Gateway manufacturer finally acknowledges issue, fails to mention “corrosion”

In a significant development regarding the Lunar Gateway project, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman revealed during a congressional hearing that corrosion has been detected in the habitation modules designed for the lunar outpost. Initial reactions from industry experts questioned the credibility of Isaacman's statements, suggesting he may have been misinformed. However, Northrop Grumman, the main contractor for the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO), later confirmed that a manufacturing irregularity had indeed occurred. Adding to the concerns, the European Space Agency (ESA), which is responsible for the I-HAB module, also acknowledged the presence of corrosion in their structure. The pressure vessel components for both modules were produced by Thales Alenia Space, a French-Italian firm. On the same day, Axiom Space, which has ordered its own pressurized structure from Thales for a private space station, reported experiencing similar corrosion-related issues with its Module 1. Thales had remained silent on these matters until Monday, approximately five days after Isaacman's testimony. In their statement, Thales indicated that they are collaborating closely with Northrop Grumman to ensure that the HALO module meets all mission specifications, utilizing NASA-approved methods. They noted that a recognized metallurgical issue was identified on the module's surface, which they expect to resolve by the end of the third quarter of 2026. Regarding the I-HAB module, which is still in their facilities, Thales stated they are working with ESA to address the same problem promptly. The company emphasized its extensive experience in managing similar challenges in the demanding environment of space exploration, referencing past occurrences during the manufacturing of components for the International Space Station (ISS). They highlighted that nearly half of the ISS’s pressurized modules, constructed by Thales, continue to operate effectively after 25 years, showcasing their capability to handle the current situation with expertise and technical oversight. Thales concluded that any further comments would be premature, directing inquiries to Northrop Grumman for HALO and ESA for I-HAB details. It seems the term "well-known metallurgical behavior" is likely a reference to corrosion issues.