ESA and Northrop Grumman Confirm Corrosion of Lunar Gateway Modules, Awaiting Response from Thales Alenia Space

In recent days, during a hearing in the U.S. Congress, Jared Isaacman (NASA administrator) stated that the HALO (Habitation And Logistics Outpost) and I-HAB (International Habitation Module) modules of the Lunar Gateway are reported to be corroded. This statement follows earlier rumors that hinted at the news and prompted NASA to choose a permanent lunar base solution for the Artemis program. More confirmations about the issue are now arriving, although the details remain unclear.

As we know, the Lunar Gateway is currently a canceled project, although some components may be reused. The PPE (Power and Propulsion Element) module will be integrated into the nuclear-powered spacecraft Space Reactor-1 Freedom, while the modules that have shown corrosion might be reused to build the permanent lunar base, after necessary repairs.

The Lunar Gateway and the Corrosion Issue

After the rumors in March and declarations in April, first confirmations are coming from other sources. A spokesperson from the ESA stated that "following the identification of corrosion on HALO, a thorough investigation was promptly initiated. Preliminary results indicate that the problem likely stems from a combination of factors, including aspects of the forging process, surface treatment, and material properties. A specialized team dedicated to I-HAB has been established under the ESA's guidance to address this issue. Based on the investigation and available data, the corrosion problem was understood to be technically manageable and did not constitute a setback for I-HAB, which was, in any case, in better condition than HALO in terms of corrosion."

According to the ESA spokesperson, delays of the Lunar Gateway were not only linked to these issues, as other components (life support system and thermal control pump) also failed to meet timelines.

In an article by ArsTechnica, it was reported how Northrop Grumman further confirmed the problems by issuing a statement indicating that "by using processes approved by NASA, Northrop Grumman is completing repairs on HALO after a production irregularity. We expect to complete the repairs by the end of the third quarter. HALO can still be reused for any mission, and it is the most mature technology to support deep space or lunar habitat."

Thales Alenia Space has produced several modules and has extensive experience in building advanced space components (including for the International Space Station). The Lunar Gateway is, therefore, only the latest part of an ongoing process grounded in a solid experience. For this reason, what has occurred needs clarification, especially considering future missions (both crewed and uncrewed).

It should also be noted that Axiom Space has reported that one of the modules of the Axiom Station (one of the upcoming U.S. commercial space stations) produced by Thales Alenia Space encountered similar issues. In the ArsTechnica article, a spokesperson for the company stated that "Axiom Space has experienced a similar phenomenon with the first module; we are leveraging the experience of NASA and Thales Alenia Space to address the issue. Module 1 is on track for launch in 2028."

In the coming week, there should be an additional statement from Thales Alenia Space that may shed light on the reported issues. Isaacman's statements would thus be truthful, but there might have also been a "push" toward the permanent lunar base that aligns with countering China and its space program (which is proposing a similar solution, called ILRS).