Europe to Launch Own Spacecraft to Moon – Roskosmos

The European Space Agency (ESA) is considering launching an autonomous landing craft to the Moon to develop technologies for future inter-planetary flights, the Russian Space Agency (Roskosmos) spokesperson said.

ESA is currently developing a conceptual project entitled MoonNext, which will be put forward for consideration at the European Union in November 2008 and, if implemented, will become a reality by 2015, said a statement posted on the agency’s website.

European researchers said the mission itself is unlikely to make any important discoveries on the Moon, however, its accomplishment will bring new experience needed for spacecraft landings on other planets and their satellites, the statement said.

European scientists and technicians are planning to gain experience in spacecraft control, to collect information about the Moon and to search for mineral resources.