The Argonaut will be built and tested in Belfast before embarking on its maiden voyage to deliver cargo, infrastructure, and scientific instruments to the Moon.
A spacecraft built in Belfast will be sent to the moon in its pilot mission into space.
A contract signed by Thales Alenia Space states that the ‘Argonaut’ will be built, tested and assembled in the Northern Irish capital.
From seafaring voyages to space travel, the city’s shipbuilding industry is taking on new life – in the form of spaceships.
An 800 million euro contract – great news for Belfast
The spacecraft will be built in Belfast. It will then be sent to the moon carrying various cargo, infrastructure, and scientific instruments.
Thales Alenia Space is a global space manufacturer with a facility in Northern Ireland. They recently signed a €862 million contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop the Argonaut Lunar Lander.
The Argonaut is set to launch on its maiden voyage in the 2030s. It is expected to deliver dedicated navigation, telecommunication payloads, and energy generation and storage systems.
A testament to NI’s space sector – a thriving new industry
Robert Hill is cluster manager of NI Space, an organisation that aims to promote and support regional capabilities in the national and international space sector.
He spoke to Belfast Live on the plans for the spacecraft built in Belfast to be sent to the moon. He said, “This news is testament to the quality and credibility of Northern Ireland’s space sector.
“It has steadily expanded through collaboration between industry, academia, and the public sector. The most exciting part is—we’re going to the moon!”
He continued, “We will also see the region’s first ESA astronaut taking flight into space after Rosemary Coogan completed her training last year.
“That’s a major achievement and something that would have seemed impossible just five years ago.”
