The
module
designed by Italy could arrive on the lunar surface
between 2026 and 2027
.
This was said today in Rome by the president of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), Giorgio Saccoccia, on the sidelines of the meeting at the United States embassy with the chief administrator of NASA, Bill Nelson, and his deputy, Pamela Melroy.
Following the bilateral agreement signed with NASA, which
entrusts ASI with
the
design
of the housing module and intended for research on the Lunar surface, the first of the
Lunar Surface Multi-Purpose Habitation (MPH)
.
Saccoccia notes that it will be a
fundamental first step
", which will anticipate the entire architecture planned for the
Artemis
program .
" This is a truly important moment for spatial relations between Italy and the United States, "said Saccoccia." Italy is one of the countries traditionally engaged in collaboration with NASA for the realization of the logistic modules for the International Space Station and then, with the European Space Agency we are also involved in
Gateway
", he added referring to the future space station in the lunar orbit.
" Now the United States recognizes a
role in us
leadership
also in this sector ", observed the president of ASI referring to the bilateral agreement with NASA. The agreement provides that ASI will study it with the support of the Italian industry in order to develop a project that complies with the objectives of the mission Artemis and the requirements provided by NASA. The latter will undertake to support the Agency by providing updated technical and programmatic information on the program.
"NASA is engaged in the design of the architecture relating to the lunar soil with all the partners of the Artemis mission and the module designed by Italy - he noted - will be able to anticipate this architecture ".