Airbus lands $275M space pact

BREMEN, Germany - Airbus-Europe has landed a potential $275.1M contract to build another Orion spacecraft module for the European Space Agency to support NASA's manned deep space exploration goals. The company said May 26 it will produce the third European Service Module (ESM) designed to fly with Lockheed Martin's spacecraft as part of the Artemis III Mission to bring astronauts to the moon in 2024. The cylindrical hardware is intended to function as Orion's main propulsion system, support orbital maneuvering, and position control procedures. ESM will also provide life support elements - oxygen, water, and thermal regulation for the crew. Artemis III will be the first mission to land astronauts on the Moon under the program, following the uncrewed Artemis I and the Artemis II lunar flyby. (Source: Airbus 05/26/20) https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/05/airbus-wins-esa-contract-to-construct-third-european-service-module-for-nasas-orion-spacecraft.html