Have you ever thought about what it might be like to walk on the Moon? Now, thanks to the new facility built near the astronaut training center ofESA in Cologne, this dream is closer to reality, even on Earth. Moon it is a true reproduction of the lunar environment, created by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the German space agency DLR, and represents an important milestone in the path ofspace exploration.
What is the Luna structure?
Inaugurated on September 25th, it is a gigantic space of 700 square meters where the surface conditions were recreated. Soil is made up of 900 tons of granules and volcanic rocksmachined to simulate lunar regolith, with small craters, sharp rocks and large boulders. But that’s not all: a solar simulator reproduces the alternation of day and night, while astronauts train to drill and collect soil samples, even frozen ones.
This facility is not just reserved for European astronauts, in fact it will be available to space agencies, universities and industries around the world. It will be a place to test new technologies for lunar exploration, and prepare for future space missions, such as those of the program Artemis of NASA, which foresees the return of man to our satellite.
A step forward for exploration
The main objective is to realistically replicate the conditions of our satellite, facilitating the testing of technologies and the training of astronauts. As he stated Josef AschbacherDirector General of ESA: “This unique facility represents a significant step forward in Europe’s space exploration efforts.” The ability to connect in real time control rooms with centers in Europe and around the world, up to Lunar Gatewaythe future orbiting space station, will allow real-time simulations of missions.
Innovation under one roof
Second Anke Kaysser-Pyzallapresident of the DLR, the facility will not be limited to training astronauts, but will contribute to research into advanced technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence and regenerative energy systems. They are also working on a lunar gravity simulatorwhich will allow you to train in conditions similar to those of the Moon, where gravity is only one sixth of that of Earth.
The opening of the facility marks an important step forward in preparing for future space missions. “This facility will help us meet the challenges of future space missions,” he says Daniel NeuenschwanderDirector of Human and Robotic Exploration at ESA. Not only are we preparing to return to our satellite, but we are laying the foundations for even more ambitious space explorations.
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