The Gateway international partners mentioned below will provide important contributions to the lunar outpost, comprising advanced external robotics, additional habitation, refueling capability, and possibly other enhancements. These partnerships mark a critical part of NASA’s efforts to lead an unprecedented global coalition to the Moon, further contributing to the creation of a dynamic and sustainable lunar exploration architecture.
European Space Agency (ESA):
In October 2020, ESA signed an agreement with NASA to contribute habitation and refueling modules and enhanced lunar communications to the Gateway. The ESA-provided International Habitation module, I-HAB, will enhance Gateway capabilities for scientific research, life support systems and crew living quarters. These capabilities enable longer duration crewed Gateway missions. The refueling module will also include crew observation windows. The enhanced lunar communications module will be integrated with the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) module pre-launch and provide high rate communications relay between Gateway and elements on the lunar surface. ESA contractors are completing designs and will begin constructing both the enhanced lunar communications system and the I-HAB in late 2021.
Canadian Space Agency (CSA):
In December 2020, Canada signed an agreement with NASA to participate in the Gateway and provide advanced external robotics. The CSA-provided external robotics system includes a next-generation robotic arm, Canadarm3, for Gateway. Canadarm3 will move end-over-end to reach many parts of the Gateway’s exterior, where its anchoring “hand” will plug into specially designed interfaces. CSA also will provide robotic interfaces for Gateway modules, which will enable payload installation including that of the first two scientific instruments launching on the inaugural Gateway elements.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA):
In December 2020, Japan finalized an agreement with NASA to provide several capabilities for the Gateway’s I-HAB, which will provide the heart of Gateway life support capabilities and additional space where crew will live, work, and conduct research during Artemis missions. JAXA’s planned contributions include I-HAB’s environmental control and life support system, batteries, thermal control, and imagery components, which will be integrated into the module by ESA prior to launch. These capabilities are critical for sustained Gateway operations during crewed and uncrewed time periods.