Thales Awards Contract for Gateway Module Components
Redwire to Provide Four Docking Mechanisms for the Lunar I-Hab
A contract to provide four docking mechanisms for the European Space Agency’s habitation module for the lunar Gateway (the Lunar I-Hab) has been awarded to Redwire by Thales Alenia Space. Redwire’s wholly-owned Belgian subsidiary, Redwire Space NV, has been awarded the contract to deliver the International Berthing and Docking Mechanism (IBDM) for the Lunar I-Hab.
“We are honored to be selected by Thales Alenia Space to provide this critical capability for the Lunar I-Hab module.”
Mike Gold, Redwire
The contract includes one active IBDM that will couple Lunar I-Hab to the rest of the Gateway; and three passive systems, which will be used as a docking port for other modules or visiting vehicles. The IBDM will enable safe transfers of crew and cargo, supporting continuous operations and missions within the Gateway lunar space station. The system incorporates advanced automation, precision alignment, and multiple redundancies to safeguard both the station and the crew aboard.
“We are honored to be selected by Thales Alenia Space to provide this critical capability for the Lunar I-Hab module,” said Mike Gold, President of Civil and International Space at Redwire. “With decades of flight heritage, Redwire Europe is thrilled to play a vital role developing organic capability as the European market pivots toward increased independence in space and defense.”
The Lunar I-Hab, built under Thales Alenia Space’s prime contractorship, is ESA’s habitation module which will provide living quarters, laboratory space, and mission support infrastructure for astronauts conducting long-duration missions in deep space. The Gateway Space Station is an international lunar-orbiting outpost designed to support crewed missions to the Moon while developing key technologies and experience for a future human mission to Mars.