ESA reveals its intention to build a lunar base on Earth using simulated lunar ground in a facility in Germany

The researchers plan to recreate the conditions of the lunar surface at home.

A new facility under construction at the ESA Astronaut Center in Cologne, Germany, will soon serve as a three-part lunar analogue environment on Earth, the agency said this month.

Scientists will simulate lunar soil and lunar habitat, propelled by systems that may someday serve as a support for a true moonbase.

The new facility will be named Luna and will occupy 1,000 square meters at the Astronaut Center.

This will pave the way for future explorations on the surface of the moon, which many agencies around the world are now using to achieve.

"The Moon is a major focus for ESA and the next step for human exploration," said Andreas Diekmann, ESA Project Manager for Strategic Planning and Future Development.

"Developed in partnership with DLR, Luna will help us strengthen our expertise, prepare for Moon missions and provide a research platform for researchers across Europe to test technology and procedures. . "

Researchers are creating a lunar dust substitute from volcanic powder produced by eruptions in the volcanic region of nearby Eifel, 45 million years ago.

The lunar habitat called FlexHab (future lunar exploration habitat) is expected to be operational by the end of this year.

Once completed, astronauts will live and work in a container-sized space.

The space agency is currently viewing solar energy as the most sustainable way to power moon operations.

"During the lunar day, the Sun's energy will be used directly through photovoltaic panels, but it will also be used to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen," ESA said.

"These two elements will then be stored separately before being recombined into a fuel cell for use during lunar nights, which will last two weeks."

NASA has recently stepped up its efforts to bring astronauts back to the moon, decades after the final landing of the historic Apollo missions.

The space agency is currently planning to bring humans to the lunar surface by 2023 and set up an orbiting outpost by 2023.

These objectives are based on recent advances in commercial space operations and on the future Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System rocket.

"This will be the first opportunity for the majority of people alive today to witness a moon landing – a moment when, marveling and marveling, the world holds its breath," NASA told reporters. beginning of the year.