Nasa finalises deal for design of lunar Gateway crew cabin

Northrop Grumman subsidiary awarded $187m contract for habitation and logistics outpost

Nasa has finalised the contract for the design of the Gateway lunar space station's crew cabin. Astronauts will dock at this outpost upon arriving in lunar orbit, before embarking on their descent to the surface of the moon.

The $187m (147m) contract will allow Orbital Science Corporation in Dulles, Virginia, a wholly owned subsidiary of Northrop Grumman, to design the crew compartment. Known as the habitation and logistics outpost (Halo), progress will be reviewed at the end of this year and a second contract is then expected to cover its fabrication and its integration with the Gateway's power and propulsion unit, currently being made by Maxar Technologies.