ARTEMIS MISSION: ASI AND NASA SIGN AGREEMENT

The Italian Space Agency (ASI) will collaborate with NASA to conduct a preliminary design study of the Lunar Surface Multi-Purpose Habitation Module(s) proposed by ASI for the Artemis program. The agreement was signed by ASI President Saccoccia and NASA Administrator Nelson.

The Italian Space Agency and NASA signed a bilateral cooperation agreement today. The objective is to conduct a preliminary study to design and develop the habitation capabilities of future lunar modules, the Lunar Surface Multi-Purpose Habitation (MPH) Module(s) proposed by ASI for the Artemis program.

The agreement was signed by ASI President Giorgio Saccoccia and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on the sidelines of the 17th session of the Interministerial Committee for Space and Aerospace Research Policies (COMINT), chaired by Vittorio Colao, Minister for Technological Innovation and Digital Transition with responsibility for space and aerospace policies, and attended by Luigi Di Maio, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

ASI will conduct the study with the support of Italian industry to develop a design compliant with the objectives of the Artemis mission and NASA’s requirements. NASA will support the Agency by providing updated technical and programmatic information on the program.

The Artemis program will lay the foundation for a long-term presence on the lunar surface and will use our satellite to validate deep-space habitation systems, essential for future missions to Mars. As part of the Artemis program, NASA will conduct a mission to land the first woman and next man on the lunar surface, using the Space Launch System (SLS) launcher, which will carry astronauts aboard the Orion capsule.