Outer Space Research: Europe will provide service module for NASA Orion spacecraft

The European Service Module For Orion

Plans for Europe to provide a key component for NASA's 2017 test flight of a new spacecraft represent the start of the international collaboration needed to send humans on deep space destinations, officials said recently. “As we push humans out into the solar system, we’re doing it internationally, and this is that first step,” said Bill Gerstenmaier, head of NASA’s human spaceflight programs.

Under a deal signed last month, the European Space Agency will contribute the service module supporting an unmanned Orion capsule during its first launch from Kennedy Space Center atop the heavy-lift Space Launch System rocket.

The service module provides power, propulsion and life support for Orion, which is being designed to carry up to four astronauts on trips to the moon, an asteroid or Mars. Europe’s service module will be based on its ATV cargo resupply vehicle, which is scheduled to make a fourth flight to the International Space Station in April.

Europe’s contribution to the late 2017 mission will be worth about $200 million.

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