Europe en route for moon with new simulator, says French astronaut

Europe has launched a new lunar simulator called LUNA at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Cologne, aimed at preparing for future moon missions. French astronaut Thomas Pesquet, who tested the facility, expressed excitement about the potential for lunar exploration, describing it as a significant advancement compared to missions to the International Space Station (ISS).
LUNA is designed to train astronauts and test equipment for lunar missions. Interest in lunar exploration has grown internationally, with NASA’s Artemis program planning to return astronauts to the moon by 2026, and China aiming for a crewed mission by 2030. The European Space Agency (ESA) is collaborating with NASA on equipment for Artemis and hopes to expand its role in lunar exploration.
During his initial tests at LUNA, Pesquet practiced walking in a simulated lunar environment, highlighting challenges like navigating the moon’s surface and dealing with its unique light conditions. He noted that LUNA serves as a demonstration of Europe’s commitment to lunar exploration, even though it is not formally tied to NASA’s Artemis program.

Source : CGTN