'Robots, radiation, and a pit stop to Mars': NASA’s Gateway is no ordinary space station
Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Lunar hub
NASA’s Gateway station will orbit the Moon, acting as a launchpad for deep space missions and a science lab for Artemis astronauts.
Module milestone
The HALO habitat, built in Italy, is nearly complete and heading to the U.S. for final assembly before its lunar debut on Artemis IV.
Global effort
Partners from ESA, JAXA, CSA, and the UAE are contributing robotics, life support, and docking systems to shape the future of lunar exploration.
Space commute
ESA’s Lunar Link system will enable high-speed comms between Gateway and the Moon, crucial for coordinating surface missions.
Science ready
Three radiation experiments will launch aboard Gateway to study solar flares and cosmic rays’ effects on astronauts and spacecraft.
Power play
Maxar is assembling the Power and Propulsion Element—set to be the most powerful solar electric spacecraft ever built.
Crew support
Gateway will host astronauts during Artemis IV and beyond, with living quarters, workstations, and mission prep zones for Moonwalks.
Representative pic
Drill down
The I-Hab module from ESA will expand living space and is being tailored for human factors—tested by astronauts inside mockups.
Mars next
Gateway is more than a lunar outpost—it’s a stepping stone to Mars, where NASA will test how humans endure deep space for months.