A new recreation of the Moon on Earth has sparked hopes of a European renaissance in space.
Known as LUNA, the futuristic facility was inaugurated today in Cologne, Germany.
Also in the pipeline are a gravity offloading system and an adjustable ramp that simulates lunar slopes.
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Among them is Spartan Space, which is developing a lunar base camp.
The camp is designed as a payload that spacecraft can robotically land on the Moon.
But first,Spartan Spacemust prove the camp is fit for purpose.
For this, we need LUNA, said Peter Weiss, the French firms co-founder and CEO.
We can put our habitat in there and test robotic operations.
We also planning to test it with astronauts.
Weiss has high hopes for LUNA and not only for his startup.
Hebelieves the site can underpin a renaissance in European space exploration.
Such a boost cant come soon enough.
The Moon is
In thenew raceto the Moon, Europe has fallen behind the US and China.
LUNA provides a chance to catch up.
The site will facilitate research, development, and integrated testing of lunar technologies.
Space agencies, researchers, and businesses can all jump into the facilities.
Spacetech funders are also upbeat.
ForEuropes startups, the simulator offers a promising launchpad.
By demonstrating theirtechin a realistic environment, they can prove the systems work and attract worldwide partners.
Weiss wants them to carve unique niches.
Everybody is concentrating on bringing astronauts to the lunar surface, he said.
Europe should bring auxiliary elements what I call the lunar logistics.
These logistics are diverse.
Many of these systems could eventuallyreturn to Earth.
But for now, LUNA will focus on the cosmos and so will Weiss.
Europe needs to go to the lunar surface, he said.
LUNAis a gateway to that.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
