1 min read<\/p>\n
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Gateway\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/jsc2024e055348.jpg?w=2048\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nGateway\u2019s Habitation and Logistics Outpost stands vertically inside a Thales Alenia Space facility in Turin, Italy, after completing static load testing. <\/div>\nThales Alenia Space<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nMajor Gateway<\/a> hardware recently crossed an important testing milestone on its path to launch to the Moon, where it will support new science and house astronauts in lunar orbit.<\/p>\nGateway\u2019s HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost)<\/a> successfully completed static load testing, \u00a0a rigorous stress test of how well the structure responds to the forces encountered in deep space. Thales Alenia Space, subcontractor to Northrop Grumman, conducted the testing in Turin, Italy. Static load testing is one of the major environmental stress tests HALO will undergo, and once all phases of testing are complete, the module will be ready to move from Italy to Gilbert, Arizona, where Northrop Grumman will complete final outfitting.<\/p>\nHALO is one of four pressurized Gateway modules where astronauts will live, conduct science, and prepare for missions to the lunar South Pole region. It will launch with Gateway\u2019s Power and Propulsion Element<\/a> on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket to lunar orbit.<\/p>\nGateway is humanity\u2019s first lunar space station supporting a new era of exploration and scientific discovery as part of NASA\u2019s Artemis campaign<\/a> that will establish a sustained presence on and around the Moon, paving the way for the first crewed mission to Mars.<\/p>\n
![\"Gateway\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/jsc2024e055348.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>Major Gateway<\/a> hardware recently crossed an important testing milestone on its path to launch to the Moon, where it will support new science and house astronauts in lunar orbit.<\/p>\n Gateway\u2019s HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost)<\/a> successfully completed static load testing, \u00a0a rigorous stress test of how well the structure responds to the forces encountered in deep space. Thales Alenia Space, subcontractor to Northrop Grumman, conducted the testing in Turin, Italy. Static load testing is one of the major environmental stress tests HALO will undergo, and once all phases of testing are complete, the module will be ready to move from Italy to Gilbert, Arizona, where Northrop Grumman will complete final outfitting.<\/p>\n HALO is one of four pressurized Gateway modules where astronauts will live, conduct science, and prepare for missions to the lunar South Pole region. It will launch with Gateway\u2019s Power and Propulsion Element<\/a> on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket to lunar orbit.<\/p>\n Gateway is humanity\u2019s first lunar space station supporting a new era of exploration and scientific discovery as part of NASA\u2019s Artemis campaign<\/a> that will establish a sustained presence on and around the Moon, paving the way for the first crewed mission to Mars.<\/p>\n