The Gateway is the next structure to be launched in a partnership similar to the International Space Station. This interview with ESA’s team leader for the International Habitat, I-Hab, Sara Pastor, talks about the Gateway and ESA’s contributions to the lunar outpost.

Almost 50 years after the first human landing on the Moon, the Gateway will support human and robotic access to the lunar surface. It will offer a platform for scientific discovery in deep space and build invaluable experience for the challenges of future human missions to Mars.

ESA contributions includes I-Hab and the ESPRIT refuelling module. The first ESPRIT element will be accommodated on NASA’s HALO module, while the second and main system, called European Refuelling module, will provide Xenon and bi-propellant refuelling.

In return, among other benefits, ESA will fly European astronauts to the Gateway and will conduct scientific and technology activities. The first ESA payload to fly to the Gateway, the European Radiation Sensors Array, will monitor radiation to help researchers gain a complete understanding of cosmic and solar rays and provide useful information on to how to keep astronauts safe.