Thales Alenia Space in Italy will be leading the European consortium to build the lunar descent module; the rest of the core team includes Thales Alenia Space in the United Kingdom and France, and OHB.

The team will deliver the Argonaut Lunar Descent Element in 2030 for the first operational mission, ArgoNET, expected in 2031.

By the end of 2026, the industrial consortium in charge of using the first Lunar Descent Element will be selected.

"The Argonaut contract signature is a pivotal moment for Europe’s lunar exploration ambitions," says Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA Director for Human and Robotic Exploration.