Artemis / Gateway Program Station (Uncrewed Initial Launch)

Lunar Gateway

Planned lunar orbital station paused in March 2026 as NASA redirected resources toward a surface-based Moon base program. PPE reallocated to Mars mission; HALO and I-Hab components may be repurposed.

Status Paused

Paused Mar 2026

Orbit NRHO

Partners 5+ nations

Mission Overview

The Lunar Gateway is a planned small space station in a near-rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO) around the Moon — an elongated orbit ranging from about 1,500 km at its closest to 70,000 km at its farthest from the lunar surface. It will serve as a staging point for crewed missions to the Moon and, eventually, deeper into space.

The initial configuration consists of two modules launching together on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket: the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE), built by Maxar Technologies, and the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO), built by Northrop Grumman. Together they provide solar electric propulsion, communications relay capability, and a small habitable volume for visiting crews.

Gateway is an international partnership involving NASA, ESA (providing the I-Hab module and ESPRIT refueling module), JAXA (life support and batteries), CSA (Canadarm3 robotic arm), and other partners. It will not be permanently crewed — rather, astronauts will visit during Artemis missions starting with Artemis IV in approximately 2028.

Technical Overview

Orbit Type NRHO Near-rectilinear halo orbit

Orbital Period ~7 days per orbit

Closest Approach ~1,500 km to lunar surface

Farthest Point ~70,000 km from lunar surface

PPE Power 60 kW solar electric propulsion

PPE Propulsion SEP Advanced ion thrusters

HALO Habitable Volume ~55 m³

HALO Mass ~10,000 kg

Crew Capacity 4 during visits, not permanent

Design Life 15+ years

Mission Objectives

Orbital Infrastructure

Establish the first crewed outpost in lunar orbit, providing a persistent platform in near-rectilinear halo orbit around the Moon.

Staging for Surface Missions

Serve as a waypoint for crew and cargo transfers between Orion and lunar landers, enabling more flexible landing site selection.

Solar Electric Propulsion

Demonstrate high-power solar electric propulsion with the PPE's 60 kW system, enabling station-keeping and potential orbit changes.

International Collaboration

Enable contributions from ESA (I-Hab, ESPRIT), JAXA (life support), CSA (Canadarm3), creating a model for sustained international lunar cooperation.

Deep Space Research

Provide a unique platform for science in cislunar space, including radiation monitoring, space biology experiments, and lunar surface observation.

Spacecraft

Spacecraft diagram coming soon

01 Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) Built by Maxar Technologies. Provides 60 kW of solar electric power and advanced ion thrusters for station-keeping. Also serves as the communications gateway for lunar surface operations.

02 HALO Module Built by Northrop Grumman based on their Cygnus spacecraft design. Provides initial habitable volume (~55 m³), docking ports, environmental control, and life support for visiting crews.

03 I-Hab Module (future) ESA-built International Habitation module by Thales Alenia Space. Will be delivered by Artemis IV, adding crew quarters, additional life support, and science capabilities.

04 ESPRIT Module (future) ESA-provided Enhanced Structure for Providing Refuelling, Infrastructure and Telecommunications. Will add fuel storage, communications, and an observation window.

05 Canadarm3 (future) CSA-provided robotic arm system for external maintenance, payload handling, and assisting with docking operations. Will include autonomous operation capability.

Mission Updates

Cancellation March 24, 2026

NASA Pauses Gateway, Redirects Resources to Moon Base

At NASA's 'Ignition' event, Administrator Jared Isaacman announced the agency is pausing Gateway in its current form and shifting focus to a three-phase Moon base program with at least $30 billion in investment over the next decade. The PPE is being reallocated to the Space Reactor-1 Freedom mission to Mars. HALO and I-Hab components may be redirected to support surface operations. NASA emphasized Gateway is "paused," not cancelled, but a future lunar station is unlikely to resemble the original design.

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Milestone January 2026

PPE Powers On for First Time

The Gateway's Power and Propulsion Element successfully powered on for the first time, demonstrating it can generate 60 kilowatts of power. Roll-out solar arrays completed testing at Redwire's facility in California.

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Milestone 2024

NASA Confirms Gateway Launch on Falcon Heavy

NASA confirmed the PPE and HALO modules of the Lunar Gateway will launch together on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, targeting no earlier than late 2027. The integrated modules are being assembled and tested at various contractor facilities.