Colonization of the inner Solar System ESA "Moon Village" concepts. Colonization of the inner Solar System Bodies in the inner Solar System have been considered for terraforming and space colonization. The main candidates for colonization in the inner Solar System are Mars and Venus. Other possible candidates for colonization include the Moon and even Mercury. The short distance between the Earth and the Moon makes it a natural expansion after Earth. A number of government space agencies have periodically floated lunar plans such as Russia (2014), China (2012) and the US have made plans in constructing the first lunar outpost. The European Space Agency (ESA) head
Venus Atmospheric Maneuverable Platform of a lenticular shape which would significantly simplify packing, deployment sequence and structural mass, but it would not cruise so efficiently. The vehicle concept was also presented in May 2017 as a proof-of-concept for exploration of other planets and moons of the Solar System with an atmosphere. The 2013 preliminary concept envisions a suite of instruments NASA calls the 'Venus Flagship Design Reference Mission' for a balloon. Its mass is estimated at 20 kg and would require 50 W of electrical power to operate. The notional intuments consist on: There are ongoing discussions about possible NASA participation in Russia's Venera-D