The inaugural International Moon Village Workshop, held from November 19 to 21, 2017, at the International Space University (ISU) campus in Strasbourg, France, marked a significant milestone in the global pursuit of lunar exploration and development. Organized collaboratively by the Moon Village Association (MVA) and ISU, the workshop convened over 150 experts, engineers, educators, and students from more than a dozen countries, all united by a shared vision of establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon. ([moonvillageassociation.org](

Genesis of the Moon Village Concept

The Moon Village concept was introduced by European Space Agency (ESA) Director General Dr. Johann-Dietrich Wörner in 2016. He envisioned it as a global initiative that transcends national boundaries, aiming to create a permanent human settlement on the Moon. This vision seeks to foster international collaboration and commercial engagement in lunar activities, encompassing scientific research, industrial ventures, and cultural exchanges. ([esa.int](

Workshop Objectives and Structure

The primary objective of the 2017 workshop was to lay the groundwork for the Moon Village by addressing various facets of its potential realization. The event featured:

  • Plenary Sessions: Presentations from leading figures in the space industry, including Dr. Johann-Dietrich Wörner (ESA), Tom Cremins (NASA), Shizuo Yamamoto (JAXA), Silvio Sandrone (Airbus Defense and Space), Michel Tognini (Association of Space Explorers Europe), and Dave Murrow (Lockheed Martin). These sessions provided insights into current lunar missions and future plans. ([moonvillageassociation.org](
  • Working Groups: Eighteen focused sessions where participants delved into topics such as the technical framework of the Moon Village, prospective government missions, commercial markets for lunar activities, coordination and cooperation strategies, and the cultural implications of lunar expansion. ([moonvillageassociation.org](

Key Outcomes and Consensus

The workshop culminated in a consensus that the Moon Village concept holds immense potential to unify and communicate the emerging focus on lunar exploration and development. Participants agreed that the Moon Village is not a singular location or traditional space project but a broadly defined conceptual framework encompassing a diverse suite of planned and potential future human activities in space. This includes scientific research, commercial ventures, and profound cultural developments. ([moonvillageassociation.org](

Global Participation and Representation

The workshop attracted a diverse array of participants from over a dozen countries, including Austria, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Russia, South Korea, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United States. Represented organizations spanned governmental space agencies, private industry leaders, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations, reflecting the global interest and collaborative spirit driving the Moon Village initiative. ([moonvillageassociation.org](

Significance and Future Prospects

The success of the inaugural International Moon Village Workshop underscored the viability and appeal of the Moon Village concept as a unifying framework for lunar exploration and development. The event not only facilitated the exchange of ideas and strategies among stakeholders but also set the stage for subsequent workshops and symposia aimed at advancing the initiative. The MVA, in collaboration with ISU and other partners, has since organized additional workshops and symposiums to further refine the Moon Village concept and promote its implementation. ([moonvillageassociation.org](

In conclusion, the 2017 workshop was a pivotal event that galvanized international collaboration and set a clear trajectory toward establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon. The ongoing efforts of the MVA and its partners continue to build upon the foundation laid during this seminal event, striving to turn the Moon Village vision into a reality for future generations.

Sources

  • Moon Village Association — Successful First International Moon Village Workshop at ISU —
  • European Space Agency — Moon Village —
  • Moon Village Association — Press Release – 3rd International Moon Village Workshop & Symposium —