France and Italy Collaborate to Construct a Lunar Habitat

France and Italy are joining forces to create a facility for upcoming moon bases. The Franco-Italian technology company Thales Alenia Space and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) have entered into a contract to design the Multi-Purpose Habitat (MPH) for NASA’s Artemis project.

In recent aerospace endeavors, considerable focus has been dedicated to establishing the capability to send astronauts back to the Moon and establish a lasting human presence as part of NASA’s Artemis project. Yet, once these space travelers disembark from their lander, the need arises for a designated space to store their equipment and unwind.

Thales Alenia Space’s Background in Orbital Habitats Positions Them as a Logical Choice for ASI’s Italian Lunar Module Initiative

Thales Alenia Space has previously engaged in the development of orbital habitats such as ESA’s ESPRIT and I-HAB, along with Northrop Grumman’s HALO, designed to support NASA’s Lunar Gateway space station for lunar and deep-space crewed missions. Therefore, they appear to be a logical choice for the Italian Space Agency (ASI) as it ventures into constructing an Italian lunar habitat module.

The Multi-Purpose Habitat (MPH) is currently more of a conceptual idea, having passed NASA’s Element Initiation Review in mid-October, with plans for a Mission Concept Review (MCR) early next year. Meanwhile, the company is in the process of coordinating with various entities to establish the intricate infrastructure and supply chains necessary for the actual habitat’s creation.

The revealed concept appears rather straightforward – essentially, a metallic cylinder positioned on articulated legs with solar panels, a communication dish, and an ASI flag. However, it must transcend being a mere glossy cabin with an airlock.

Protecting Lunar Residents

Once operational, the Multi-Purpose Habitat (MPH) must shield its occupants from intense cosmic radiation and the extreme lunar temperatures ranging from 250 °F (120 °C) during the day to -208 °F (-130° C) at night or in the shadows. Additionally, it necessitates a life support system capable of providing air, water, and stable, habitable temperatures for durations surpassing the few days the old Apollo Lunar Module of the Space Race era could manage.

Moreover, it should be linked to a power source capable of sustaining the habitat through the lunar night, resistant to the adhering and destructive lunar dust, and compatible with other hardware essential for completing the lunar base.

The interior design has not been addressed yet, but considering the dimensions of the Multi-Purpose Habitat (MPH), it is likely to be designed with a cozy atmosphere.

Franco Fenoglio, Head of Human Planetary Exploration and Robotics Programs at Thales Alenia Space, expressed, “MPH will mark a historic milestone as the first Italian habitation module to operate on the lunar surface. This is a matter of great pride for our company, which has the unique technical and organizational skills to overcome challenges of this kind.”

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