Europe opens LUNA training facility to simulate moon environment for astronauts

Europe has launched the LUNA Analog Facility, a new training center designed to simulate the moon's environment. Unveiled in late September 2024, it features artificial lunar soil and specialized lighting but lacks a gravity simulator, which is essential for realistic training. Astronauts Matthias Maurer and Thomas Pesquet demonstrated sample collection on the facility's 700 square meters of regolith. However, without moon-like gravity, their movements resembled those on Earth, highlighting a significant limitation in the facility's current capabilities. Engineers are working on a gravity offload system to better simulate lunar conditions. The facility, developed over 12 years, aims to support astronaut training and technology testing for future moon missions, contributing to Europe's space ambitions.