Habitation and Logistics Outpost

{{Infobox spaceflight

| name = Habitation and Logistics Outpost

| names_list =

| image = File:GATEWAY (Moon Space Station).jpg

| image_caption = Artist's impression of the HALO, attached to PPE.

| image_size = 300px

| mission_type = Habitat, command and control module

| operator = Northrop Grumman / NASA

| COSPAR_ID =

| SATCAT =

| website =

| mission_duration = 15 years (planned){{Cite web | url=https://www.nasa.gov/feature/glenn/2021/we-are-fired-up-gateway-propulsion-system-passes-first-test | title=We're Fired Up! Gateway's Propulsion System Passes First Test | date=30 March 2021 }}

| spacecraft = HALO

| manufacturer = Thales Alenia Space{{Cite web | url=https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/space/press-release/thales-alenia-space-chosen-northrop-grumman-provide-pressurized | title=Thales Alenia Space Chosen by Northrop Grumman to provide the pressurized module for HALO | date=7 December 2020 }}

| launch_mass =

| dimensions =

| diameter =

| volume =

| power =

| launch_date = 2027 (planned){{cite web |url=https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-24-106878 |title=Artemis Programs: NASA Should Document and Communicate Plans to Address Gateway's Mass Risk |work=GAO |date=31 July 2024 |access-date=31 July 2024}}

| launch_rocket = Falcon Heavy

| launch_site = Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A

| launch_contractor = SpaceX

|programme = Lunar Gateway

|previous_mission = PPE

|next_mission = I-HAB

}}

The Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO),{{cite web|last=Foust|first=Jeff|url=https://spacenews.com/iss-partners-endorse-modified-gateway-plans/| url-status=live | archive-url=https://archive.today/20200329105219/https://spacenews.com/iss-partners-endorse-modified-gateway-plans/| archive-date=2020-03-29|title=ISS partners endorse modified Gateway plans|publisher=SpaceNews|date=30 August 2019|access-date=11 December 2019}}{{cbignore}}[https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-asks-american-companies-to-deliver-supplies-for-artemis-moon-missions NASA Asks American Companies to Deliver Supplies for Artemis Moon Missions.] NASA Press Release M019-14, 23 August 2019 {{PD-notice}} also called the Minimal Habitation Module (MHM) and formerly known as the Utilization Module, is a habitation module that is part of the Lunar Gateway.{{cite web|author1=Planetary Society|title=Humans in Deep Space|url=http://www.planetary.org/explore/space-topics/space-missions/humans-in-deep-space.html|website=planetary.org|access-date=6 August 2019|archive-date=17 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117234651/https://www.planetary.org/explore/space-topics/space-missions/humans-in-deep-space.html|url-status=live}} It will be built by Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems.{{cite web|last=Foust|first=Jeff|url=https://spacenews.com/nasa-to-sole-source-gateway-habitation-module-to-northrop-grumman/| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220106/https://spacenews.com/nasa-to-sole-source-gateway-habitation-module-to-northrop-grumman/| archive-date=2022-01-06|title=NASA to sole source Gateway habitation module to Northrop Grumman|publisher=SpaceNews|date=23 July 2019|access-date=11 December 2019}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web|title=Justification for other than full and open competition (JOFOC) for the Minimal Habitation Module (MHM)|url=https://www.fbo.gov/index.php?tab=documents&tabmode=form&subtab=core&tabid=d4e9e11d78e9dd0b8bd05395b3d82c7f|publisher=Federal Business Opportunities|access-date=23 July 2019|ref=Solicitation 80JSC019GTWYHAB|archive-date=3 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903173343/https://www.fbo.gov/index.php?tab=documents&tabmode=form&subtab=core&tabid=d4e9e11d78e9dd0b8bd05395b3d82c7f|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}} A Falcon Heavy will launch HALO along with the PPE module and Halo Lunar Communication System, no earlier than 2027.{{Cite web |last=Dunbar |first=Brian |date=2023-12-18 |title=Gateway |url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission/gateway |access-date=2023-12-25 |website=NASA}}

Background

Several concepts for the initial habitation module of a lunar orbital outpost had been developed under the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships 2 (NextSTEP-2) program. With the 2024 goal set by the Trump administration, NASA acknowledged it needed to leverage this program in order to meet the timelines set. In July 2019, NASA decided to sole source its design for the Minimal Habitation Module of the Lunar Gateway to Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems.{{Cite web|title=NASA Gateway Program Justification For Other Than Full and Open Competition For The Minimal Habitation Module|url=http://spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=52690|access-date=2022-01-08|website=spaceref.com| date=24 July 2019 }} The motivation to sole source was based on NASA's assessment that Northrop were the only existing NextSTEP-2 contractor with the designs and production capabilities to meet the module requirements and within the set timescale.

Northrop offered a "minimal" 6.1-meter (20 feet) by 3-meter (9.8 feet) design based on the Cygnus spacecraft, as well as a larger 7-meter (22.9 feet) by 4.4-meter (14.4 feet) design also based on the Cygnus,{{cite web|last=Messier|first=Doug|date=23 July 2019|title=NASA Awards Contract to Northrop Grumman for Gateway Habitat Module|url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2019/07/23/nasa-awards-contract-to-northrop-grumman-for-lunar-gateway-habitat-module/|access-date=11 December 2019|work=Parabolic Arc}} to the outside of which radial docking ports, body-mounted radiators (BMRs), batteries and communications antennae will be added. NASA chose the "minimal" design, which offered the advantage of component compatibility and expedited testing of life-support systems on existing Cygnus spacecraft.{{cite web|date=9 June 2020|title=NASA signs Gateway habitat design contract with Northrop Grumman|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/06/09/nasa-signs-gateway-habitat-design-contract-with-northrop-grumman/|access-date=13 August 2020|publisher=Spaceflight Now}}{{cite web|last1=Gebhardt|first1=Chris|title=Northrop Grumman outlines HALO plans for Gateway's central module|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/08/northrop-halo-plans-gateway/| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220106/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/08/northrop-halo-plans-gateway/| archive-date=2022-01-06|access-date=13 August 2020|website=NASASpaceflight.com|date=7 August 2020}}{{cbignore}}

= Timeline of construction and launch =

On 5 June 2020, NASA awarded Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems a $187 million contract to complete the preliminary design of HALO.{{cite web|date=9 June 2020|title=NASA signs Gateway habitat design contract with Northrop Grumman|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/06/09/nasa-signs-gateway-habitat-design-contract-with-northrop-grumman/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610222822/https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/06/09/nasa-signs-gateway-habitat-design-contract-with-northrop-grumman/|archive-date=10 June 2020|access-date=10 June 2020|publisher=Spaceflight Now}} NASA signed a separate contract with Northrop for the fabrication of the HALO, and for integration with the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE), being built by Maxar, for US$935 million.

In mid 2024, the module reached significant completion and entered into the stress test phase in Thales Alenia's facilities. Upon successful completion of the stress tests, it is planned to be shipped to the US Northrop Grumman facilities to undergo final launch preparation and integration with the Power and Propulsion Element.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-10 |title=Gateway's HALO Making Moves - NASA |url=https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/gateway-halo-making-moves/ |access-date=2024-06-18 |language=en-US}}
The stress testing was successfully completed in October 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-03 |title=Gateway Stands Tall for Stress Test - NASA |url=https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/gateway/gateway-stands-tall-for-stress-test/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |language=en-US}}
In early 2025, it was reported that the Power Management and Distribution Subsystem (PMAD), the station's electrical power component housed within HALO, was completed by Airbus Defense and Space.{{Cite web |last=Parsonson |first=Andrew |date=2025-01-07 |title=Airbus Delivers Key System for NASA's Gateway Space Station |url=https://europeanspaceflight.com/airbus-delivers-key-system-for-nasas-gateway-space-station/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=European Spaceflight |language=en-US}}

Design

The HALO will form an initial scaled-down habitation module. Its primary purpose will be to fulfill the life-support requirements of visiting crew on Orion spacecraft and a space to allow preparations for lunar landing departure.{{Cite journal|last=Lehnhardt|first=Emma|date=21-25 October 2019|title=GATEWAY PROGRAM ACQUISITION STRATEGY OVERVIEW|url=https://www.stellarsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IAC19_5381_Gateway_AQ_Strategy.pdf|journal=70th International Astronautical Congress (IAC)}}{{cite web|last=Messier|first=Doug|url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2019/07/23/nasa-awards-contract-to-northrop-grumman-for-lunar-gateway-habitat-module/|title=NASA Awards Contract to Northrop Grumman for Gateway Habitat Module|publisher=Parabolic Arc|date=23 July 2019|access-date=11 December 2019|archive-date=29 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729005145/http://www.parabolicarc.com/2019/07/23/nasa-awards-contract-to-northrop-grumman-for-lunar-gateway-habitat-module/|url-status=dead}} It will feature a functional pressurized volume providing sufficient command, control and data handling capabilities, energy storage and power distribution, thermal control, communications and tracking capabilities, two axial and up to two radial docking ports, stowage volume, environmental control and life-support systems to augment the Orion spacecraft and support a crew of four for at least 30 days. The exterior of the HALO module will feature body-mounted radiators (BMRs), batteries and communications antennae will be added. One axial docking port will connect to the International logistics and habitat module (I-HAB) and one radial docking port is allocated for use by the Human Landing System. Batteries will be provided by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). These will provide power to the module prior to the deployment of the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) solar arrays and during occultation of the Sun by the Earth and Moon.{{cite web|last=Potter|first=Sean|date=2021-07-08|title=NASA, Northrop Grumman Finalize Moon Outpost Living Quarters Contract|url=http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-northrop-grumman-finalize-moon-outpost-living-quarters-contract|access-date=2022-01-06|website=NASA}} The Canadian Space Agency will be providing interfaces and base point for use by Canadarm 3.

{{Chart/start|style=font-size:80%;line-height:100%;line-width:100%;padding:15px;border:2px dotted #AAA; width:100%;

}}

{{Chart| | | | | | | | | |CD

| CD = Gateway Logistics Services

| boxstyle_CD = border: 2px solid #a3ff66; background:#ffffff;

}}

{{Chart| | | | | | | | | |!

}}

{{Chart| |SA| |HLCS| |ERM

| SA = Roll Out Solar Array#Applications

| HLCS = European_System_Providing_Refueling,_Infrastructure_and_Telecommunications

| ERM = European_System_Providing_Refueling,_Infrastructure_and_Telecommunications

| boxstyle_SA = border: 2px solid #fee067; background:#ffffff;

| boxstyle_HLCS = border: 2px solid #fee067; background:#ffffff;

| boxstyle_ERM = border: 2px solid #6699ff; background:#ffffff;

}}

{{Chart| |PPE|-|HALO|-|I-HAB|-|OD|

| PPE = Power and Propulsion Element

| HALO = HALO
{{Nowrap|logistics and habitat}}

| I-HAB = International Habitation Module

| OD = Orion (spacecraft)

| boxstyle_PPE = border: 2px solid #fee067; background:#ffffff;

| boxstyle_HALO = border: 2px solid #6699ff; background:#6699ff;

| boxstyle_I-HAB = border: 2px solid #6699ff; background:#ffffff;

| boxstyle_OD = border: 2px solid #a3ff66; background:#ffffff;

}}

{{Chart| |SA| |HLSD|

| SA = Roll Out Solar Array#Applications

| HLSD = Artemis program#Human Landing System (HLS)

| boxstyle_SA = border: 2px solid #fee067; background:#ffffff;

| boxstyle_HLSD = border: 2px solid #a3ff66; background:#ffffff;

}}

Science

HALO will host two scientific packages at launch aimed at improving the understanding of space weather and prediction models. The NASA-built Heliophysics Environmental and Radiation Measurement Experiment Suite and the ESA-built European Radiation Sensors Array (ERSA).

=Heliophysics Environmental and Radiation Measurement Experiment Suite (HERMES)=

HERMES will explore Earth's interaction with the solar wind and the behavior of the magnetotail. The hope is to build a better understanding on the causes of space-weather variability as driven by the Sun and modulated by the magnetosphere. The experiment Suite has three science goals: determine mechanisms of solar wind mass and energy transport; characterize energy, topology, and ion composition in the deep magnetotail; and establish observational capabilities of an on-board pathfinder payload measuring local space weather to support deep-space and long-term human exploration.{{Cite web|title=Heliophysics Division HERMES Instrument Update|url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/nasa_hermes_nac_heoc_and_sc_n._fox_1.14.2021_01132021_update.pdf|access-date=7 January 2022|website=nasa.gov}} {{PD-notice}}

The suite will consist of four instruments. Fluxgate and Magneto-Inductive Magnetometers will measure Magnetic Field Vector. Built and supplied by Goddard Space Flight Center. Principal investigators from University of Michigan and Goddard Space Flight Center.

Miniaturized Electron pRoton Telescope (MERiT) to measure ion flux of energies between 1-190 MeV and electron flux of energies between 0.3 - 9 MeV. Built, supplied and operated by Goddard Space Flight Center.

Electron Electrostatic Analyser (EEA) is an electron spectrometer and will measure flux, density, speed and temperature of lower energy electrons of less than 30 KeV. It is built, supplied and operated by Goddard Space Flight Center.

Solar Prove Analyser (SPAN-I) is an ion spectrometer. It will measure the flux, density, speed, temperature and type of low energy ions with energies less than 40KeV. SPAN-I will be supplied and operated by University of California, Berkeley.{{cite web|last=Hatfield|first=Miles|date=2020-11-10|title=Lunar Gateway Instruments to Improve Weather Forecasting for Artemis|url=http://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2020/mini-weather-stations-on-lunar-gateway-to-study-deep-space-environment|url-status=live|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220106/http://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2020/mini-weather-stations-on-lunar-gateway-to-study-deep-space-environment|archive-date=2022-01-06|access-date=2022-01-06|website=NASA}}{{cbignore}}

= European Radiation Sensors Array (ERSA) =

The ESA built European Radiation Sensors Array (ERSA) will measure the effect and impact of the solar wind on astronauts and equipment. The suite will include the Influence sur les Composants Avancés des Radiations de l'Espace (ICARE-NG) to measure ionizing radiation; and the European Active Dosimeter to measure radiation energies.