{"id":15730,"date":"2024-09-25T13:00:24","date_gmt":"2024-09-25T13:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/TheNextWeb=1410537"},"modified":"2024-09-25T13:00:24","modified_gmt":"2024-09-25T13:00:24","slug":"esas-new-moon-on-earth-can-launch-a-european-renaissance-in-spacetech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/?p=15730","title":{"rendered":"ESA\u2019s new \u2018Moon on Earth\u2019 can launch a \u2018European renaissance\u2019 in spacetech"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A new recreation of the Moon on Earth has sparked hopes of a \u201cEuropean renaissance\u201d in space.<\/span><\/p>\n

Known as LUNA, the futuristic facility was inaugurated today in Cologne, Germany. The ceremony showcased several striking features, from a 700-square-metre replica of the lunar surface to a Sun simulator that mimics the Moon\u2019s phases. <\/span><\/p>\n

Also in the pipeline are a gravity offloading system and an adjustable ramp that simulates lunar slopes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Operated by the European Space Agency<\/a><\/span> (ESA) and the German Aerospace Agency, the site offers realistic conditions for spacetech R&D. <\/span><\/p>\n

Startups<\/span> are already testing their tech on the site. Among them is Spartan Space, which is developing a lunar base camp.<\/p>\n

The camp is designed as a payload that spacecraft can robotically land on the Moon. Astronauts would then head towards the base from their initial landing spot, extending their adventures across the lunar surface.<\/span><\/p>\n

But first, Spartan Space<\/a> must prove the camp is fit for purpose. \u201cFor this, we need LUNA,\u201d said Peter Weiss, the French firm\u2019s co-founder and CEO.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can put our habitat in there and test robotic operations. We also planning to test it with astronauts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Weiss has high hopes for LUNA \u2014 and not only for his startup. He believes the site can underpin \u201ca renaissance in European space exploration.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Such a boost can\u2019t come soon enough.<\/p>\n

The Moon is<\/h2>\n

In the new race<\/a> to the Moon, Europe has fallen behind the US and China. LUNA provides a chance to catch up.<\/p>\n

The site will facilitate research, development, and integrated testing of lunar technologies. Space agencies, researchers, and businesses can all access the facilities.<\/p>\n

Josef Aschbacher, ESA\u2019s director general, said the site places Europe \u201cat the forefront of lunar exploration and beyond.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Spacetech funders are also upbeat. Lucas Bishop, an associate at investment firm Seraphim Space, called the site\u2019s inauguration \u201ca significant milestone for Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we progress towards establishing a self-sustaining lunar economy, testbeds like LUNA will be indispensable for testing and refining new technologies and concepts,\u201d Bishop told TNW.<\/p>\n

For Europe\u2019s startups<\/a>, the simulator offers a promising launchpad. By demonstrating their tech<\/a> in a realistic environment, they can prove the systems work and attract worldwide partners.<\/p>\n

Weiss wants them to carve unique niches. \u201cEverybody is concentrating on bringing astronauts to the lunar surface,\u201d he said. \u201cEurope should bring auxiliary elements \u2014 what I call the lunar logistics.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

These logistics are diverse. Deep lunar exploration will require a dizzying array of tech, from robotic landers and lunar rovers to oxygen production and energy storage.<\/p>\n

Many of these systems could eventually return to Earth<\/a>. But for now, LUNA will focus on the cosmos \u2014 and so will Weiss.<\/p>\n

\u201cEurope needs to go to the lunar surface,\u201d he said. \u201cLUNA<\/span> is a gateway to that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A new recreation of the Moon on Earth has sparked hopes of a \u201cEuropean renaissance\u201d in space. Known as LUNA, the futuristic facility was inaugurated today in Cologne, Germany. The ceremony showcased…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15731,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15730"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15730"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15730\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15731"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15730"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15730"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15730"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}