Europe Is Creating Its Own Moon On Earth

Image: European Space Agency

9 October 2024

European scientists are investigating the feasibility of building a moon replica on Earth


Image: European Space Agency

To achieve this, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Aerospace Centre have established the LUNA Analog Facility


Image: European Space Agency

This facility, located near Cologne, Germany, features 900 tons of crushed volcanic rock to mimic the lunar surface


Image: European Space Agency

To simulate the moon's low-gravity conditions, scientists plan to use movable ceiling-mounted trolleys 


Image: European Space Agency

It can track the movements of rovers or astronauts, creating a similar experience to what they would encounter on the moon


Image: European Space Agency

ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst discussed the new facility, explaining that it will simulate "most aspects that we will encounter on the moon"


Image: European Space Agency

The facility, called LUNA (Lunar Analog), features a simulated lunar surface spread over a 700-square-meter area


Image: European Space Agency

Scientists created the 700-square-meter artificial regolith using volcanic soils from the Eifel region in Germany, Mount Etna in Italy, and rocks from Norway


Image: European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) has secured three spots in the NASA-led Artemis program, scheduled for 2030


Image: European Space Agency

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Image: European Space Agency

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