SPACE STRUCTURES GmbH from Germany, as prime contractor of an all-SME consortium, has been selected by Thales Alenia Space to develop, build and test the internal secondary structures for the International Habitation (I-HAB) Module of the international Lunar Gateway manned space station to orbit the Moon. The consortium includes four other SMEs: Romania-based HPS srl, and three other German companies, Spacetech GmbH, INVENT GmbH, and Astro- und Feinwerktechnik Adlershof GmbH.
The Lunar Gateway is a key element in the Artemis Program, a NASA-led international manned spaceflight program, currently scheduled to orbit the Moon starting in 2024. The Gateway will be used as an outpost for astronauts on their way to the Moon, and as a laboratory to carry out scientific research. The I-HAB is a pressurized module that will provide the crew’s living quarters, resources for pressurized and unpressurized scientific experiments; plus docking ports to supply vehicles in transit.
Thales Alenia Space is leading the race in the development of pressurized modules, providing half of the pressurized volume for the International Space Station and the first two pressurized modules for the AXIOM commercial space station. In addition to the development of the I-HAB module for the Lunar Gateway, Thales Alenia Space will design and manufacture the ESPRIT refueling and communications module and the HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost) module in partnership with Northrop Grumman.
“This is a major accomplishment for Space Structures,” says SPACE STRUCTURES GmbH CEO Dr.-Ing. Benjamin Braun. “It’s the largest contract in our company’s history and I’m very proud that our team competed successfully against many reputable companies. The I-HAB project is a great showcase for the space sector’s SME landscape, particularly in Germany. We’re demonstrating that SMEs can make significant contributions to even the highest profile missions.
We are grateful that SPACE STRUCTURES GmbH is being recognised by Thales Alenia Space and ESA as an attractive contractor to develop and deliver key structure hardware for human space exploration.”
About SPACE STRUCTURES GmbH:
Founded in 2011 by Florian Ruess and Benjamin Braun, SPS is a privately-owned independent engineering firm located in Berlin, Germany. Offering a range of products and engineering services, SPS specializes in the development, manufacturing, testing and supply of advanced metal and composite structures for space applications. SPS has worked on more than 400 projects with over 80 clients, ranging from enterprise- to early stage-level businesses.
Benjamin Braun, CEO SPS
Contact information:
SPACE STRUCTURES GmbH
Point of contact: Dr.-Ing. Benjamin Braun, CEO
E-Mail: info@spacestructures.de
Phone: +49 30 814549700
www.spacestructures.de