Thales Alenia Space to Lead Design of Italy’s First Lunar Habitat for Artemis

Insider Brief:

• Thales Alenia Space signed a contract with the Italian Space Agency to lead the preliminary design and development of technologies for the Multi-Purpose Habitation (MPH) module, set to become the first dedicated human habitat on the Moon under the NASA-ASI Artemis partnership.

• Scheduled to launch in 2033, the MPH will serve as a mobile, long-duration lunar shelter supporting astronaut missions, scientific research, and sustainable surface operations over a planned 10-year lifespan.

• Italy becomes central to the Moon-to-Mars strategy through this initiative, with Thales Alenia Space leading a national consortium to tackle extreme lunar conditions and develop technologies for future interplanetary missions.

• Space Insider tracks partnerships in real time and delivers trend-driven insights to help decision-makers invest, partner, and innovate in the space industry. See how our data can work for you.

PRESS RELEASE — Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has signed a contract with the Italian Space Agency (ASI) to perform the preliminary design phase, including development of critical enabling technologies, of the pressurized Multi-Purpose Habitation (MPH) module for the lunar surface.

Planned for launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in 2033, the MPH module will be the first ever dedicated habitation asset on the lunar surface as part of the Artemis Accords between NASA and ASI for bilateral Moon cooperation. The MPH module will safely host astronauts during their missions, support surface operations, enable scientific research experiments both with and without the presence of a human crew; and have the capability to move on the surface.

Designed for a minimum operational lifespan of 10 years, the MPH will serve as a permanent surface habitat, capable of operating synergistically with other elements of the Artemis architecture.

Part rover, part lunar shelter

Over the course of the two-year contract, Thales Alenia Space Italy will act as overall prime contractor, working alongside Altec (a public-private company owned by Thales Alenia Space and ASI) and other Italian industrial entities, for the MPH preliminary design phase. The initial development will focus on enabling technologies aimed at facing the harsh environmental conditions on the lunar surface, including extreme thermal variations, pervasive lunar dust, high radiation levels, micrometeoroid impacts, and the effects of reduced lunar gravity. In collaboration with the Industrial consortium members and space agencies, the company will lead the development of the MPH module to advance scientific discovery on the Moon, enable sustainable lunar exploration and drive the knowledge and technologies needed to support human missions to Mars.

Teodoro Valente, President of the Italian Space Agency, emphasized: “MPH represents yet another scientific challenge for Italy and ASI, which are planning to bring a comfortable and safe human settlement to the lunar surface, thanks to the expertise and high, competitive technological standards that Thales Alenia Space Italy has acquired internationally in the field of space habitability. The future lunar module, the result of the historic relationship between NASA and ASI, is part of a long-term investment vision that Italy has implemented, enabling us to play an increasingly leading role in the new space race and, moreover, to be a fundamental part of the Moon to Mars Strategy of NASA’s Artemis program. Today’s signature confirms the Italian Government’s significant and ongoing commitment to supporting the development of the Space Economy and supporting Italy’s globally recognized excellence. Furthermore, it is important that this act comes just days after Parliament’s approval of the country’s first “Space Law”.

“We are deeply honored that ASI has entrusted Thales Alenia Space with this contract to develop the MPH, giving us, as a leading European company, the opportunity to drive scientific and technological progress in building the first Italian human outpost on the lunar surface. This milestone will further strengthen and advance human space exploration on the Moon and beyond,” said Giampiero Di Paolo, Deputy CEO and Executive Vice President, Observation, Exploration and Navigation at Thales Alenia Space.

About THALES ALENIA SPACE

Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental monitoring, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources, and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of solutions including services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of €2.23 billion in 2024 and has more than 8,100 employees in 7 countries with 15 sites in Europe.

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