The European Space Agency (ESA) has completed the service module for NASA's Orion spaceship, which is set to embark on the Artemis 4 mission to the moon. This mission was nearly cancelled due to the Trump administration's plans to discontinue the Orion and its rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS), after the Artemis 3 mission in 2027. Trump's proposed $18.8 billion NASA budget for 2026 included sweeping cuts and changes, with the lunar exploration program among those selected for funding reduction. However, a last-minute addition to the 'Big, Beautiful Bill' led by Texas Senator Ted Cruz secured funding for the Lunar Gateway and further Orion and SLS flights beyond Artemis 3. ESA's contribution to the Artemis 4 mission was a significant part of this agreement, with the agency paying 650 million euros to produce the service module. This module, an expendable part of the Orion spaceship, provides propulsion, electricity, and atmosphere regeneration during the trip to the moon and back. ESA's involvement in the project is part of a barter agreement with NASA, where the American agency provides seats on launch vehicles for European astronauts to the International Space Station. ESA has previously delivered three Orion service modules, with the first successfully powering the Artemis 1 uncrewed test mission in December 2022. The Artemis 4 mission, scheduled for 2028, will include a lunar landing and the delivery of the Lunar I-Hab, a habitation module for the Gateway station, into the moon's orbit. This mission highlights ESA's ability to contribute to major international partnerships and its commitment to space exploration.
