The European Space Agency (ECA) entered into a contract with Thales Alenia Space in the amount of 862 million euros, which provides for the creation and launch of the first European lunar landing module Argonaut. The landing module is designed to deliver a variety of goods to the moon. He will be able to work in harsh conditions of the moon for 5 years, writes Space.

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Argonaut consists of three main components: a lunar landing module that provides a flight to the moon and landing on its surface, payload and cargo platform.

It is planned that the first flight of the first European landing module Argonaut will be held in 2030. It will have a load capacity of 2000 kilograms. The module will be able to deliver supplies for astronauts, spacecraft, such as lunar drives, scientific and technological beneficial goods, and elements for lunar bases.

It is assumed that the first mission will be associated with the delivery of special navigation and telecommunication beneficial goods, as well as energy generation and storage systems, since Eka is going to explore the southern polar region of the moon.

According to Eka, the Argonaut landing module is designed for a long service life on the surface of the moon, since it is able to withstand sharp temperature changes between the lunar night and day? for five years. Its durability will contribute to a sustainable study of the moon.

Representatives of ECA say that Argonaut will allow Europe to make a significant contribution to international partnership, simultaneously paving the path to the sustainable presence of a person on the moon.

The Argonaut mission is one of the ways in which ECA is involved in international research projects, in particular in the Artemis program under the leadership of NASA.

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