First Hybrid Cargo Ship Delivers Key NASA Component for Artemis III Mission

The world’s first commercial hybrid-powered cargo ship, MV roofing, recently made its inaugural visit to the Port of Canaveral in the United States. During this visit, the ship delivered a crucial component for NASA’s upcoming Artemis III mission to the Moon. The European Service Module (ESM-3) was transported by this specially designed RoRo ship, which will play a significant role in the first manned lunar mission since the Apollo era.

Port Canaveral’s CEO, Captain John Murray, expressed delight in hosting MV roofing and supporting NASA and its partners as they prepare for the historic return to the Moon. The French-flagged ship, set to launch in 2022, represents a major advancement in maritime technology. Developed by ArianeGroup, the 400-foot-long vessel uses a combination of wind and fuel for propulsion, featuring four innovative wing sails that can rotate 360 degrees to optimize wind utilization. This hybrid design is expected to result in up to 30% fuel savings per trip.

Ambassador Services International (ASI) oversaw the intricate unloading of the ESM-3 module and its transfer onto a flatbed truck for transportation to the nearby Kennedy Space Center. This successful delivery marks a crucial milestone in NASA’s Artemis program, bringing humanity one step closer to returning to the lunar surface.

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