Next milestone on the way to the Moon: Following its involvement in Artemis II, TÜV NORD GROUP, together with its subsidiary ALTER, will also contribute to the safety of the Artemis III lunar mission. NASA has now presented further details of the project. ALTER ensures through testing that components of the European Service Module (ESM) can withstand the extreme conditions of space, such as severe
Next milestone on the way to the Moon: Following its involvement in Artemis II, TÜV NORD GROUP, together with its subsidiary ALTER, will also contribute to the safety of the Artemis III lunar mission. NASA has now presented further details of the project. ALTER ensures through testing that components of the European Service Module (ESM) can withstand the extreme conditions of space, such as severe temperature fluctuations, vibrations during rocket launch and radiation.
“The continued central role of ALTER in the ESM highlights our expertise in delivering solutions for highly demanding technology projects,” says Stephen Duffy, CEO of the Digital & Semiconductor business unit at TÜV NORD GROUP. “We ensure that the highest quality and safety standards are maintained even under extreme conditions.”
The lunar flyby of Artemis II will be followed by the next major step: with Artemis III, NASA plans to test for the first time in Earth orbit in 2027 how the Orion spacecraft and commercial landing systems work together. Among other things, this will examine how effectively the spacecraft can dock with new lunar landing systems, which are essential for reaching the surface of the Moon. This is a key prerequisite for the return of astronauts to the Moon from 2028 onwards.
The Orion spacecraft consists of the US crew module and the ESM, which is provided by the European Space Agency (ESA). The ESM is essential for power supply, propulsion, and the provision of water and oxygen to the crew.
ALTER continues to procure and test electronic components for the onboard equipment of the ESM, building on its own contributions to the Artemis I and II missions. For the Artemis III to VI missions, ALTER is responsible for the procurement and qualification of safety-critical electronic components, including semiconductors and assemblies.
“In space, there are no second chances. That is precisely why we ensure that every component we test functions reliably under the most extreme conditions,” says Eva Diaz, Business Development Manager at ALTER.
NASA’s Artemis programme envisages an increasing cadence of missions, with the aim of enabling regular flights to the Moon. Alongside scientific research, the focus is on establishing a sustainable infrastructure in lunar orbit and on the surface – also as preparation for future missions to Mars.
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