Thales Alenia Space to Develop Emirates Airlock Module for MBRSC
Thales Alenia Space strengthens its cooperation with the UAE as a key partner in future space missions.
Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has signed an agreement with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) to design and develop the Emirates Crew and Science Airlock Module. This module will be docked to the Lunar Gateway, a cislunar space station that supports future lunar missions. The partnership highlights the UAE’s growing influence in space exploration and technological advancements.
Signing Ceremony in Abu Dhabi
The official signing took place in Abu Dhabi and was attended by prominent figures, including Teodoro Valente, President of the Italian Space Agency (ASI). The event underscored international collaboration in advancing space research and development, strengthening ties between the UAE and global space agencies.
A Strategic Step for the UAE in Space Exploration
The Emirates Airlock will play a crucial role in enabling astronauts to perform extravehicular activities (EVAs), facilitate the transfer of research materials to and from the Lunar Gateway, and serve as an additional docking hub for spacecraft. This initiative positions the UAE as a key player in space exploration while fostering scientific growth and inspiring future generations of engineers and researchers in the region.
Emirates Airlock: A Gateway for Spacewalks and Scientific Research
Designed to support EVA missions, the Emirates Airlock will enhance the operations of the Lunar Gateway by providing a specialized scientific airlock. This module will allow astronauts to store and maintain EVA suits, house critical equipment, and safely transfer scientific experiments between the station’s pressurized interior and the vacuum of space.
Key Development Milestones in 2025
The development of the Emirates Airlock is set to progress through significant milestones in 2025. These include the Mission Concept Review, System Requirements Review, and Preliminary Design Reviews at both the primary structure and system levels. These steps will ensure that the module meets the highest engineering and safety standards before integration with the Lunar Gateway.
“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.”
A Legacy of Expertise in Space Module Design
Thales Alenia Space brings extensive experience in designing pressurized modules, having previously contributed to several key components of the cislunar space station. Their portfolio includes Lunar-View, Lunar-Link, the Lunar I-Hab module for the European Space Agency (ESA), and the HALO pressurized module for Northrop Grumman. With the addition of the Emirates Airlock, the company continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of lunar exploration.
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