Is a 'village on the Moon' gradually taking shape?

The European Space Agency's (ESA) plan for an international cooperative settlement on the Moon is gradually taking shape.

This seems like a more realistic goal than a plan to settle on Mars; if successful, the "Moon Village" would become a backup habitat for humanity.

The space race

Last year, the ESA announced plans to build a dwelling on the Moon, called the "Moon Village." The village is a follow-up to the International Space Station (ISS), which is scheduled to cease operations in 2024.

The Moon Village is part of ESA Director General Johann-Dietrich Wörner's 4.0 space model, a new era in space exploration where space exploration is no longer the exclusive domain of governments but is open to private organizations.

Conceptual model of a house on the Moon.

Earlier this month, at the ESA Board of Directors meeting in Lucerne, Switzerland, Mr. Wörner said that the plan had progressed according to schedule, "successfully, tinged with a little disappointment."

The Space 4.0 project has attracted cooperation from many countries around the world; in addition to the 22 member states of ESA, many countries outside the EU are also providing support.

After many rounds of heated discussions (as well as exhausting negotiations over financing), Wörner's proposal for "A 4.0 Space for a Unified European Space" has raised €10.3 billion (approximately $10.77 billion).

"A bit disappointing" is that the Asteroid Impact Mission project failed to secure funding. This project, under the ESA, researches solutions for deflecting asteroids that could collide with Earth.

"Those are the most interesting characteristics of ESA: bold, innovative, and ambitious, all at the same time," said Wörner.

ESA isn't the only agency setting its sights on the Moon. The British architectural firm Foster + Partners has designed its own version of a lunar dwelling with a connected green canopy capable of shielding inhabitants from radiation and space debris.

Google Lunar XPRIZE has also assembled its own team to compete on the Moon. India, Russia, Japan, and China's space agency are also in this race.

Google Lunar XPRIZE has also assembled its own army to compete on the Moon.

A backup habitat for all species.

Some people argue that the funds and efforts spent on space exploration are a waste, especially when so many people are still starving on Earth.

While that is true, scientists believe that if we don't build backup habitats outside of Earth, it's highly likely that all of humanity (and the entire planet) will be destroyed at some point, whether by an external impact like a comet or by an internal conflict like war.

An extraterrestrial colony would be crucial for the survival of humankind and a defensive stronghold for all species.

According to Discovery