Thales Alenia Space (TAS) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) have officially signed a landmark agreement to develop the first-ever human outpost on the Moon, marking a pivotal advancement in NASA’s Artemis program.

The contract solidifies Italy’s role in the international lunar exploration initiative, which envisions the Moon as a crucial training ground for future missions to Mars. The project forms part of a broader global effort involving numerous nations and private sector leaders—including SpaceX, led by Elon Musk.

As part of the Artemis program, the lunar outpost will serve as a habitable module supporting astronauts on the Moon’s surface. This collaboration positions Italy at the heart of an expanding space race, aimed at long-term human presence in space.

The Artemis initiative represents the most ambitious space exploration effort since the Apollo era, and the contribution from Thales Alenia Space reinforces Europe’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of human spaceflight.