Lunar Gateway

Gateway is conceived as a small, human-tended outpost in lunar orbit and a platform for scientific work and exploration beyond low Earth orbit. Within the Artemis architecture, it is intended to support missions to the Moon, including by providing a place for crews to live and work, spacecraft to dock, and experiments to operate in a deep-space environment. It is not a permanent surface base; it would orbit the Moon and work alongside, rather than replace, spacecraft and surface systems.

The station is being developed as a set of connected modules. NASA describes the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) as providing electrical power, communications, attitude control and orbit-maintenance capabilities, while HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost) is planned as an initial pressurised living and operations module. The European Space Agency contributes Lunar I-Hab, a further habitation module, as well as Lunar View for logistics and refuelling functions and Lunar Link communications equipment. Japan's JAXA supplies key life-support and other systems for I-Hab and batteries; the Canadian Space Agency is providing Canadarm3 robotic systems; and the United Arab Emirates' Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre is to provide a crew and science airlock. Contributions and configurations are subject to programme development.

Gateway's planned near-rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO) is a long-period path around the Moon influenced by the gravitational fields of Earth and the Moon. NASA selected this type of orbit to combine comparatively convenient access to the lunar surface with lower station-keeping demands than some closer lunar orbits. NASA describes Gateway's orbit as taking about a week and periodically bringing the station near the Moon's south-polar region; it also maintains a continuous line of sight to Earth, supporting communications. These characteristics make it suitable for a station intended to support extended exploration, although crew transfers and surface missions still depend on other spacecraft and landers.

Gateway emerged as a multinational deep-space project within the Artemis effort. NASA's public overview identifies Canada, ESA, JAXA and the United Arab Emirates among contributing partners. Its modular architecture is intended to allow operations and later expansion, and NASA describes a minimum planned operational lifespan of 15 years in lunar orbit. The station's eventual capabilities, schedule and role are dependent on the progress and coordination of its modules, launch systems and crewed missions; therefore, planned functions should not be confused with achievements already completed in orbit.