Nasa Orion spacecraft with the first European Service Module (ESM-1) integrated at Nasa. Credit: NASA-Radislav-Sinyak.|GKN Aerospace to develop sustainable aerospace technologies via three collaborative programmes. Credit: © GKN Aerospace Services Limited.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has contracted aerospace company Airbus to build three additional European Service Modules (ESM).

ESM, which is approximately 4m in diameter and height, is the powerhouse of the new Orion American crewed spacecraft. Orion spacecraft is designed for Nasa’s Artemis programme.

It will supply the spacecraft with electricity, propulsion, water, oxygen and additional functions that are required for astronauts’ survival.

The ESM will also help in orbital manoeuvring and position control.

Airbus space exploration head Andreas Hammer said: “Europe has entered a new decade of exploration. Building six Orion European Service Modules is a venture like no other. Airbus has some of the world’s best minds in space exploration working on this phenomenal vehicle and this new agreement will facilitate many future moon missions through international partnerships.

“Europe is a strong and reliable partner in Nasa’s Artemis missions and the Orion European Service Module represents a crucial contribution to this.”

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The ESM is equipped with four solar arrays that span 19m across when unfurled. The 8.6t of fuel can power one main engine and 32 smaller thrusters.

It weighs a total of 13t.

First non-crewed Orion test flight with an ESM is scheduled to fly in 2021.

Last month, Airbus and the ESA signed a contract booking, two independent payload missions for the Bartolomeo platform on the International Space Station (ISS).