Developed by Airbus under contract to the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Service Module (ESM-4) will soon undergo a series of tests and integration with the Orion Crew Module ahead of its role in the Artemis IV mission. This flight will see astronauts work aboard the Lunar Gateway, humanity’s first space station orbiting the moon, serving as a base for scientific research and deep space exploration.
“Delivering the fourth ESM takes us one step closer to a new space era with a lunar space station and expanded opportunities for deep space science,” said Ralf Zimmermann, Airbus head of space exploration. “Europe’s contribution through ESA is essential to this pioneering NASA-led program.”
ESA’s director of human and robotic exploration, Daniel Neuenschwander, said the latest delivery highlights Europe’s industrial and technological role in advancing human spaceflight. “ESM-4 will be key to Artemis IV, which is set to deliver the International Habitation Module (Lunar I-Hab) to the Gateway. This cutting-edge system, developed by Airbus Defence and Space and its partners across Europe, demonstrates our capacity to contribute to major international endeavours.”
Each European Service Module is central to the Orion spacecraft, providing propulsion, electrical power, water, oxygen and temperature control. Positioned beneath the crew capsule, the ESM ensures life support and manoeuvrability during deep-space missions.
Thales Alenia Space Italia designed the thermal control system, which maintains cabin temperatures between 18 degrees and 24 degrees, dissipating excess heat while protecting against the freezing cold of space.
Orion’s four solar arrays generate 11.2 kilowatts of electricity enough to power two average four-person households on Earth. Roughly 10 per cent of that energy powers the ESM itself, with the remainder supporting the crew module’s systems and batteries. Data from Artemis I revealed the solar panels produced more energy than expected, providing additional flexibility for future missions.
Equipped with 33 engines, the ESM gives Orion the ability to perform critical manoeuvres, including translunar injection burns and lunar orbit insertion. Its main engine – a refurbished Space Shuttle Orbital Manoeuvring System Engine – delivers 26.5 kilonewtons of thrust. Auxiliary and attitude control thrusters handle fine manoeuvring and orientation adjustments.
With ESM-4 en route to the United States, Airbus and ESA move one step closer to supporting NASA’s long-term goal of sustained human presence beyond Earth orbit – and, eventually, on the surface of Mars.