NASA has successfully built its heart for the future moon station in Italy. The HALO (Habitation And Logistics Outpost) pressurized module, designed to be a transit post for astronauts returning from the moon, was constructed by Thales Alenia Space in Turin. The module is set to arrive in the US in March where Northrop Grumman will complete its internal setup. Its launch is scheduled for 2027.
HALO is a crucial part of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to bring astronauts back to the moon and collaborate with international partners such as the European Space Agency and Italian Space Agency. The module will serve as the first nucleus of the Gateway space station, allowing astronauts to live and work before heading to lunar missions. Its operational life is expected to be 15 years.
This milestone marks a significant step forward in NASA’s plans for future space exploration, particularly those aimed at Mars. Thales Alenia Space Italia’s CEO Giampiero Di Paolo stated that the company aims to contribute to lunar exploration through international cooperation and innovation. The Gateway space station will serve as a starting point for human missions in deep space, including those directed towards Mars.
Source: https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2025/02/20/heart-of-moon-space-station-made-in-italy_f4a54355-dc6b-4e9f-a54d-316aa04e72f4.html