European astronauts should soon be a little closer to a mission to the moon. Three astronauts from the European Space Agency (ESA) can fly to the planned “Gateway” outpost, which will one day orbit the moon. The Paris-based ESA announced this on Wednesday in connection with its collaboration with the American space agency NASA. The astronauts must therefore board the “Orion” capsule.
According to the announcement, the collaboration between the US and Europe also paves the way for an ESA’s first astronaut on the moon itself. NASA chief Bill Nelson said, “We look forward to having an ESA astronaut with us on the lunar surface.”
Start in ten years
In a press conference, he said the exact occupation of the capsules as part of the “Artemis” mission had not yet been determined. ESA Director Josef Aschbacher reiterated his wish to see a European astronaut on the moon before the end of this decade.
With the “Artemis” mission, American astronauts would land on the moon again by 2024, including a woman for the first time. This is now planned for 2025 at the earliest. ESA is also involved in the mission and is supplying an important part of the “Orion” spacecraft with the European service module.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
