Join us with ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer as we explore LUNA – our state-of-the-art Moon analogue facility located next to the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. A joint project between ESA and DLR, LUNA is designed to simulate the lunar surface and will train astronauts and support a wide range of research and technology development for future missions to the Moon and beyond.
This is the first episode of our ESA Explores podcast series diving into everything you want to know about the activities at ESA’s European Astronaut Centre. Recorded in August 2024.
Find out more about LUNA here: Home – Luna Analog Facility (luna-analog-facility.de)
More about the Artemis programme: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Orion
Glossary: DLR – Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (German Aerospace Center), EAC – European Astronaut Centre, EMU – Extravehicular Mobility Unit, EVA – Extravehicular Activity, NBF – Neutral Buoyancy Facility, NBL – Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory
Host and audio editing by Laura Zurmühlen, featuring music by Denzel Lorge.
Tune in to ESA Explores episodes via all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, Amazon Music, Deezer and more.
About the ESA Explores: Road to the stars series
In this new season of the ESA Explores podcast, we take you behind the scenes of ESA’s European Astronaut Centre (EAC) and Europe’s human and robotic space exploration efforts. Each episode features exclusive interviews with EAC experts giving listeners a unique look at astronaut training, cutting-edge technology, and the teamwork involved in missions to the International Space Station and beyond.
From the everyday challenges to the exciting innovations shaping the future of space exploration, this series highlights the incredible work happening at EAC and the people who make it all possible.