\tScience & Exploration<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t20\/11\/2025
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Today, the European Space Agency\u2019s Argonaut lunar lander programme welcomes new members to its growing family. At ESA\u2019s European Astronaut Centre (EAC) near Cologne, Germany, Thales Alenia Space Italy \u2013 the prime contractor for Argonaut\u2019s first lander \u2013 signed agreements with Thales Alenia Space in France, OHB in Germany, and Thales Alenia Space and Nammo in the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tArgonaut<\/a><\/p>\n Argonaut<\/a> represents Europe\u2019s autonomous, versatile and reliable access to the Moon. Starting with the first mission in 2030, Argonaut landers will be launched on Ariane 6 rockets, each delivering up to 1.5 tonnes of exploration-enabling cargo to the Moon\u2019s surface, from scientific instruments and rovers to vital resources for astronauts such as food, water and air.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Earlier this year, ESA selected Thales Alenia Space Italy<\/a> to lead the development of the first Argonaut lander, or Lunar Descent Element. Today\u2019s signing ceremony took place in a symbolic location: the LUNA analogue facility at EAC, home to a full-scale Argonaut model \u2013 a tangible vision of Europe\u2019s future presence on the Moon.\u00a0<\/p>\n \tMeet the team <\/p>\n The industrial team for the Argonaut Lunar Descent Element brings together expertise from across Europe:\u00a0<\/p>\n Thales Alenia Space, Italy: prime contractor and system integrator, leading the consortium building the lander and in charge of assembling and testing the structure.\u00a0<\/p>\n Thales Alenia Space, France: developing and validating the data-handling subsystem and on-board computers.\u00a0<\/p>\n OHB System AG, Germany: providing guidance, navigation and control systems as well as telecommunications, electrical power systems and key hardware such as solar arrays and batteries.\u00a0<\/p>\n Thales Alenia Space, United Kingdom: responsible for the propulsion subsystem development and procuring major components such as propellant tanks.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nammo, United Kingdom: designing and supplying the lunar lander\u2019s main engine.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Argonaut lunar lander family<\/a><\/p>\n \tForward to the Moon<\/p>\n