Habitation and Logistics Outpost

Background Several concepts for a habitation module for a lunar orbital outpost were developed under the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships 2 (NextSTEP-2) program. NASA determined that Northrop Grumman was the only NextSTEP-2 contractor with designs and production capability that met the module requirements within the required schedule. Construction On June 5, 2020, NASA awarded Northrop Grumman a $187 million contract to complete the preliminary design of ALO module. These tests were successfully completed in October 2024, clearing the module for final preparations. In early 2025, Airbus Defence and Space delivered the Power Management and Distribution Subsystem (PMAD), a key electrical component housed within HALO. Following delivery of the HALO module to the United States in April 2025 for final outfitting and integration, NASA reported the discovery of significant corrosion affecting both HALO and the International Habitation Module (I-HAB), which was also built by Thales Alenia Space. Northrop Grumman characterized the corrosion as a "manufacturing irregularity" that could be repaired, while Thales Alenia Space described it as a "well-known metallurgical behavior". The company noted that similar conditions had been encountered in modules developed for the International Space Station, which have continued to operate reliably and exceeded their original design lifespans. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman indicated that addressing the issue may not be straightforward, stating that he was "not sure there is a deterministic approach to repair", and suggesting that remediation efforts would delay the module's readiness beyond 2030. He also questioned whether repair efforts were "even warranted", in light of NASA's shifting focus to developing a lunar surface base. == Design ==

The HALO will form an initial scaled-down habitation module. Its primary purpose will be to fulfill the life-support requirements of visiting crew on Orion spacecraft and a space to allow preparations for lunar landing departure. It will feature a functional pressurized volume providing sufficient command, control and data handling capabilities, energy storage and power distribution, thermal control, communications and tracking capabilities, two axial and up to two radial docking ports, stowage volume, environmental control and life-support systems to augment the Orion spacecraft and support a crew of four for at least 30 days. The Canadian Space Agency will be providing interfaces and base point for use by Canadarm 3. == Science ==

HALO will host three scientific packages at launch aimed at improving the understanding of space weather and prediction models. The NASA-built Heliophysics Environmental and Radiation Measurement Experiment Suite, the ESA-built European Radiation Sensors Array (ERSA), and the ESA-built Internal Dosimetry Array (IDA). The suite will consist of four instruments. Fluxgate and Magneto-Inductive Magnetometers will measure Magnetic Field Vector. Built and supplied by Goddard Space Flight Center. Principal investigators from University of Michigan and Goddard Space Flight Center. European Radiation Sensors Array (ERSA) The ESA built European Radiation Sensors Array (ERSA) will measure the effect and impact of the solar wind on astronauts and equipment. The suite will include the Influence sur les Composants Avancés des Radiations de l'Espace (ICARE-NG) to measure ionizing radiation; and the European Active Dosimeter to measure radiation energies. == See also ==