Thales Confirms Manufacturing Issue in Lunar Gateway Modules Involving Corrosion

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 16:41:00 +0200

NASA recently revealed that the two habitation modules built for the Lunar Gateway have suffered from corrosion, a problem that had been kept under wraps until the disclosure by Administrator Jared Isaacman. Initially met with skepticism by industry observers, the issue was later confirmed by the primary contractor, Northrop Grumman, as a manufacturing irregularity. The European Space Agency, responsible for the I-HAB module, acknowledged the presence of corrosion as well. Both modules’ pressure vessels were manufactured by Thales Alenia Space, which delayed commenting on the issue for several days. Thales described the problem as a 'well-known metallurgical behavior,' likely a euphemism for corrosion, and stated that fixes are planned for completion by the third quarter of 2026. The corrosion issues, along with other delays, have contributed to the decision to halt Lunar Gateway development and refocus efforts on lunar surface missions. Northrop and Thales are exploring the possibilit