Scientists are convinced that mankind is able to transform the moon in a space Outpost: people spaceports, rockets, heavy media, spacecraft and lunar Rovers. The satellite shows what is behind the human desire to conquer space and the colonizers of the issues that may arise on the way.
A New Moon Race?
The idea of colonizing the moon was quite popular during the cold war. But in the mid 1970-ies such projects in the USSR and the US were suspended, as the journey to the satellite was very expensive and does not pursue any specific goal.
But half a century later, the dream to live on the moon captured the humanity once again.
Perhaps this is due to the high technological level of civilization, which should really ambitious goals, and prospects for the development of private space exploration, journalist and scientific observer Tatyana Pichugina wrote in a satellite.
According to her, in the Arsenal of the space industry in the world is all that is necessary for the conquest of the moon. What is missing, clearly defined objectives.
How can we use the moon?
Many scientists believe that the expansion of space is a logical step towards further development of mankind.
Sooner or later the Earth will become too “crowded” and will be needed for a staging area on the moon where it would be possible to go to Mars and other planets of the Solar system.
Colonization of the moon also give people the opportunity to extract valuable minerals. Special hopes are connected with the helium-3 used in neutron counters.
There is very little helium-3 available on Earth, but quite a lot on the moon. Therefore, a number of governments have already announced their willingness to go to a satellite to produce helium-3 as a fuel source.
The possibility of transferring energy-intensive industries on the moon in order to reduce industrial emissions on Earth in the distant future have also been voiced by a number of researchers.
What problems do we meet?
There is no atmosphere, no magnetic field on the moon. Its surface is constantly bombarded with micrometeorites, while temperature changes during the day can reach two hundred degrees Celsius.
People can work there only in the costumes and in a sealed lunar Rovers, or in-patient residential unit with a full life support system.
Typically, the whole process of construction should also be based on a completely different and advanced technology: the use of inflatable modules, produces a building elements on a 3D printer, the creation of composite materials from lunar regolith using laser sintering.
Thus, there are many things that scientists have yet to put any actual effort of colonization will take place.
Specific Projects
The moon-orbiting space station is a logical step towards colonization of the moon.
The US, Russia and China have already announced the implementation of the relevant project by 2025-2030.
In particular, the United States and Russia have agreed about creation of joint space station called deep Space gateway. The project may join China, India and some countries of the BRICS.
The technical details are expected to be presented this year. Construction work in orbit must begin in 2024.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
