Airbus unveiled the European service module for Artemis lunar missions

Airbus plans to demonstrate the European service module for NASA's Orion missions to the moon, the company has announced.

Airbus invited the media to take part in a virtual visit on Wednesday, October 6, to observe the delivery of the European Service Module ESM-2 and to view the ESM-3. These modules are key parts of Europe's contribution to NASA's mission Artemis to the Moon.

During the virtual visit, members of the media will be able to see the European service modules - ESM-2, which will be ready for delivery to NASA's Kennedy Space Center, and ESM-3, which is nearing completion in late 2022, Airbus said.

The first module, ESM-1, is already fully integrated with the Orion capsule and is in final preparations to launch Artemis I, the first crewless lunar mission. The second Artemis mission, ESM-2, will deliver up to four astronauts in orbit around the moon; ESM-3 will deliver the first humans to land on the lunar surface.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is overseeing development of the European Service Module; the module provides air, electricity and propulsion for the Orion spacecraft.

Source: airbus, spacewatch

Illustration: @NASAArtemis