A Little Update on NASA's Gateway Station

img src: NASA

Just four days prior, I wrote about the new Gateway space station NASA is working on to place around the Moon. NASA had just dropped the RFP for the power and propulsion module which will keep the space station in place in its funky orbit for 15 years (2022 to 2037).

NASA has since come out with more information in the form of a briefing and there are two standout slides:

img src: NASA

The first module, the PPE, will go into place in 2022. The contractor will launch on a commercial rocket, then under its own power have the PPE arrive to the designated orbit and then do check out while there to prove it will remain in the proper spot.

The next flight will be in 2023, when the EM-3 Orion with astronauts will deliver the first two modules to the station. One will be an American made pressurized module and the second will be the European made ESPIRIT module that will allow for refueling and communications with Earth. Originally, the airlock was going to be part of this mission, but it has been deferred until after 2020 for the decision on how to buy it and who will provide it. The Russians were claiming they were providing that element, but with the deferment and political considerations, that is looking increasingly in question.

The next pieces are going to fly in 2024. An international partner (whether Europe, Japan or some other nation) will provide a habitation module and the US will provide a logistics module. Potentially, the robotic arm will be placed on the station on the first logistical flight (see below).

The next piece would be a US provided hab module. This is, at least in the graphics, an inflated module like the BEAM provided by Bigelow Aerospace for the ISS.

img src: NASA

One of the slides also had an interesting but that NASA would be seeking resupply missions on rockets other than the Space Launch System. Blue Origin's New Glenn and SpaceX's Big Falcon Rocket and/or Falcon Heavy could be used. The first resupply mission would be in 2024 and probably carry the probably Canadian robotic arm to the Gateway Station. NASA might seek to have contracts made out to resupply the Gateway Station much like they have for the International Space Station.

It is possible, though purely speculative, that NASA would also have commercial crew flights to the Gateway Station as well. if that were the case, the Orion capsules would be berthed at Gateway and only be used for deep space missions. They would only return to earth for replacement or in emergencies.

NASA updates Lunar Gateway plans
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/09/nasa-lunar-gateway-plans/

NASA-JAXA Joint Statement on Collaborative Efforts for Lunar Exploration and Beyond
http://www.parabolicarc.com/2018/09/11/nasajaxa-joint-statement-collaborative-efforts-lunar-exploration/