The EDF group and CNES formalized their cooperation and the association of their respective skills around the design of a connected lunar habitat.
As part of the future of manned space exploration, the EDF group and the National Center for Space Studies (CNES) announced on Tuesday 15 November that they have entered into mutual cooperation to design a connected lunar habitat that would be low in energy and data, but also autonomous and resilient. The goal is to develop technologies adapted to space environments, but also terrestrial ones.
Energy and digital management work on a lunar habitat started this year
This collaboration between a major player in the energy sector and a public institution that designs and puts satellites into orbit is only a first step. The two entities intend to infuse the project with a spirit of convergence of their respective sectors. CNES will thus put its innovations in space exploration to good use, when EDF will use its capacities to control energy equipment in connected housing.
For this year 2022, CNES and EDF had decided to focus on the construction of a joint work program. From now on, the two partners have started work on the energy and digital management of a lunar habitat. On the menu: issues such as air quality, maintenance in operational condition and others. All this while making their test resources available.
Build a habitat adapted to the constraints of space
Next year, topics for potential cooperation between CNES and EDF’s research and development department will be studied. The idea will then be to broaden the collaboration and launch the next phase of the project.
” Working alongside CNES to offer a “refuge and secure” lunar habitat to explorers on our satellite is a source of inspiration and an ambition of excellence for EDF researchers. Working in a situation of extreme constraint makes it possible to reinvent services related to housing and the protection of its occupants “, commented the scientific director of R&D of the EDF group, Étienne Brière.
CNES was looking for a partner who could symbolize French industrial and scientific excellence. The center wants to put all the chances on its side to design and build a whole new type of connected habitat adapted to the (obvious) constraints of the space. And why not consider, in the long term, a conquest of the Moon that makes you dream.
” This first step is the starting point of an adventure for the benefit of French space science and the citizen “, reacted François Alter, adviser to the CEO of CNES, about this cooperation of which we hope to have news very soon.
Source: Press release
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