NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in the US hosted a media event on 16 November 2018 marking the arrival of the first European Service Module – the powerhouse that will supply NASA’s Orion spacecraft with electricity, propulsion, thermal control, air and water.

Learn about the European Service Module and its next steps on its journey to the Moon. Speakers on stage include Bill Hill, Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration Systems Development at NASA, Philippe Deloo, ESA Programme Manager for the European Service Module, Mark Kirasich, Flight Director and NASA Orion Program Manager, Sue Motil, NASA Manager for the Orion European Service Module Integration, and ESA’s Director General Jan Wörner.

For the first time, NASA will use a European-built system as a critical element to power an American spacecraft, extending the international cooperation of the International Space Station into deep space.

Made in Europe, the service module was integrated in Bremen, Germany, from where it shipped to the US on 5 November 2018 to be tested and prepared for launch. The module is built by main contractor Airbus, with components supplied by companies all over Europe.

Find out more about Orion and ESM: http://www.esa.int/orion

Photographer: NASA/Michelle Stone