When NASA’s Space Launch System roared into the sky from Kennedy Space Center in the early hours of 2 April (CEST), it carried four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft on the first crewed mission of the Artemis program, marking humanity’s return to deep space operations beyond low-Earth orbit in more than 50 years.
At the heart of the mission is a critical piece of European engineering: the European Service Module, developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). Often described as the “powerhouse” of Orion, the module is responsible for keeping both the spacecraft and its crew alive and on course throughout the 10-day journey around the moon.
The European Service Module provides propulsion, power and life support for the Orion spacecraft. It generates electricity via four large solar arrays, supplies air and water to the crew, regulates onboard temperatures, and performs the key engine burns needed to send Orion towards the moon and guide it safely home.
Built by European industry and led by Airbus in Bremen, Germany, the module represents a major collaborative effort across the continent. It draws on contributions from 13 ESA member states, involving around 20 primary contractors and more than 100 suppliers – highlighting the scale of Europe’s industrial base in space.
Josef Aschbacher, director general of the European Space Agency, said the mission underscores Europe’s growing importance in global space exploration, describing Artemis II as confirmation of ESA’s “essential role” in humanity’s return to the moon.
The module’s propulsion system is built around three distinct engine types, each serving a specific purpose during the mission. A single main engine provides the major thrust required to send Orion on its lunar trajectory, supported by eight auxiliary engines used for course corrections and redundancy.
For fine control, 24 smaller reaction control thrusters arranged in six pods allow the spacecraft to precisely orient and manoeuvre in deep space, firing individually or in coordinated bursts to maintain accuracy during the mission.
European teams will support the mission around the clock from multiple locations, including ESA’s technical centre in the Netherlands, mission support roles at Johnson Space Center, and the European Astronaut Centre in Germany.
On board Orion are NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, alongside Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency. The crew will travel on a lunar fly-by trajectory, venturing thousands of kilometres beyond the moon before returning to Earth for a Pacific Ocean splashdown off the coast of California.
While no European astronaut is aboard this flight, ESA’s contribution is fundamental. The European Service Module will separate from the crew capsule shortly before re-entry, burning up in the atmosphere after completing its mission.
ESA’s director of human and robotic exploration, Daniel Neuenschwander, said the mission showcases the strength of Europe’s space industry and lays the groundwork for future contributions not only to Artemis, but to Europe’s own ambitions in human and robotic exploration.
As Artemis II circles the moon, it stands as a powerful example of international cooperation in space – where American leadership and European engineering are combining to push the boundaries of human exploration once again.
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