Europe wants to mine the moon by 2025: ESA reveals plan that could spark a new space race

Plans for a European base on the moon have taken a major step forward. The European Space Agency revealed it has signed up rocket maker ArianeGroup to develop plans for a moon base that could be used to mine material from the lunar surface. The project will'examine the possibility of going to the Moon before 2025 and starting to work there' - and could trigger a new space race as countries rush to harness lunar resources. The European Space Agency revealed it has signed up rocket maker ArianeGroup to develop plans for a moon base that could be used to mine material from the lunar surface. The project will'examine the possibility of going to the Moon before 2025 and starting to work there'.