Humans could be living on the Moon within 20 years, says a leading lunar scientist.
According to Bernard Foing of the European Space Agency, the technology will soon exist to set up an outpost for visiting astronauts.
However, political will is needed to inspire the public to support the initiative.
"We believe that technologically it's possible," the project scientist on Europe's first Moon mission, Smart-1, told BBC News Online.
"But it will depend in the end on the political will to go and establish a human base for preparing for colonisation of the Moon or to be used as a refuge for the human species."
Ion drive
The unmanned Smart-1 craft, which is due to be launched in early September, is flying to the Moon to demonstrate that Europe has the technology for future deep space science missions.
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