Antonov Airlines, in collaboration with transport engineering specialist Fagioli, completed the transatlantic transportation of the habitation and logistics outpost (HALO) module – the first component of the future lunar space station Gateway.
The HALO module was transported aboard Antonov’s AN-124-100 aircraft from the Thales Alenia Space facility in Turin, Italy, to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona, USA. The module will now undergo testing at Northrop Grumman’s facility in Gilbert, Arizona, before being integrated with the power and propulsion element (PPE) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Weighing over 55 tonnes and measuring more than 4 m in height, Antonov Airlines utilised its low-profile loading ramp in combination with external cranes to ensure safe loading and unloading.
“Antonov Airlines is proud to contribute to this landmark international mission. With decades of experience and specialised equipment for oversized aerospace cargo, our team ensured safe and timely delivery,” said Maksym Bogatov, commercial executive at Antonov Airlines.
