'NASA’s secret weapon': The HALO module

NASA's HALO module (Habitation and Logistics Outpost) is set to revolutionize lunar exploration as a key component of the Gateway space station.

Key Features of HALO • Astronaut Habitat: 

HALO will provide life support, command systems, and research space, allowing astronauts to live and work around the Moon.

• Final Testing & Assembly: The module, built by Thales Alenia Space in Italy, arrived in the U.S. on April 1, 2025, for final outfitting and testing at Northrop Grumman’s facility in Arizona.

About the Gateway space station The Gateway space station is a planned lunar orbiting outpost that will support NASA’s Artemis missions and future deep-space exploration.

Key Features of Gateway • Lunar Orbit: Gateway will be positioned in a near-rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO) around the Moon, allowing continuous communication with Earth.