#insights

In 2021, the United Nations designated July 20th as the day to pay tribute to Earth’s only natural satellite. It was in Resolution 76/76 on “International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space” that this day was declared as International Moon Day. The recognition of the satellite is well-deserved, and its influence on our planet is well-proven, although still under study.

The date also refers to a significant milestone in the space race. The famous Apollo 11 moon landing occurred precisely on July 20, 1969. In 1972, the Apollo 17 mission would mark the last time humans set foot on the Moon. After these milestones, interest in lunar-focused space missions significantly waned. This phenomenon can be attributed to various reasons such as geopolitical factors (during the Cold War, the moon landing was seen as a symbolic victory for the United States over the Soviet Union, after which the initial momentum faded), changes in priorities and budgets, or the perception that lunar exploration did not offer new significant challenges after the successful Apollo missions.

However, interest in the Moon has resurged, driven by technological advances and the interest of countries and private companies in lunar exploration. This renewed focus is not only motivated by scientific questions but also by the possibility of establishing permanent bases on the Moon, which would mark a change in the dynamics of space exploration. This permanent human settlement on the Moon would have a significant impact on future space exploration, as it would allow for a lunar launch port from which missions to Mars would be launched. Furthermore, the interest is fuelled by the potential natural resources that could be obtained, commercial interests, and of course, technological development.

Upcoming Lunar Space Missions

Following this resurgence in interest in the Moon, the goal has been to replicate the feats of the 1960s and 1970s, and there is already a plan for this under the Artemis program.

Led by NASA but with the collaboration of half a dozen Space Agencies and private commercial partners, Artemis is conceived as a project of several missions aimed at achieving not only a new moon landing but also regular missions with an orbital platform (Lunar Gateway) that will serve as a logistical hub for the next lunar exploration.

The Artemis program is planned in 5 missions with specific milestones for each:

• Artemis I – Launch of the SLS rocket and the Orion spacecraft (successfully completed in 2022)
• Artemis II – First manned flight (estimated for 2025).
• Artemis III – Manned moon landing (estimated for 2026).
• Artemis IV – Mission to the Lunar Gateway (estimated for 2028).
• Artemis V-IX – Preparation for the start of regular missions (estimated between 2030 and 2034).

Sener and its Participation in Lunar Gateway

The Lunar Orbital Platform (LOP-G), also known as Lunar Gateway, is an international project aimed at designing and conceiving a platform that will orbit around the Moon. The space station will include modules for power and propulsion, habitability, infrastructure and telecommunications, logistics, and an airlock module for spacewalks.

Sener is participating in this project with several contracts related to the different modules:

• In one of the habitable modules, it will develop for Thales Alenia Space Italy the definition of interfaces for robotic arms and their secondary structure.
• For Airbus, it will be responsible for the design of the four doors and the interior secondary structure.
• In the infrastructure module, Sener will conduct for Thales Alenia Space France the study defining elements for onboard robotic arms, a motorized door, and the communication antenna pointing mechanism.
• Sener will also be involved in the lunar lander vehicle, designing the structure of the mechanisms and thermal control for Airbus.
• Sener will also participate in the conception of rigid joint mechanisms between the different modules that will be assembled in orbit.
• For future ESA missions, the Sener group will tackle the development of the deployable S-band antenna integrated into the ascent module, which serves for mission data transmission from the lunar surface, as well as for telemetry and telecommand communications during the ascent and descent manoeuvres of the modules.

The space station in which Sener is involved through these projects will maintain an elliptical trajectory around the Moon and will serve as a strategic starting point for future missions. It will facilitate the collection of astronauts and terrestrial supplies and will serve to ease transport and communications.

It will also be key as a temporary refuge for astronauts and a work center, as various types of research can be conducted there.

In summary, today we celebrate a symbolically important day concerning the study of the Moon. A field that, thanks to missions like Lunar Gateway, will continue to develop and provide us with learnings.