Airbus Defence and Space, Air Liquide and ispace Europe have launched a European non-profit platform to explore future uses of the Moon’s natural resources and to foster a lunar industrial ecosystem, positioning European industry at the forefront of the future lunar economy.

During the 72nd International Astronautical Congress (IAF), which took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on October 25, the Franco-German manufacturer Airbus Defence and Space, the French industrial gases specialist Air Liquide and ispace Europe, the Luxembourg subsidiary of the Japanese company ispace, announced the joint creation of the European platform Euro2Moon. The European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC) has also announced its intention to join this organization as the first non-founding member.

By bringing together the complementary expertise of public and private partners, Euro2Moon will focus on topics related to the exploration of the lunar surface and the use of its resources in a commercial and sustainable. This non-profit platform intends to play a federating role of the industrial efforts deployed by Europe and thus make it a leading and sustainable player in this future economy based on the exploitation of in-situ resources.

Indeed, the objective is to create a platform for exchange in order to build a common vision and promote European industrial and institutional ecosystems, recommendations on global roadmaps, demonstration concepts and commercial programs. Long-term transport, life support, energy requirements for scientific and commercial applications will be studied.

A network of experts:

The Luxembourg-based association is open to industrial partners as well as research organizations interested in the development of technologies or services that can benefit lunar resource management. Any company whose headquarters or main activities are located in the European Union or in a member state of the European Space Agency (ESA) can join. The European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC) became the first non-founding member, and Jean Jacques Dordain, former ESA Director General (2003-2015) and advisor to the Luxembourg government on space issues, became the first honorary member.

“The Moon presents immense opportunities for the coming decades, both scientifically and economically. By joining forces in Europe, we can leverage our skills and expertise to bring maximum benefits to all of Earth’s inhabitants,” said Andreas Hammer, Head of Space Exploration at Airbus Defence and Space.

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