Eager for Moon Walks Again: European Astronauts aspire for Lunar Adventures 💰🌕
German astronaut Alexander Gerst admits he'd relish the chance to join the lunar crowd, grabbing moon rocks in his hands, that's a "10 out of 10" for him! He's not alone; six European astronauts with space travel experience share his enthusiasm, sharing their thoughts with DPA in Berlin.
But, is a European visit to the Moon on the horizon? No concrete plans foresee an ESA astronaut joining NASA's Artemis 2 moon mission scheduled for late 2024. While ESA Director General, Josef Aschbacher, hints at involvement in Artemis 4 and 5 (2027 and 2028), the events beyond remain uncharted waters.
What lies beyond orbiting the Moon?
Aschbacher is tight-lipped about who will be among the four astronauts (two of whom will set foot on the Moon) for the Artemis 2 mission. NASA doesn't set foot on the Moon again until Artemis 3. This mission will send four US and Canadian astronauts aboard an Orion spacecraft. ESA plays a significant role in providing the European Service Module (ESM), built by Airbus in Bremen.
The Moon Race: USA vs. China 🌏💥
While the USA remains the sole country to plant its flag on the Moon from Apollo 11 to 17 (1969-1972), other nations eye their chances. Some experts predict a USA lunar landing by 2027, and China and India may join the market by 2030 and 2040 respectively.
Who's the clear favorite? "There's a strong likelihood an American will next set foot on the moon," says Aschbacher, confident that moontown growth is imminent from mid-decade. Officials plan to build lunar stations where astronauts will reside for weeks or months, rivaling ISS's six-month stint.
Lunar Gold Rush: Resource Extraction and Economic Growth 💰💰
Aschbacher points to the European Space Agency's untapped opportunities. With contested ownership claims, nations seek to secure lucrative raw materials such as rare earths for mining. But while lunar raw materials exploitation is compelling, space travel and moon infrastructure are currently economically unviable. Advanced technology, however, suggests prospective mining potential in the future, as technology drills deeper and transporting materials back to Earth becomes more feasible.
Gerst adds in that we're thinking a century ahead, not just ten. Envisaging a future beyond the wildest imaginations. Analysts predict these lunar projects will eventually be beneficial, despite their high starting costs.
In the race to the Moon, Europe numbers among the key players, partnering with USA's Artemis program. ESA-built European Service Module (ESM) catapults Orion spacecrafts (with no US astronauts onboard) to moontown, laying the groundwork for future martian settlements and technological advancements. By 2026, expect NASA's Artemis II moon mission, featuring European astronauts.
With significant advancements in space travel and astronomy, future space travel may allow people to establish permanent astronaut settlements on the Moon. The Moon will not only play host to astronomy observatories but also serve as a potential source of valuable raw materials, aiding Earth's growing economy.
Sources:
]1[ www.dpa.com]
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- ESA is a crucial partner in NASA's Artemis program, which is focused on returning humans to the Moon in 2024. The European Space Agency (ESA) will provide the European Service Module (ESM) for the Orion spacecraft for Artemis II mission, marking the first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972.
- Luca Parmitano, a prominent European astronaut, is excited about the prospect of flying to the Lunar Gateway and potentially to the Moon's surface. ESA is contributing to the Gateway's development, which will serve as a base for future deep-space exploration missions, including trips to the Moon and Mars.
- ESA has plans for a series of small, European-led missions near the Moon and Mars with budgets ranging from 50 to 100 million euros, including launch costs. These missions aim to advance human and robotics exploration of the Moon and Mars while developing the necessary technologies and expertise for potential human settlements there.
- The European Space Agency is open to international participation in lunar and martian missions.
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