Lunar habitat module project advances under Thales Alenia Space and ASI agreement

Lunar habitat module project advances under Thales Alenia Space and ASI agreement
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Jul 25, 2025

Thales Alenia Space has signed a contract with the Italian Space Agency (ASI) to carry out the preliminary design and technology development for the Multi-Purpose Habitation (MPH) module, set to become the first human habitat on the Moon's surface. The MPH module is scheduled for launch in 2033 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center under the Artemis Accords between NASA and ASI.

As part of the Artemis lunar exploration program, the MPH module will support a broad range of human and robotic activities on the Moon. It will house astronauts during surface missions, enable scientific investigations with or without a crew, support lunar operations, and feature mobility across the Moon's terrain. The design targets a minimum 10-year operational lifespan and will integrate with other Artemis system components to enhance mission flexibility and sustainability.

During the two-year contract period, Thales Alenia Space Italy will serve as the prime contractor. The company will collaborate with Altec-jointly owned by Thales Alenia Space and ASI-and other Italian aerospace firms to lead the module's preliminary development. The initial phase will address key technological challenges including thermal extremes, lunar dust, radiation exposure, micrometeoroids, and reduced gravity conditions.

Teodoro Valente, President of ASI, stated, "MPH represents yet another scientific challenge for Italy and ASI, which are planning to bring a comfortable and safe human settlement to the lunar surface, thanks to the expertise and high, competitive technological standards that Thales Alenia Space Italy has acquired internationally in the field of space habitability. The future lunar module, the result of the historic relationship between NASA and ASI, is part of a long-term investment vision that Italy has implemented, enabling us to play an increasingly leading role in the new space race and, moreover, to be a fundamental part of the Moon to Mars Strategy of NASA's Artemis program. Today's signature confirms the Italian Government's significant and ongoing commitment to supporting the development of the Space Economy and supporting Italy's globally recognized excellence. Furthermore, it is important that this act comes just days after Parliament's approval of the country's first 'Space Law'."

Giampiero Di Paolo, Deputy CEO and Executive Vice President for Observation, Exploration and Navigation at Thales Alenia Space, added, "We are deeply honored that ASI has entrusted Thales Alenia Space with this contract to develop the MPH, giving us, as a leading European company, the opportunity to drive scientific and technological progress in building the first Italian human outpost on the lunar surface. This milestone will further strengthen and advance human space exploration on the Moon and beyond."