HERACLES (spacecraft)
Planned robotic lunar landing system by ESA and JAXA / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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HERACLES (Human-Enhanced Robotic Architecture and Capability for Lunar Exploration and Science) is a planned robotic transport system to and from the Moon by Europe (ESA), Japan (JAXA) and Canada (CSA) that will feature a lander called the European Large Logistic Lander (EL3, or Argonaut), a Lunar Ascent Element, and a rover.[2] The lander can be configured for different operations such as up to 1.5 tons of cargo delivery,[3] sample-returns, or prospecting resources found on the Moon.[4]
Designer | ESA / JAXA / CSA |
---|---|
Operator | ESA / JAXA / CSA |
Applications | Lunar exploration, sample-return |
Website | Argonaut – European Large Logistics Lander |
Specifications | |
Spacecraft type | Robotic lander, rover, sample-return |
Launch mass | ≈8,500 kg (18,700 lb)[1] |
Payload capacity | ≈1,500 kg (3,300 lb)[1] |
Capacity | |
Payload to {{{to}}} | |
Production | |
Status | In development |
The system is planned to support the Artemis program and perform lunar exploration using the Lunar Gateway space station as a staging point.
As of 2023, the HERACLES project has been superseded by the European Large Logistics Lander (EL3) project, and is no longer active.[5]