Thales Alenia has signed an agreement with the UAE’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre to create the Emirates Airlock Module.

Thales Alenia has signed an agreement with the UAE’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre to create the Emirates Airlock Module

Thales Alenia Space has made an agreement with the UAE’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) to design and build the Emirates Crew and Science Airlock Module. This module will be attached to the Lunar Gateway space station.

Emirates Airlock Module

The Airlock will let astronauts do spacewalks, move research to and from the lunar station, and act as an extra docking port for spacecraft, according to a statement released on Tuesday.

Thales Alenia Space is a partnership where French aerospace company Thales owns 67%, and Italian aerospace, defense, and security company Leonardo owns 33%.

This partnership will help the UAE become a stronger player in space exploration, grow its science community, and prepare future scientists and engineers for space programs.

The Emirates Airlock will be made for astronauts to do spacewalks (EVA), support Gateway operations, and provide a scientific airlock for moving experiments and equipment between the space station’s inside and outside.

The pressurized module will have space for storing and maintaining EVA suits, tools, and equipment. It will also have a science airlock to move experiments and Gateway hardware between the inside and the exterior of the Cislunar space station.

In 2025, Thales Alenia Space will finish reviewing the Mission Concept, System Requirements, and the initial design of the main structure.

Key Quotes

“This new contract highlights Thales Alenia Space’s leading role in space transportation, orbital structures, and deep space exploration,” said Thales Alenia Space CEO Hervé Derrey.

“Our goal is to work with the space community to help with lunar exploration and permanent presence on the moon’s surface. We keep investing in new technologies and encourage innovation,” said Giampiero Di Paolo, Deputy CEO and Senior VP, Observation, Exploration, and Navigation at Thales Alenia Space.

UAE’s Space Market

The UAE’s space market is growing. The satellite-based Earth observation market is expected to be worth about $1.1 billion in 2025 and $1.6 billion by 2030.

Published: 6th February 2025

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