[Igor Antunov]

Russia and Europe to launch joint mission to dark side of Moon, then build base there

The European Space Agency (ESA) is set to join Russia’s ambitious plan to colonize the Moon, with an announcement that it will provide key tech for a planned exploration mission in 2020, and possibly help construct a permanent outpost.

Announced by Russia’s space agency Roscosmos last November, Luna 27 is a robotic lander that will land in the South Pole–Aitken basin, a giant crater on the dark side of the Moon, and prospect it for resources that could be utilized by future moon-dwellers.

For the mission, ESA is expected to supply Pilot, a landing system that uses laser guidance and a set of sophisticated cameras to pick the best spot for exploration, and a revolutionary drill that will burrow 2 meters under the surface. The Europeans will also construct an on-board lab that can immediately analyze the samples.

https://www.rt.com/news/319015-luna-moon-russia-esa/

[ThereBeDragons]

and possibly help construct a permanent outpost.

You'll be happy to know that I've launched an initiative to possibly build a warpgate to Mars.

I'll be starting a Kickstarter for it soon.

[Potemkin]

There is no "dark side of the moon", Igor.

[Decky]

Of course there is Pote. The side we can't see is dark just as things don't exist when we can't see them and people die when they are in other rooms to us. What the hell do you think you are; a physicist?

[Potemkin]

I... I'm sorry Decky. I don't know what came over me. It won't happen again.

[Igor Antunov]

Also the regolith on that side is actually darker, due to it being exposed to more asteroid strikes over time.

[Decky]

I... I'm sorry Decky. I don't know what came over me. It won't happen again.

Good. I would worry about you but of course when I log out all the PoFoers vanish in a puff of smoke so no need to concern myself with them. What cider should I buy at the off license today?

[Potemkin]

Also the regolith on that side is actually darker, due to it being exposed to more asteroid strikes over time.

Uh-huh.

I recommend Strongbow, Decky.

[Decky]

A good Proletarian choice (I am rather surprised at you truth be told).

[Potemkin]

Sometimes, the unpretentious things in life are the best, Decky.

[Decky]

I...I...I... sometimes on Friday (payday) I buy the strongbow in the silver cans. The strongbow adulterated with citrus flavours for smoother drinking experience...

Still now that the petit bourgeois in charge of us is busy running the gang into the ground paydays (and indeed jobs to do) are a bit thin on the ground so that hasn't happened for sometime.

I used the re-read the ragged trousered philanthropists every couple of years but I doubt I will bother now, I am living it.

[Political Interest]

It is not a good idea. I don't think we should explore space. You just never know what we might encounter.

[Bulaba Khan Jones]

I think we should stay on Earth forever until we solve everything bad like poverty, war, disease, unhappiness, rudeness, the Netherlands, and so on. It's not like fixing everything and creating heaven on Earth will take an extremely long time or anything. And then we can explore and colonize space.

[Potemkin]

I...I...I... sometimes on Friday (payday) I buy the strongbow in the silver cans. The strongbow adulterated with citrus flavours for smoother drinking experience...

*gasp*

Is... is this true, Decky? Have you... have you really fallen so low...?

[mikema63]

I bet he drinks raspberry beer now.

[Potemkin]

I no longer understand this world.

[Ganeshas Rat]

It is just empty talk. There will be no base ever.

[jessupjonesjnr87]

we need nukes on the moon

[Heisenberg]

Decky, Strongbow is foul. Drink Bulmer's instead, or something from the green fields of West Mercia.

[Noelnada]

I hope European and Russian space agencies will continue to collaborate and work hard together to accomplish this kind of project. ExoMars is the next big joint project. For the moon project, it sounds like a good idea but i think it's premature to expect a moon base before a couple of decades.