Germany Plans a Moon Mission

Germany plans an unmanned flight to the moon by 2013. The aim is to put a probe into orbit around the moon to chart the entire surface and provide indications of significant geological formations that could later be of interest for drilling. In addition, the probe will also investigate the moon's magnetic fields, look for water and analyse the minerals on its surface. Currently, the US is developing a spacecraft for manned light to the moon in order to build an astronaut station as a staging point for missions to Mars. With Germany increasing it's technology, it may be possible that Germany will become involved with this at a later date.