2024-04-12 13:54:27
So far only Americans have been on the moon. “Astro Alex” from Germany has big plans – but another nationality seems to have priority.
Washington wants a Japanese man to become the first person on the moon without a US passport. “Two Japanese astronauts will join future American missions,” US President Joe Biden announced after talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House in the US capital Washington. “One of them will be the first non-American to ever land on the moon.”
So far, only American astronauts have set foot on the moon; a total of twelve US astronauts flew there on the “Apollo” missions between 1969 and 1972. However, the US space agency NASA had to postpone the manned lunar orbit “Artemis 2”, which was actually planned for November 2024, to September 2025, and the planned manned lunar landing “Artemis 3” to September 2026. There is competitive pressure from China, which will put people on the moon by 2030 want to bring.
German astronaut also wants to go to the moon
The German astronaut Alexander Gerst (called “Astro Alex”) also dreams of taking part in a moon mission. Last month he said he would like to take photos on the moon. The astronaut is therefore a possible candidate for the missions mentioned.
Gerst said it was pleasing that, in addition to American, Japanese and Canadian astronauts, Europeans were also there. “If we Europeans also make further contributions, then it is almost certain that we will ultimately be there on the surface too.” If US President Biden has his way, Gerst will not be the first person on the moon without an American passport.