Europe is no different from the countries who have expressed their desire to send another exploration to the moon. In fact, the plans to send a European to the moon may be finalized by December of this year, according to the Human and Robotic Exploration Director of the European Space Agency (ESA). The agency has confirmed it.
Dr. David Parker, the former chief of the UK Space Agency, revealed that the groundwork for the project is well underway. This means that the agency has already looked into how they could make the spacecraft get into the moon's orbit from which the astronauts that will be sent could make a successful landing on the surface of the moon.
The ministers from the different states will be working together to get ESA what they need. This includes Great Britain, despite Brexit. The leaders are set to meet on November 26, 2019 in Seville to make the final decision on the mission. The ministers from different countries in Europe meet every three years to decide on the major projects that they will take on.
During the UK Space Conference, Dr. Parker spoke of the mission. He said, "In partnership with NASA, we are planning to go to the moon. Some people speak of it in Europe as if this project is really not happening. I just want to emphasize that it is happening."
"The first elements to the fulfillment of the project is already on its way. Multiple studies have been made to explore the possibility of a human lander. This project is going to push through and Europe will be playing a huge role in making it happen. We will be a part of it," Parker said.
The team working on the preparations for the presentation of the proposal to the Ministers have already done their part. The decision is to be made by the Ministers and the team remains hopeful that they would be able to bring the first Europeans to the moon.
"This project can put Europe back into the map on a global scale," Parker said.
Building the rocket to bring the astronauts to the moon is just the first part of the project. Providing the support that the astronauts need for survival in space is what is even more challenging. The plan to go to Mars is still far-fetched at the moment and the exploration of the moon should help Europe prepare of the challenges to come.
"If we want to send humans to Mars, there is a lot more we need to prepare. We will eventually get there," Parker said.
