Thales Alenia Space signs a contract with Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre to develop the Emirates Airlock Module, a critical element of Lunar Gateway
Thales Alenia Space strengthens its cooperation with the UAE as a key partner in future space missions
UAE, February 5, 2025 – Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has signed a contract with Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), the scientific and technological hub driving the UAE’s leadership in space services and exploration, for the design and development of the Emirates Crew and Science Airlock Module to be docked to Lunar Gateway cislunar space station.
The signing ceremony in Abu Dhabi was also attended by Teodoro Valente, President of the Italian Space Agency (ASI).
The Airlock will allow astronauts to perform spacewalks, transfer research to and from the lunar station, and serve as an additional docking port for spacecraft vehicles. This contribution to Gateway will establish the UAE as a major player in space exploration, develop the Science Community in the UAE and prepare the next generations of scientists and engineers to support space programs.
The Emirates Airlock will be designed to allow extravehicular activities (EVA) for astronauts, enhance Gateway operations and utilization, and offer a scientific airlock capability.
This pressurized module will provide space for the storage and maintenance of EVA suits, EVA-related tools and equipment, as well as a science airlock for transferring scientific experiments and Gateway hardware between the pressurized volume and the exterior of the cislunar space station.
The key milestones planned for 2025 are the Mission Concept Review followed by the System Requirements Review and the Preliminary Design Reviews at primary structure and, respectively, system level.
“I would like to sincerely thank the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) for putting its trust in our company”, Thales Alenia Space CEO, Hervé Derrey, said. “This new pressurized element is crucial for Lunar Gateway as it will be designed to enable extravehicular activities for astronauts in particular. We are delighted to accompany the MBRSC and the UAE bold vision in space exploration and support their commitment to international partners. This new contract emphasizes even more Thales Alenia Space’s leading positions in the fields of space transportation systems, orbital infrastructures and deep space exploration”.
“I want to express my gratitude to the MBRSC for entrusting Thales Alenia Space in the manufacturing of the Emirates crew and science airlock module dedicated to Lunar Gateway” said Giampiero Di Paolo, Deputy CEO and Senior Vice President, Observation, Exploration and Navigation at Thales Alenia Space. “This partnership is a significant milestone, reflecting the trust the UAE has placed in our expertise and commitment to advancing space exploration. The Airlock module paves the way to the UAE’s remarkable commitment to innovation and excellence in space endeavours. Our goal is to work with the space community to contribute to lunar exploration and to continuous presence on the lunar surface. In that sense, we continuously invest in new technological developments and foster innovation. Challenges like this stimulate us and our supply chain for the benefit of the whole space ecosystem”.
Our company has leveraged its longstanding experience in pressurized modules to offer a fifth module for the cislunar space station, including Lunar-View, Lunar-Link, Lunar I-Hab for ESA, HALO’s pressurized module for Northrop Grumman and now the Emirates airlock module.
About MBRSC
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), established in 2006, is a leading scientific and technological hub driving the UAE’s leadership in space services and exploration. MBRSC has grown to become the incubator of the UAE National Space Programme, fostering scientific research, innovation and building a sustainable space sector in the UAE. MBRSC is committed to innovation, collaboration, and excellence in all aspects of space exploration and development.