Europe's Next Space Chief Wants a Moon Colony

A permanent Moon base as successor to the ISS.

by Rod D. Martin
May 28, 2015

Johann-Dietrich Wörner, the incoming leader of the European Space Agency, expressed his desire to see a colony on the far side of the moon at the Space Foundation's National Space Symposium, according to an article published on Space.com:

"It seems to be appropriate to propose a permanent moon station as the successor of ISS," Wörner said. This station should be international, "meaning that the different actors can contribute with their respective competencies and interests."

Wörner said that "the moon station can be an important stepping stone for any further exploration in deep space," adding that a lunar outpost could help humanity learn how to use resources on-site instead of transporting them.

Wörner was announced on December 18, 2014. His term begins on July 1st of this year.