Nammo UK has been selected to supply the main engine for the European Space Agency’s Argonaut lunar lander, a major element of the NASA-led Artemis programme that will return humans to the Moon in the early 2030s.
The announcement was made at ESA’s European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, where senior representatives from ESA, Nammo, Thales Alenia Space, OHB System AG and Thales Alenia Space UK took part in a formal signing ceremony.
The Buckinghamshire-based company will provide its new RELIANCE bi-propellant engine — a 6kN throttleable rocket engine now under development at its Westcott Venture Park facility. RELIANCE will power Europe’s first lunar lander, supporting the Artemis mission scheduled for 2031 and enabling the delivery of food, water, scientific instruments, communications infrastructure and power systems to the lunar surface.
Robert Selby, Vice President of Nammo Space, said the contract represents “a major step forward” for both the RELIANCE engine and European propulsion capability. “We’re honoured to be selected,” he said. “This is a testament to the remarkable team we have, and to the UK’s growing role in deep-space exploration.”
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