The European Space Agency (ESA) is pressing ahead with plans to build a permanent settlement on the moon.
The ESA hopes to create a residence on the moon in collaboration with international space agencies. Although the project may not happen in reality, moving forward theoretically is a real boon for advocates of space travel.
Johann-Dietrich Wörner, the director general of the ESA, talked about the possibility of a ‘moon village’ during the 32nd Space Symposium in April.
Wörner sees the potential to build a base for science, business, mining and tourism. It would be used by the ESA and associated member states.
The ESA believes the moon is a logical destination in terms of creating a liveable environment outside the Earth. It is our planet’s nearest neighbour, the next step from outside the Earth’s low orbit.
Wörner explained the moon village at the New Generation Space Leaders panel on the future of human spaceflight:
“I think we should go first to the moon and then further on. I would not call Mars the ultimate goal. I am quite sure humans will go further.
“A village is something where different people are gathering with different capabilities, different opportunities, and then they build a community. It’s not one village with some houses, a church.
“But for me, it is also a stepping stone, a test bed … to go further, for instance, to Mars and beyond.”
Of course, while Mars is very much the focus of space travel right now, lunar exploration has a long way to go. Taking people to the moon and building a place for people to live, or at least visit, would be a colossal change.
HT NBC
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Original publication by Josh Barrie: Source article