The European Space Agency or ESA has plans to build a permanent base on the moon. The Space Station already permanently orbits the earth. The ESA says it would like a permanent moon village to be in working order in 20 years.

Johann Worner is the director general of the ESA. He says the name "moon village" was chosen to help the public understand the purpose of the project. The official says the village will bring together people with a mix of skills and knowledge.

He says building a permanent base on the moon is a test for a visit to Mars. The American space agency, NASA, is working to send humans to Mars in the late 2030s. Countries with existing or developing space programs are expected to take part in the moon village. This would include the United States, Russia, China and India.

Worner says the village would be used for scientific experiments, mining and even holiday travel. The ESA says a lot could be learned from areas on the moon that have not yet been explored. And, the moon holds information about the environment where life in our solar system began 4 billion years ago.

Worner says the moon's own minerals and other resources would be used to build and support the base.

It has been more than 50 years since humans visited Earth's only natural satellite. Apollo 17 commander Gene Cernan became the last man to walk on the moon on December 14, 1972.