Project a potential international launching pad for future missions to Mars China, Europe to build 1st ‘Moon Village’

London, April 30: China and Europe are planning to build the first-ever “Moon Village” that could serve as a launching pad for deep space missions such as one to Mars, or even as a spot for space tourism and lunar mining.

Representatives of the Chinese and European space agencies have discussed collaborating on a moon-base and other possible joint endeavours.

The plan was first revealed by Tian Yulong, the secretary general of China’s space agency.

Pal Hvistendahl, a spokesperson for the European Space Agency (ESA), confirmed the discussions.

“Space has changed since the space race of the sixties. We recognise that to explore space for peaceful purposes, we do international cooperation,” Hvistendahl was quoted as saying by the Independent.

“The Chinese have a very ambitious moon programme already in place,” he said. Johann-Dietrich Worner, the director general of the 22- member ESA, has described its proposed “Moon Village” as a potential international launching pad for future missions to Mars and a chance to develop space tourism or even lunar mining. — Agencies

The Sun, citing a source, reported that the pet froze to death after he was accidentally left in a freezer for around 16 hours.

However, a United spokesman denied the claim, saying that the “assertion is completely false. Simon was cared for at the PetSafe kennel facility which is kept at room temperature (on average 70 degrees Fahrenheit).”

“He arrived in apparent good condition. He was seen by a representative of the kennel facility moving about within his crate in the morning,” he was quoted as saying. — PTI