Today, the European Space Agency’s Argonaut lunar lander programme welcomes new members to its growing family. At ESA’s European Astronaut Centre (EAC) near Cologne, Germany, Thales Alenia Space Italy – the prime contractor for Argonaut’s first lander – signed agreements with Thales Alenia Space in France, OHB in Germany, and Thales Alenia Space and Nammo in the United Kingdom.Argonaut represents Europe’s autonomous, versatile and reliable access to the Moon. Starting with the first mission in 2030, Argonaut landers will be launched on Ariane 6 rockets, each delivering up to 1.5 tonnes of exploration-enabling cargo to the Moon’s surface, from scientific instruments and rovers to vital resources for astronauts such as food, water and air. Earlier this year, ESA selected Thales Alenia Space Italy to lead the development of the first Argonaut lander, or Lunar Descent Element. Today’s signing ceremony took place in a symbolic location: the LUNA analogue facility at EAC, home to a full-scale Argonaut model – a tangible vision of Europe’s future presence on the Moon. Meet the teamThe industrial team for the Argonaut Lunar Descent Element brings together expertise from across Europe: • Thales Alenia Space, Italy: prime contractor and system integrator, leading the consortium building the lander and in charge of assembling and testing the structure. • Thales Alenia Space, France: developing and validating the data-handling subsystem and on-board computers. • OHB System AG, Germany: providing guidance, navigation and control systems as well as telecommunications, electrical power systems and key hardware such as solar arrays and batteries. • Thales Alenia Space, United Kingdom: responsible for the propulsion subsystem development and procuring major components such as propellant tanks. • Nammo, United Kingdom: designing and supplying the lunar lander’s main engine. Forward to the MoonArgonaut will play a central role in future robotic and crewed missions, supporting international efforts such as NASA’s Artemis programme to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon. By providing Europe with independent access to our natural satellite, Argonaut reinforces Europe’s role as a trusted partner in global space exploration.
Thales Alenia Space has signed multiple contracts shaping the core industrial team that will build the European Space Agency (ESA) Argonaut Lunar Descent Element. ESA’s Argonaut Mission, planned for launch from the 2030s, will deliver cargo, infrastructure and scientific instruments to the Moon’s surface.These contracts follow the one already signed between ESA and Thales Alenia Space in January 2025. It referred to the design, development and delivery of the Lunar Descent Element (LDE), including responsibility for mission design and integration.[...]The consortium at a glance:Thales Alenia Space in Italy: prime contractor and end-to-end system integrator including architectures definition, final verification and validation as well as assembly integration and testing.Thales Alenia Space in France: responsible for the design, development, and validation of the Data Handling Sub-System, including Middleware software, as well as the procurement of its component equipment including On-Board Computers.Thales Alenia Space in the UK: responsible for the Propulsion subsystem development and for the procurement of main components, in particular Propellant tanks and Thruster.OHB System AG: responsible for guidance, navigation and control (GNC), electrical power systems (EPS) and telecommunications (TT&C) subsystem, as well as procurement of its component equipment (Solar array, batteries, LIDAR, series of transponder).Nammo (Nordic Ammunition Company): responsible for the design and procurement of the Main Engine, critical assets, not only for the propulsion subsystem but also for the entire Argonaut LDE end item.
