While @NASA_Orion is about to make its closest approach to the Moon🌕, the backbone of the fifth @esa European Service module, the one that will serve @NASAArtemis mission V, is getting ready to depart from @Thales_Alenia_S in #Turin, to continue its integration phase in #Bremen.
How fast they grow
Quote from: eeergo on 12/05/2022 02:25 pmHow fast they grow Quite surprising to see the ESM for the Orion spacecraft to be used in the Artemis 5 mission getting ready to be shipped to Bremen ready for final integration just six months after the ESM component of the Orion spacecraft earmarked for the Artemis 4 mission left for the Airbus facility in Bremen.
The spirit of #Artemis V. A first look at the #European Service Module that will power @NASA_Orion and deliver four astronauts as well as the second @esa module to @NASA_Gateway : ESPRIT▶ https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2023/02/Spirit_of_Artemis_V
Quote from: Vahe231991 on 12/05/2022 10:27 pmQuote from: eeergo on 12/05/2022 02:25 pmHow fast they grow Quite surprising to see the ESM for the Orion spacecraft to be used in the Artemis 5 mission getting ready to be shipped to Bremen ready for final integration just six months after the ESM component of the Orion spacecraft earmarked for the Artemis 4 mission left for the Airbus facility in Bremen.IOW-It's quite surprising to see Arty-5's ESM getting ready to be shipped to Airbus-Bremen for final integration just 6 months after the ESM for Arty-4 left for the same facility.Why's it "quite surprising?"
Quote from: Hog on 12/06/2022 06:40 pmQuote from: Vahe231991 on 12/05/2022 10:27 pmQuote from: eeergo on 12/05/2022 02:25 pmHow fast they grow Quite surprising to see the ESM for the Orion spacecraft to be used in the Artemis 5 mission getting ready to be shipped to Bremen ready for final integration just six months after the ESM component of the Orion spacecraft earmarked for the Artemis 4 mission left for the Airbus facility in Bremen.IOW-It's quite surprising to see Arty-5's ESM getting ready to be shipped to Airbus-Bremen for final integration just 6 months after the ESM for Arty-4 left for the same facility.Why's it "quite surprising?"Artemis 4 and 5 are years away, so the contractors for the Orion spacecraft probably chose to manufacture the Orion module for Artemis 5 and ship it to Airbus-Bremen not too long after the Orion module for Artemis 4 because they didn't want to hold their breath waiting for Artemis 5.
Wrong. NASA is putting a lot of pressure on ESA/Airbus to deliver the ESMs per a yearly cadence, starting in 2024 for ESM-4. Bill Nelson came personally to Bremen to pass the message.
There are currently four modules in production in the assembly hall: ESM-3, ESM-4, ESM-5, and ESM-6.
The integration phase for ESM-5 has also commenced, marking progress in the assembly of these essential components.
Airbus is continuing with the build of ESM-6.Airbus ships the third European Service Module to Cape Canaveral on behalf of ESA [Aug. 22, 2024]QuoteRalf Zimmermann, Head of Space Exploration at Airbus, said: “Today’s delivery of the third ESM marks the beginning of yearly ESM deliveries, underlining the importance and reliability of Europe in this transatlantic partnership.” Airbus Defence and Space is under contract up to ESM-6 and long lead items procurement up to ESM-9.ESA to Repurpose European Service Module and Earth Return Orbiter [Nov. 26, 2025]QuoteThe agency has currently contracted Airbus Defence and Space to build six service modules for Orion, designated ESM-1 through ESM-6. NASA’s fiscal 2026 budget request, released in May, proposed canceling the lunar Gateway and ending Orion after Artemis III. However, in July 2025, Congress approved funding for Artemis IV, meaning at least one additional module will now be used. The future of the remaining units is still uncertain.Orion European Service Module [December 2025/January 2026]QuoteBuilding of ESM-4 to ESM-6 at Airbus Bremen cleanroomFollowing its successful completion at Airbus Bremen, the fourth European Service Module (ESM-4) has been delivered to NASA to begin preparations for Artemis IV. ESM-4 will be a vital part of the Artemis IV mission which envisages astronauts going to live and work in humanity’s first lunar space station, Gateway, which will enable new opportunities for science and preparation for human missions to Mars.
Ralf Zimmermann, Head of Space Exploration at Airbus, said: “Today’s delivery of the third ESM marks the beginning of yearly ESM deliveries, underlining the importance and reliability of Europe in this transatlantic partnership.” Airbus Defence and Space is under contract up to ESM-6 and long lead items procurement up to ESM-9.
The agency has currently contracted Airbus Defence and Space to build six service modules for Orion, designated ESM-1 through ESM-6. NASA’s fiscal 2026 budget request, released in May, proposed canceling the lunar Gateway and ending Orion after Artemis III. However, in July 2025, Congress approved funding for Artemis IV, meaning at least one additional module will now be used. The future of the remaining units is still uncertain.
Building of ESM-4 to ESM-6 at Airbus Bremen cleanroomFollowing its successful completion at Airbus Bremen, the fourth European Service Module (ESM-4) has been delivered to NASA to begin preparations for Artemis IV. ESM-4 will be a vital part of the Artemis IV mission which envisages astronauts going to live and work in humanity’s first lunar space station, Gateway, which will enable new opportunities for science and preparation for human missions to Mars.
