Space travel - Maurer: Planned moon flights are an "opportunity for our generation"
Esa astronaut Matthias Maurer is hoping for a flight to the moon with the US-led Artemis missions. "These moon flights are our generation's chance. I would be delighted and will do everything I can to be ready," the European Space Agency (Esa) astronaut told the German Press Agency.
In the project, four astronauts will fly to the moon - two will remain in lunar orbit and two will land on the Earth's satellite. Europe is involved in the initiative. However, it remains to be seen what role Esa astronauts could play in the missions planned from 2025 - for example, whether a European will set foot on the moon for the first time.
"If I get close to the moon, that's the right direction," said Maurer. "Hopping around on it and exploring it scientifically would of course be the absolute jackpot." He is eagerly waiting to see if it works.
"Everyone who has this job is nervous," said the 53-year-old from Saarland. "Before my first space flight two years ago, I was much more impatient because I was waiting for this premiere. Now I'm more relaxed. But of course I want to fly again. Everyone is dragging their feet somewhere."
It could also be that someone else from the Esa squad flies with him - and he helps with the mission on the ground. "We are all team players. If I contribute to other Europeans flying to the moon, I've also done something," said Maurer - and added: "But being there myself would of course be one step better."
Matthias Maurer at Esa
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Source: www.stern.de
