Europe is taking a significant leap towards returning humans to the Moon with the launch of LUNA, a cutting-edge lunar simulator developed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Cologne. French astronaut Thomas Pesquet, a celebrated figure in France for his missions to the International Space Station (ISS), recently tested the facility, emphasizing Europe's commitment to lunar exploration.
During his visit, 46-year-old Pesquet experienced firsthand the challenges of lunar simulation. \"It would be a dream and the high point of my career. The moon is 1,000 times farther away than the ISS,\" he shared. The LUNA facility is designed to train astronauts and test equipment, replicating the Moon's harsh environment to prepare for future missions.
International interest in lunar exploration has surged, with NASA's Artemis program aiming to land astronauts on the Moon by 2026, marking the first manned lunar mission since Apollo 17 in 1972. Meanwhile, China has made strides with its lunar probes and plans for a crewed mission by 2030, while Japan and India are also preparing missions to search for water near the Moon's south pole.
The European Space Agency (ESA) is positioning itself as a key partner in these endeavors. Pesquet highlighted ESA's collaboration with NASA on Artemis, noting that Europe's contribution includes providing the service module for NASA's Orion capsule. This partnership has secured three spots for ESA astronauts on Artemis's initial missions around the Moon.
LUNA represents a visible commitment from Europe to lunar exploration. Pesquet noted, \"LUNA isn't a contractual part of the deal, but it allows us to show we're serious.\" The facility is open to other space agencies, researchers, and private firms, fostering a collaborative environment for advancing lunar exploration.
Testing the LUNA simulator was both challenging and enlightening for Pesquet. He described the experience of moving in the simulator's lunar environment as \"a whole different kettle of fish,\" highlighting the unique difficulties of navigating the Moon's surface compared to Earth or the ISS.
As Europe invests in long-term lunar missions, facilities like LUNA will play a crucial role in training the next generation of astronauts and developing the technologies needed for sustainable lunar presence.
Reference(s):
Europe en route for moon with new simulator, says French astronaut
cgtn.com
