Moon on Earth: new training ground in Germany prepares astronauts for lunar missions
A new lunar training facility, the LUNA Analog Facility, has officially opened near Cologne, Germany. LUNA will provide a unique opportunity for astronauts to prepare for future moon missions in an environment that closely replicates the lunar surface and is located closer to home, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
Jointly developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the facility spans 700 square meters and contains 900 tons of volcanic rock to simulate the moon’s dusty surface. Astronauts from various space agencies, including NASA, will train there for upcoming lunar missions.
One of the key features of the LUNA facility is the regolith testbed, which mimics the moon’s surface in both texture and composition. “We have about 900 tonnes of regolith simulating material in the facility to simulate the dusty environment and mobility on the surface,” said Juergen Schlutz, LUNA Facility Engineer & Moon Strategy Lead at European Space Agency, during the facility’s first press briefing.
Additionally, the facility includes an advanced illumination system that recreates the moon’s day-and-night cycles, allowing astronauts to experience the lunar environment in a controlled setting.
Future projects at the facility include the Future Lunar Exploration Habitat (FLEXHab), which will simulate potential moon habitation modules. The EDEN-ISS greenhouse will also be transformed into the "EDEN LUNA" project, enabling astronauts to practice cultivating food, which is an essential skill for long-term moon missions.
