Europe has taken a significant step in lunar exploration by signing a contract with Thales Alenia Space to build its first moon lander, Argonaut. This lander is expected to be ready by 2030 and will play a crucial role in future lunar missions, including delivering supplies and infrastructure for potential lunar bases.
Argonaut is designed to be a versatile and long-lasting spacecraft, capable of surviving the harsh lunar environment for up to five years. It will have a payload capacity of 2,000 kilograms, allowing it to transport a variety of cargo, including scientific instruments, rovers, and essential supplies for astronauts.
This mission marks a major milestone for Europe's space program and its ambitions for lunar exploration. It also highlights the growing international collaboration in space exploration, with Argonaut contributing to NASA's Artemis program and other global efforts to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon.