European scientists planning robot village on the Moon?
The idea of establishing a robotic 'village' on the Moon, perhaps as a precursor to a manned base, has been discussed among European scientists for a number of years, and according to recent press reports, the concept is still on the mind of one leading lunar scientist. Bernard Foing, chief scientist at the European Space Agency's (ESA) solar system division, described to the UK's Guardian newspaper his vision for a collection of shelters, instruments and robotic exploration vehicles, possibly located on a ridge near the Moon's south pole which remains in sunlight all year round. 'It's a place with a very comfortable environment,' said Dr Foing. 'If you go to the equator, you have a temperature from day to night going from 120 degrees Celsius to minus 170 degrees. On the pole you have a very comfortable minus 20 degrees.' However, it appears that for the time being at least, Dr Foing's vision will remain precisely that. A spokesperson for ESA told CORDIS News: 'This sounds like one of his own ideas. Bernard Foing is one of our free thinkers within ESA, and as far as I'm aware there is no official plan for such a mission. In any case, there is certainly no budget approved at the moment.'