=UAE begins work on airlock for historic Gateway Lunar Space Station |url=https://www.zawya.com/en/business/technology-and-telecom/uae-begins-work-on-airlock-for-historic-gateway-lunar-space-station-ob47udpl |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=www.zawya.com |language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Space stations}}
{{Moon spacecraft}}
{{Artemis program}}
{{Future spaceflights}}
Category:Spacecraft using halo orbits