Training facility for astronautical and robotic moon missions opened
October 15, 2024
Training facility for astronautical and robotic moon missions opened
Soil investigations on the "moon on earth"
In the realistic environment of the LUNA facility, the astronaut in the modern space suit demonstrates the examination of a so-called point of interest, a location on the "lunar soil" that is to be examined more closely.
Symbolic opening ceremony for the LUNA plant in Cologne
From left: ESA astronaut Dr Alexander Gerst, Mona Neubaur (Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection in NRW), Dr Anna Christmann MdB (Federal Government Coordinator for German Aerospace), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla (Chair of the DLR Executive Board), Josef Aschbacher (ESA Director General) and Daniel Neuenschwander (ESA Director of Astronautical and Robotic Exploration)
The LUNA research hall in Cologne simulates conditions on the surface of the moon. It was officially opened on 25 September 2024.
The moon now also exists on Earth - for training astronauts and robots, developing technologies and preparing for long-term missions: The German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have jointly built the LUNA research facility. Among other things, the LUNA hall contains a 700 square metre simulated lunar surface. It is filled with "moon dust", which is deceptively similar to real regolith. Stones and rocks are modelled on lunar geology and a solar simulator creates light conditions just like on the moon. The research centre was officially opened on 25 September 2024.
"Through research into technologies and innovation for space travel, LUNA will help us to optimally prepare for activities on the lunar surface. This involves robotics as well as artificial intelligence, local resource utilisation and resource-conserving cycles through to regenerative energy systems. LUNA offers a unique variety of components for scientific research and technological developments under one roof. As the 'Moon on Earth', LUNA will sustainably support lunar activities from Germany," says Prof Dr Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, Chairwoman of the DLR Executive Board.
As part of the LUNA project, the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics is building a versatile rover with an active chassis, which will be used for research and astronaut training in the LUNA hall from the end of 2026. We are also on hand to advise the LUNA team on all matters relating to robotics. The lunar simulation hall, like the institute's Moon-Mars test field, offers an important and sustainable training and preparation opportunity for future space missions and the development of fundamental technologies.
Further information can be found on the LUNA Hall website and in the DLR press release.
