Airbus wins ESA contract for three more Service Modules for Orion The European Space Agency (ESA) has chosen Airbus for the construction of three more European Service Modules (ESM) for Nasa’s Orion spacecraft (pictured), which is part the Artemis programme. The latest contract is worth €650 million and the ESM will join three other modules that are already under contract with Airbus. The European Service Module will provide functions such as the propulsion system to get the astronauts to the Moon and orbital manoeuvring and position control. It also provides the crew with water and oxygen, and regulates thermal control while attached to the crew module.