A new recreation of the Moon on Earth has sparked hopes of a “European renaissance” in space. Known as LUNA, the futuristic facility was inaugurated today in Cologne, Germany. The ceremony showcased several striking features, from a 700-square-metre replica of the lunar surface to a Sun simulator that mimics the Moon’s phases.  Also in the pipeline are a gravity offloading system and an adjustable ramp that simulates lunar slopes. Operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Aerospace Agency, the site offers realistic conditions for spacetech R&D. Startups are already testing their tech on the site. Among them is Spartan…

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