Europe wants to build a VILLAGE on the moon: Esa space boss describes plans for a ‘crazy’ lunar settlement 

  • Broad concept is a base for lunar exploration by humans and robots
  • It may serve as stopover for spacecraft and could even be a mining site
  • Experts proposed 3D printing buildings from the lunar soil, or regolith 
  • A lunar base could be built after the ISS is abonadoned, Esa says

The European Space Agency's new boss today elaborated on plans to build a village on the moon.

For now, it is just an idea - called 'crazy' by some - but one that Jan Woerner said was being widely discussed as the end of the ISS looms large.

The broad concept is a base for lunar exploration by humans and robots, potentially a stopover for spacecraft and possibly even a mining site.

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China is talking with the European Space Agency about collaborating on a human settlement on the moon. Pictured is an artist's illustration released by the ESA last year 

The European Space Agency's new boss today elaborated on plans to build a village on the moon. For now, it is just an idea - called 'crazy' by some - but one that Jan Woerner said was being widely discussed as the end of the ISS looms large 

'It's not to build some small houses over there and then to have a city hall and a church and whatever,' said Woerner, who took over as Esa director general last July.

The Moon Village would have 'multiple uses and multiple users', he told journalists in Paris.

'Maybe one country is more interested in science, another may be a private company interested in mining... and another may be interested to use the Moon as a stepping stone for further exploration,' he explained.

'This is the overall scheme, and we are now discussing of course worldwide whether there is enough interest in that to go ahead with it,' said Woerner.

The timing, he added, would be 'post-ISS'.

The orbiting science station is a joint project of Europe, Canada, the United States, Japan and Russia.

Esa scientists have been testing 3D-printing technology they say could be used on the moon. It was one of a number of proposals discussed at an international conference organised by Esa about returning humans to the lunar surface. A proposed lunar base is illustrated

Esa scientists have been testing 3D-printing technology they say could be used on the moon. It was one of a number of proposals discussed at an international conference organised by Esa about returning humans to the lunar surface. A proposed lunar base is illustrated

All members but the European Union have agreed to operate and finance the ISS to at least 2024.

Woerner insisted today the ISS 'has its value' and said he hoped to convince member states that 'Esa should continue' its involvement in the project.

Europe is currently committed until 2020.

As for the future, 'I see the Moon Village as the ideal successor of the International Space Station for... exploration,' said Woerner.

CHINA'S MISSION TO THE MOON DISCOVERS NEW TYPE OF ROCK

A type of titanium-rich rock, never before seen by researchers, has been discovered on the surface of the moon.

Samples of the unique basalt were gathered by the Chinese rover Jade-Rabbit and researchers have now studied the rock to learn more about the moon's volcanic surface.

In particular, the rock contains a unique mixture of titanium dioxide and olivine, which makes it different from any of the samples returned by the Nasa Apollo missions.

The unmanned Chang'e-3 probe and the Jade Rabbit rover touched down on a vast flat flood plain formed of a unique type of volcanic basalt.

Analysis of the measurements the rover took while exploring the site have revealed the area formed surprisingly recently and may be among the youngest areas on the lunar surface.

While the surface of the moon is largely thought to have been shaped by volcanic eruptions that took place some 3 to 4 billion years ago.

But the unusual volcanic basalt rock discovered by the Chinese rover appears to be just 2.96 billion years old.

It has been found to contain a unique mixture of minerals that has high levels of titanium dioxide and also another green mineral called olivine. 

'So far, there is no competitive proposal on the table.'

Unlike the ISS, he explained, a lunar village required no 'formal decision' among countries.

'It is more an understanding of many nations to go together to the Moon.'

What is important, however, is a discussion on the best location to settle. 'Is it the far side? Is it the near side? Is it the poles?'

Once a spot is chosen, said Woerner, individual countries or space agencies will decide how they want to take part in the project.

But who would take part?

'Russia has some lunar missions planned, so why not have them as part of the Moon Village?' asked Woerner, noting also that 'the Chinese are planning some lunar missions.'

He also said he did not mind that some think his idea hare-brained.

'The word 'crazy' is exactly something I would like,' he said. 'We have to think out of the box. That means new ideas.'

Woerner said he had mooted his idea at two space gatherings last year, in the US and in Israel, and 'I've had several organisations worldwide saying to me: 'How can we participate?'.'

The scheme will come up in talks with the space agencies of the US, Japan, Canada and Russia in the coming weeks, on the future of the ISS.

'And we will have discussions with other countries and states worldwide,' said Woerner.

'We need an idea of where to go and what to do.'

Earlier this month, Esa proposed using 3D printing technology to create a series of permanent structures using the lunar soil, known as regolith, which could used to house astronauts by 2030. 

Esa has begun to take a lead role in the push to establish a base on the moon after Nasa said it does not intend to be the lead in future manned missions on the lunar surface.

Instead, the American space agency is focusing on sending humans to an asteroid and then on to the surface of Mars. 

Esa's D-Shape printer has been used to create prototype structures that could be used in a lunar base (pictured). It uses a mobile array of printing nozzles that spray a binding solution onto a sand-like material

Esa's D-Shape printer has been used to create prototype structures that could be used in a lunar base (pictured). It uses a mobile array of printing nozzles that spray a binding solution onto a sand-like material

This 1.5 tonne building block was produced as a demonstration of 3D printing techniques using lunar soil

Space exploration experts from around the world met in Noorwijk, the Netherlands, last month for the Esa-led international symposium entitled Moon 2020-2030: A New Era of Coordinated Human and Robotic Exploration.

They discussed new technologies that could help to support human life on the moon including new space suits, habitats and ways of producing food.

Some of these technologies, such as greenhouses being used to grow salad and other planets, are already being tested on the International Space Station.

Laurent Pambaguian, from Esa's materials technology section, outlined technology his team have been testing to print construction blocks out of the lunar regolith.

He added that 3D printers can produce between 6.5ft and 11ft (2 metres and 3.5 metres) of material an hour, meaning an entire structure could be produced in a week.

By sending a robot capable of building structures from the lunar soil, it may be possible to have these in place in time for a manned mission to the moon. 

Speaking in the past about the 3D printing technology, Mr Pambaguian said: 'Terrestrial 3D printing technology has produced entire structures.

Scientists also discussed a possible location for a base with astronomers favouring the far side of the moon as it would allow radio telescopes to peer into space without being effected by transmissions from Earth. A false colour image of the lunar surface is pictured

Scientists also discussed a possible location for a base with astronomers favouring the far side of the moon as it would allow radio telescopes to peer into space without being effected by transmissions from Earth. A false colour image of the lunar surface is pictured

'Our industrial team investigated if it could similarly be employed to build a lunar habitat.'

Artist's impressions of such a lunar base released by Esa have been compared to the underground buildings inhabited by the children's TV charactrers the Teletubbies.

Scientists also discussed a possible location for a base with astronomers favouring the far side of the moon as it would allow radio telescopes to peer into space without being effected by transmissions from Earth. 

However, according to Space.com, Europe now appears to be leading the international efforts to put humans back on the moon.

Kathy Laurini, Nasa's co-chair for the exploration roadmap working group who attended the symposium, said: 'The Esa space-exploration strategy sets the moon as a priority destination for humans on the way to Mars.

'The recent talk of a 'Moon Village' certainly has generated a lot of positive energy in Europe.

'The timing is right to get started on the capabilities which allow Europe to meet its exploration objectives and ensure it remains a strong partner as humans begin to explore the solar system.'

Structures for a lunar base could be built by robots sent ahead of human astronauts. Experts said 3D printing technology can currently construct an entire building in around a week

Structures for a lunar base could be built by robots sent ahead of human astronauts. Experts said 3D printing technology can currently construct an entire building in around a week