Powering Our Return to the Moon | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

NASA teams up with MAXAR Technologies to launch and demonstrate the Power & Propulsion Element (PPE) of the lunar orbiting station, GATEWAY, to advance human exploration and enable sustained missions on the Moon.

Key Insights

• 🥅 The partnership between NASA and MAXAR Technologies will accelerate the Artemis program's goal of returning humans to the Moon by 2024.
• ♿ The GATEWAY will be a critical component in sustaining human presence on the Moon and will enable access to previously unexplored regions.
• ✊ The PPE, as part of the GATEWAY, will provide necessary power, propulsion, and communication capabilities for future lunar missions.
• ✊ The partnership will showcase advanced Hall Thruster Technology, significantly improving the efficiency and power of Solar Electric Propulsion systems.

Transcript

We are going to the Moon to inspire the next generation... to advance our understanding of the universe so that we can share the benefits with all, here and now. We are going to use partners who see the critical roles they play as nothing short of advancing the cause of humanity. Today we take the next step in the Artemis program towards our Moon20... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the purpose of the partnership between NASA and MAXAR Technologies?

The partnership aims to accelerate the Artemis program's progress towards returning humans to the Moon and to advance science, technology, and human exploration.

Q: What is the role of the GATEWAY in NASA's lunar missions?

The GATEWAY will be a lunar orbiting station, serving as a hub for scientific research, technological advancements, and human travel to previously inaccessible areas of the Moon.

Q: What is the Power & Propulsion Element (PPE)?

The PPE is a foundational piece of the GATEWAY and will provide thrust, power, and communications for future lunar missions. It will be the framework upon which other modules are added.

Q: How will the partnership with MAXAR Technologies contribute to future exploration missions?

MAXAR Technologies will design, launch, and demonstrate the PPE, showcasing its capabilities to NASA. This partnership will drive down costs and advance technologies for future lunar and Mars missions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• NASA and MAXAR Technologies have formed a partnership to accelerate the Artemis program's goal of returning humans to the Moon by 2024.

• The GATEWAY, a lunar orbiting station, will be built in two phases and will serve as a hub for science, technology, and human travel to previously inaccessible areas.

• The initial element of the GATEWAY, the Power & Propulsion Element (PPE), will be launched and demonstrated by MAXAR Technologies, providing thrust, power, and communications for future lunar missions.