ESA and the Argonauts The European Space Agency (ESA) has inked a deal worth €862 million with Thales Alenia Space to develop a lunar lander.… The lander, called Argonaut, is designed to carry cargo to the lunar surface and will consist of three parts: the Lunar Descent Element (LDE),

Thales Alenia Space has won an 862 million euro ($897 million) order from the European Space Agency (ESA) to deliver a lunar lander for moon exploration launches to begin in the 2030s, the firm said on Thursday.

(Reuters) - Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales and Leonardo, on Thursday announced a 862 million euro ($896.9 million) order from the European Space Agency for the development of the Argonaut lunar lander. The lander, designed for cargo delivery to the moon, is planned to be launched in the 2030s, the group said in a press release.

Thales Alenia Space signed a contract valued at 862 million euros ($898.4 million) with the European Space Agency to develop a lander to ship cargo to the Moon. The aerospace company--a joint venture between French group Thales and Italy's Leonardo--said Thursday that as part of the deal it would build the Lunar Descent Element for ESA's Argonaut Mission.