NASA Lunar Gateway PPE & HALO

NASA Lunar Gateway PPE & HALO

Falcon Heavy DEC TBD 2025

The Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) and Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) are the foundational elements of NASAs lunar-orbiting space station Gateway. The PPE is a 60-kilowatt class solar electric propulsion spacecraft that also will provide power, high-speed communications, attitude control and the capability to move the Gateway to different lunar orbits.

Last updated: May 10, 2024

Launch Information

Launch Information

Launch Vehicle Details

Mission NameNASA Lunar Gateway PPE & HALO
Launch SiteLC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, United States
Launch VehicleFalcon Heavy
AgencySpaceX
Launch DateDEC TBD 2025

The cornerstones of NASA's lunar-orbiting space station "Gateway" are the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) and the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO). The PPE spacecraft, which has a 60-kilowatt solar electric propulsion class, will be able to propel the Gateway to various lunar orbits and supply power, high-speed communications, and attitude control. The cramped living area known as HALO is where astronauts who visit the Gateway—often en route to the Moon—will work under pressure. It will act as the outpost's docking center and provide command and control. In addition to providing power distribution, HALO will enable science investigations, enhance the life support systems on board NASA's Orion spacecraft—which is responsible for transporting the Artemis crew to the Gateway—and facilitate communications for visiting vehicles and lunar surface expeditions.

Launch Vehicle - Falcon Heavy

Height70 m (230 ft)
Diameter3.66 m (12.0 ft)
Width12.2 m (40 ft)
Mass1420 t (3130000 lb)
Stages2.5
Payload To LEO63800 Kg / 140660 lb
Payload To GTO26700 Kg / 58860 lb
Payload To MTO16800 Kg / 37040 lb
Payload To Pluto3.5 t (7700 lb)
No Of Boosters2
Burn Time397 sec
PropellantSubcooled LOX / Chilled RP-1
Engine1
Thrust845 kN / 190000 lbf