The Orion spacecraft with European Service Module will fly farther from Earth than any human-rated vehicle has ever flown before for the Artemis programme. This video gives a 360° artist’s impression of the spacecraft that is destined to bring the first woman and man to land on the Moon after over 50 years.
The European Service Module is ESA’s contribution to NASA’s Orion spacecraft that will send astronauts to the Moon and beyond. It provides electricity, water, oxygen and nitrogen as well as keeping the spacecraft at the right temperature and on course.
The European Service Module has four solar wings, 33 thrusters, 11 km of electrical wiring, four propellant and two pressure tanks that all work together to supply propulsion and everything needed to keep astronauts alive far from Earth – there is no room for error.