“This is a simulation of a mission to the Moon. In terms of geology, it was interesting to come to Tignes: we are in the shape of a crater, we have snow, the cold… the conditions are ideal.” –Peter Weiss, Director of Spartan Space
The frozen lake at Tignes Ski Resort recently served as an unconventional open-air laboratory for a French start-up, transforming its surroundings into a setting reminiscent of a science fiction movie. Against the backdrop of a frozen crater-shaped landscape, a flying saucer-like machine and astronauts clad in luminous suits simulated a mission to the Moon.
Paudal reports Peter Weiss, the director of Spartan Space, the driving force behind this project, described the endeavor as a geologically interesting simulation due to the crater shape, snow, and extreme cold of Tignes. The experiment aimed to test various subsystems, including life support systems inside the capsule. The team explored possibilities such as accommodating a crew of two astronauts for sleeping, working, and conducting spacewalks.
Despite the artificial exterior at this stage, the scientists opted to spend a snowstorm night in a nearby chalet out of concern for the structure’s stability. The operation piqued the curiosity of passersby, including a biology teacher from Anglo-Spanish origin, who found the experience intriguing.
The habitat, named Eurohab, is designed to autonomously land from a rocket without anyone on board. Beyond selling it to space agencies, the goal is to provide housing as a “service” comparable to SpaceX’s transport service for NASA. The Eurohab project, developed under the CNES Tech The Moon program and supported by the European Space Agency, was presented at the National Assembly courtyard this summer.
Conceived in Marseille three years ago, the habitat’s purpose is twofold: facilitating scientific experiments in extreme conditions, such as those found in Iceland or Greenland, and training astronauts to use specific equipment. Peter Weiss envisions a European or French contribution to NASA’s Artemis missions, anticipating that Europe can play a significant role as the United States and China plan lunar missions in the coming years.
While the current project remains a model, tested outside laboratory confines for the first time, the ambitious goal is to see this habitat actively participating in Moon missions by the year 2030.
