Well, this is embarrassing: The Lunar Gateway’s primary modules are corroded

For over ten years, NASA has been championing the concept of the Lunar Gateway, an ambitious space station envisioned to orbit the Moon. This facility was intended to serve as a hub for lunar exploration and a testing ground for technologies crucial for future deep-space missions. However, like many significant space endeavors, it has encountered numerous delays. Initially, the launch of the Gateway's first component was scheduled for 2022. However, plans shifted, and it was decided that the power and propulsion module would now launch alongside a habitation unit known as the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) in 2024. This core structure was expected to be complemented by an additional pressurized module from international partners, I-HAB, in 2026. As time has passed, these timelines have slipped further. In March, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced that the Gateway project was being temporarily halted to allow the agency to prioritize missions directly to the lunar surface. This decision is understandable, given the significant financial investments involved and the competitive landscape, particularly with the prospect of Chinese astronauts exploring the Moon. Recently, during a hearing with the US House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Isaacman was questioned about the agency's budget and the future of the Gateway. Representative Suhas Subramanyam from Virginia, whose district hosts Northrop Grumman— the main contractor for the HALO module—expressed concerns about the cancellation of the order for the HALO. He inquired about the fate of the considerable investment that had already been made. In light of the Gateway's uncertain future, Northrop Grumman has been advocating for NASA to repurpose the HALO module for lunar surface operations as part of a potential Moon base initiative.