Thales Alenia Space Italy to Lead Design of First Long-Term Lunar Habitat for Artemis Missions

Multi-Purpose Habitation module © Thales Alenia Space_Briot

(IN BRIEF) Thales Alenia Space Italy has signed a contract with the Italian Space Agency (ASI) to lead the design of the Multi-Purpose Habitation (MPH) module, a core asset in NASA’s Artemis program aiming to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon. Slated for launch in 2033, the MPH will serve as the first permanent surface habitat, supporting astronauts in research and habitation while withstanding the Moon’s harsh environmental conditions. The project, developed in collaboration with Altec and other Italian industrial partners, represents a milestone in Italy’s leadership in space exploration and contributes to NASA’s Moon to Mars strategy. The initiative aligns with Italy’s recent legislative commitment to its space economy.

(PRESS RELEASE) ROME, 25-Jul-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Thales Alenia Space Italy has secured a contract from the Italian Space Agency (ASI) to lead the design and development of the Multi-Purpose Habitation (MPH) module, an essential component in NASA’s Artemis strategy for sustainable lunar exploration. As part of a broader bilateral cooperation between ASI and NASA, the MPH module will become the first dedicated habitat to support long-duration human presence on the Moon’s surface.

This new module will serve as both a shelter and mobile platform, providing astronauts with a secure and functional environment for living, conducting research, and testing future habitability solutions. The MPH is engineered to integrate seamlessly with other Artemis systems and lunar infrastructure, furthering Italy’s strategic contributions to the Moon to Mars exploration roadmap.

Set for launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in 2033, the MPH will play a central role in enabling long-term lunar habitation. The module is designed to remain operational for at least 10 years and to support both crewed and autonomous missions on the surface. Thales Alenia Space Italy will act as the prime contractor, supported by Altec—a joint venture with ASI—and other key Italian aerospace firms.

Built to endure the Moon’s unforgiving conditions, the MPH will incorporate critical enabling technologies to address extreme temperature shifts, lunar dust, radiation exposure, micrometeoroids, and low gravity. By drawing on decades of experience in orbital habitats and space transportation, Thales Alenia Space Italy will lead the design of a module that not only meets the needs of lunar missions but also helps lay the groundwork for future human missions to Mars.

Teodoro Valente, President of ASI, highlighted the project’s significance: “MPH is another major scientific and technological milestone for Italy, underlining our global leadership in space habitability. As part of the Artemis program and the long-standing cooperation between ASI and NASA, this initiative reflects a long-term national strategy and strong governmental support for the space economy, reinforced by the recent approval of Italy’s first Space Law.”

Giampiero Di Paolo, Deputy CEO and Executive Vice President for Observation, Exploration and Navigation at Thales Alenia Space, stated: “We are honored to be entrusted with this landmark project by ASI. The MPH contract elevates Italy’s role in the global space exploration landscape and reaffirms our commitment to pioneering the technologies that will make long-term lunar—and eventually Martian—habitation a reality.”

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.

Media Contact:
ITALY
Alessandra Danesi
+39 328 885 5069
alessandra.danesi@thalesgroup.com

SOURCE: Thales