European Space Agency Lunar Base

European Space Agency The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the exploration of space, with 22 member states. Established in 1975 and headquartered in Paris, France, ESA has a worldwide staff of about 2,000 and an annual budget of about €5.25 billion / US$5.77 billion (2016)

The European Space Agency is pressing forward in its plans to set up a permanent human outpost on the moon. This envisioned "moon village," a product of international collaboration between nations, will be a base for science, business, mining and even tourism. So Europe is ratcheting up what it sees as the strategic significance of the moon by pushing forward on lunar-exploration missions that would involve both humans and robots. 

European space planners envision a series of human missions to the lunar vicinity starting in the early 2020s. Those missions, according to the plan, will include coordination between astronauts and robotic systems on the lunar surface. Robots would land first, paving the way for human explorers to set foot on the moon later. 

ESA regards the moon as the next logical destination for humans beyond low Earth orbit, and utilizing Earth's nearest neighbor should pave the way for human missions to Mars

ESA Vision of Lunar Base

PBL Idea: Explore alternative possibility to life on Earth. Project to attempt would be to construct a dome, and fill it with CO2 and observe the effect of the dome environment on a number of plant types. The goal of this activity: (1) to think about the requirements for life on the Moon (2) to stimulate students’ interest by solving the practical problems this adventure poses.

Explore 1) The results of the exploration of Moon and the analyses of extreme environments and organisms that live in extreme environments (i.e., Atmosphere, Soil, Temperature, Sunlight, Water). 2) The investigations of factors on Moon into a comparison of the conditions existing on Moon to support life. Explain 3) Their understanding and substantiation of what plants are most likely to be strong candidates for a Moon Farm. 4) Where on the Moon is the most likely place to create a colony. Elaborate 5) Students attempt to build a model of a Dome; or 6) Using equipment described to conduct authentic experiments on plants in Moon conditions.

Interdisciplinary Planning Science: 1) Biology: This portion first asks what are the minimal, necessary conditions for life. This component may be used as an adjunct to an Environment Science unit, or as part of Scientific Method in a Biology class. 2) Chemistry: Explore the chemistry of soils and atmosphere, how pressure temperature and volume interact, and how the greenhouse phenomenon can be used to an advantage. 3) Physics: Explore the role of pressure on stress-bearing components in this part of the unit. The physics of rocket propulsion and interplanetary travel may be included.

4) Earth Science: A comparison of Earth and Moon geology and atmospheric composition provides a basis for understanding the feasibility of growing food in Moon soil. 5) Technology and Engineering: Building a mockup of a “MoonDome” will require researching the origins of the geodesic dome and its structural properties. A working dome can be produced from Plexiglas that is sealed at the sides and bottom. Extensions include altering the atmosphere, pressure, temperature and soil inside using commercially available equipment. priority again?

Mathematics: Calculations of size, force, pressure and more English Language Arts: Explorations of human emotions that might be expected. Discussion of the difference between living in an artificial habitat and truly living on Mars. Social Studies: Why did the space effort dwindle? Why is it restarting now? What will the financial cost be, and what are other options?

1) http://www.space.com/31488-european-moon-base-2030s.html Sources: 1) http://www.space.com/31488-european-moon-base-2030s.html 2) NASA Endeavor Stem Teaching Certificate Project: MarsDome by Paul Good