Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Deep space architecture.
Credit: NASA

Thales Alenia Space has signed a trio of contracts with U.S. companies to help shape NASA’s Deep Space Gateway and Deep Space Transport projects.

The work is being done under the framework of the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP-2) activities with Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Orbital–ATK.

Deep space infrastructure

Thales Alenia Space support to the U.S. partner’s activities in NextSTEP is primarily focused on the definition of a key core element of the cislunar infrastructure, i.e. the Habitat Module, but with potential additional contributions in terms of general Deep Space Gateway architecture and other composing elements, such as a potential airlock.

Thales Alenia Space is drawing upon its track record of work, including ISS Pressurized Modules, both permanently operative in orbit like the Nodes or used to support ISS cargo logistic like the Cygnus resupply vehicle.

Credit: Orbital -ATK

This new support includes overall module configuration to layout, structures, micrometeoroid and radiation protection, as well as thermal control.

Proving ground

“Based on a public-private partnership model, the next step for human spaceflight is the development of deep space exploration capabilities to expand architectures to support more extensive missions in the proving ground around and beyond cis-lunar space and then towards deep space and, ultimately, Mars,” explains a Thales Alenia Space press statement.