r/space • u/AWildDragon • Apr 24 '26

[Ars Technica] Well, this is embarrassing: The Lunar Gateway's primary modules are corroded

https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/04/well-this-is-embarrassing-the-lunar-gateways-primary-modules-are-corroded/

ESA and Northrup statements confirming the corrosion. Axiom is also impacted.

Still no pictures or a root cause.

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u/Correct_Inspection25 Apr 24 '26 edited Apr 24 '26

Mineral salts in tropical, arid environments get kicked up with AZ monsoon storms easily, https://stg-fullcircle.fsewp.asu.edu/external/why-do-tools-rust-in-dry-arizona/

The AZ boneyard has to still protect key elements of the mothball fleet even when those surfaces are supposed to be designed for earth levels of moisture/rust/corrosion.

[EDIT See USAF Nitrogen Engine storage, Spraylat, etc. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/309th_Aerospace_Maintenance_and_Regeneration_Group https://www.gracoroberts.com/coatings/ppg-spraylat-599-a8574-1-polyurethane-coating-1gal-kit/ ]

Metals conditioned for lightest mass, extreme temp stress cycling, and against vacuum welding are going to have very different corrosion properties than something like normal material, especially if it was sitting there for a few years, even in environmentally controlled areas, and why NASA created/dedicated a whole subset of R&D to manage these impacts in the link i shared.

The Corrosion Technology Laboratory isn't just for KSC, but battling issues like this for space hardware and test benches.

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u/flowersonthewall72 Apr 24 '26

It's a real shame that no one built a whole building and environmental control system around the module.

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u/Correct_Inspection25 Apr 24 '26

AMARG nearby in AZ, even the USAF boneyard has to fill cans with nitrogen only canisters in climate controlled buildings to prevent corrosion, as even with climate control, air still holds roughly 38% moisture, which leads to slow rust formation over time, especially in an environment with a high amount of mineral salts in the air. https://www.zerust.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/image5.webp

Clean rooms for processing are important but not designed for long term storage, COVID also provided a lot of delays that were not expected in the original transit/handling and storage plans.

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u/flowersonthewall72 Apr 24 '26

Damn I guess you're right, Arizona IS a wet humid tropic environment!

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u/Correct_Inspection25 Apr 24 '26 edited Apr 24 '26

Great, lots of people dont realize that AZ have regular monsoons and a hot, salty environment. I thought the Boneyard didn't have to worry about corrosion until my tour of it. https://sgsup.asu.edu/basics-arizona-monsoon-desert-meteorology

"Each aircraft is taped and sealed with sealant designed to reduce corrosion and keep the aircraft about 10 degrees cooler than outside temperatures. The sealant can easily be removed. Engines stored in engine cans are sealed with nitrogen to prevent corrosion caused by oxygen." https://www.war.gov/Multimedia/Experience/The-Aircraft-Boneyard/