ESA Contracts Thales Alenia Space-Led Consortium for First Lunar Lander

ESA Contracts Thales Alenia Space-Led Consortium for First Lunar Lander
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Jan 30, 2025

The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded Thales Alenia Space, located in Italy, a significant contract to lead a European consortium tasked with building the Argonaut Lunar Descent Element (LDE), which will be ESA's first-ever lunar lander.

Scheduled to begin operations in the early 2030s, the Argonaut lander will serve as Europe's gateway to autonomous and adaptable access to the Moon, playing a vital role in international lunar exploration.

Its mission will include delivering infrastructure, scientific instruments, rovers, and technology demonstrations, as well as critical resources for astronauts, such as food, water, and breathable air. Designed to endure the extreme temperatures and conditions of the lunar surface, Argonaut is expected to operate for five years, enabling sustainable lunar exploration even through the harsh lunar night.

Argonaut will integrate with ESA's Gateway Lunar Link system and support the Moonlight communications and navigation framework, further strengthening Europe's contributions to international lunar missions. It will serve as a key element in NASA's Artemis program and commercial lunar services, advancing the goal of establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon.

"The Argonaut contract signature is a pivotal moment for Europe's lunar exploration ambitions," said Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA Director for Human and Robotic Exploration.

"This first-of-its-kind European lunar lander demonstrates ESA's dedication to advancing our industrial capabilities in deep space exploration. Argonaut will enable Europe to contribute meaningfully to international partnerships, while paving the way for a sustainable human presence on the Moon. Europe is on its journey to the Moon and has broken the ground towards European autonomy in Exploration."

The industrial consortium building the Lunar Descent Element includes Thales Alenia Space in Italy (the prime contractor), along with Thales Alenia Space entities in the UK and France, and OHB.

The Argonaut LDE is slated for delivery in 2030, ahead of its inaugural mission, ArgoNET, set to launch in 2031. The consortium responsible for ArgoNET will be selected by the end of 2026, following the completion of the current definition phase.