ESA Opens Lunar Simulator for Astronaut Training

NASA is advancing its Artemis missions with plans to land humans on the Moon by 2026, and is evaluating three companies for a lunar vehicle contract aimed at supporting scientific discovery and establishing a lunar economy. Meanwhile, a new book titled 'The Barber, The Astronaut and The Golf Ball' explores the legacy of astronaut Alan Shepard's historic golf shots on the Moon, highlighting a unique friendship and the importance of space memorabilia. In Germany, the European Space Agency has inaugurated a state-of-the-art lunar simulator in Cologne, allowing astronauts to train in an environment that replicates the Moon's surface. Additionally, Elon Musk is setting ambitious goals for a Martian program, aiming to send humans to Mars and establish a base there. As international efforts in space exploration intensify, the focus remains not only on scientific advancement but also on building sustainable operations beyond Earth. These developments reflect a growing interest in both historical achievements and future possibilities in space exploration.