Russia and Europe plan to join hands to send people to settle on the Moon
The Russian and European space agencies will cooperate on a series of missions to create a permanent human base on the Moon.
| A base on the far side of the Moon could house a telescope that would help humans see the universe more clearly. Photo: Science Photo Library |
According to the Independent, the first phase of this project, named Luna 27, will be deployed in the next 5 years. Roscosmos, the Russian federal space agency, is the one leading the project, in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA), continuing Russia's 1970 lunar exploration program.
"The 21st century is the century when humans establish outposts to explore the universe," Professor Igor Mitrofanov, head of the Luna 27 project at the Space Research Institute in Moscow, said on October 16.
Bérengère Houdou, head of the lunar exploration team at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (Estec), agrees. He said that there have been many international discussions to discuss plans to return to the Moon.
ESA is also developing a new lander and reinforced drill, hoping to use it to study the Moon’s ice. They believe the unexplored south pole, where parts of the Moon are always in darkness, contains ice – a vital resource for the future.
ESA's plan for a partnership with Russia is under consideration by EU ministers, with a final decision expected by the end of next year. However, leading members of both the Russian and EU space agencies have already voiced their support for the project.
According to VnExpress
