We’ve got a corner of the Moon right here on Earth! 🌕 To mark International Moon Day this Sunday, we’re taking you behind the scenes at LUNA, Europe’s brand-new lunar analogue facility in Cologne, Germany. In these stunning portraits by paoloverzone, astronauts astro_alex_esa, esamatthiasmaurer and astro_luca are seen inside a unique space designed to simulate the Moon’s surface and prepare for future exploration. Located next to our European Astronaut Centre, LUNA is a collaboration between us and the dlr.en With 900 tonnes of basalt-based lunar soil simulant, a deep drilling zone, and a powerful Sun simulator, it offers a realistic environment to test technology, train mission teams, and carry out research for lunar missions. From robotics to regolith sampling, lighting simulations to mission control links, LUNA is Europe’s new hub for advancing Moon exploration – right here on Earth. Now it’s your turn! If you had the chance to train at LUNA, what would you want to try first – ...