Tim Peake Backs Rosemary Coogan as First Brit on the Moon by Mid-2030s

Veteran British astronaut Tim Peake believes Dr. Rosemary Coogan has the strongest potential to become the first British person to walk on the moon, possibly by the mid-2030s. While NASA's Artemis IV mission in 2029 is expected to be all-American, Peake suggests a British astronaut could follow within a decade.

Peake highlighted Coogan, a career astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA), as a prime candidate. He stated, "I'd like to think that we've got a really good chance of seeing a Brit on the moon by the mid-2030s." He added that if Coogan completes a six-month mission on the International Space Station (ISS) around 2030, she would be well-prepared for a lunar mission in 2035.

Dr. Coogan, 35, earned a doctorate in astronomy from the University of Sussex before joining the French space agency CNES. She was selected as an ESA astronaut candidate in November 2022 and certified in April 2024, making her part of the qualified astronaut pool for potential ISS missions. Peake expressed confidence that she will secure a long-duration mission aboard the ISS before its planned retirement.

Peake also mentioned John McFall, the world's first para-astronaut, as another potential candidate. McFall, an NHS surgeon and Paralympian, is slated to potentially fly to the Axiom Space station in 2027, following a UK Space Agency agreement. However, it remains uncertain if NASA would consider a para-astronaut for its lunar landing missions.

NASA's Artemis program aims for increased lunar activity, with plans for a permanent moon base by 2032. This phase involves significant cargo delivery and routine crew rotations, similar to the ISS. Peake noted that the development of reusable rocket technology, such as SpaceX's Falcon series, has drastically reduced the cost of space travel, making such ambitious missions more feasible. The cost per kilogram to reach space has fallen from approximately $57,000 to $1,500, with future projections aiming for $200 per kilogram.

NASA plans to invest $20 billion in establishing a moon base by 2032, designed to house rotating crews for extended durations. Between 2029 and 2032, the agency anticipates delivering around 60 tons of cargo through multiple landings. This increased launch cadence is expected to make lunar trips more routine by the time British astronauts are ready to participate.

Peake, who previously completed a six-month mission on the ISS, acknowledged the unique psychological challenges of extended lunar stays. "The Moon is a good stepping stone to Mars," he commented, noting the increased sense of remoteness and isolation compared to the ISS. He believes this will require a significant level of psychological resilience for future astronauts.

Historically, 12 individuals, all American men, have walked on the moon between 1969 and 1972 during NASA's Apollo missions. The Artemis program aims to return humans to the lunar surface and establish a sustained presence, with potential international partnerships playing a key role.