The European Space Agency, in collaboration with the German Aerospace Centre, on Wednesday inaugurated 'Luna,' a lunar simulation facility designed to prepare for future Moon missions.
Located in Troisdorf, near Cologne, close to the ESA European Astronaut Centre, the simulator covers an area of 700 square metres. It recreates the lunar surface using 900 tonnes of regolith simulant made from volcanic granules and basalt. The facility includes a lighting system that simulates the day-night cycle and a floor that allows drilling up to three metres deep.
The installation will soon be enhanced with a mobile ramp for testing mobility on rugged terrain and a simulator that mimics the Moon’s low gravity, which is one-sixth of Earth’s.
“This unique facility, which can replicate lunar conditions, will help deepen our understanding of the Moon and prepare for upcoming missions,” said ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher.
Luna will enable astronauts to prepare for lunar missions by testing technologies in realistic conditions. The infrastructure will be available to international space agencies, universities, and companies.
The US space agency, NASA, plans to send humans back to the Moon in 2026.
