Moon by 2028
A chance for permanent base on the Moon, how likely is it to happen ?
A look at current ESA and NASA’s plans for the Moon.
Everyone wants to go to Mars, Elon Musk, NASA, ESA, SpaceX. The Russians, the Chinese and even India has plans for Mars. All this sudden interest for Mars has shifted focus from our nearest planetary neighbour, our own Moon.
Can the Moon be ever considered great place to start a next human colony? Especially considering the fact the Moon has no atmosphere to speak off and solar radiation would cause serious harm to would be colonist over long time exposure, not to mention low surface gravity of only 16% comes with additional medical side-effects.
However Moon is nearest planetary body to our own Earth, barely 385000km away and it is mineral rich.
A NASA and ESA study in to permanent base on the Moon concluded such base is possible and relatively affordable, with a permanent presence possible as early as 2024, no later than 2028.
As NASA is developing SLS and Orion Space Vehicle for future Mars mission, Same vehicles could easily support future Moon base at the fraction of the cost. In fact 2008 study concluded it would cost NASA around $12-15 billion to establish a permanent base on the Moon for up to 20 individuals.
However, ESA’s plans for the moon are impressive to say the least. ESA plans a whole settlement The Moon Village for scientist, engineers and visitors who will study the Moon and for first human settlement on another world.
The entire Moon Village will be 3D printed using 3D printing robots, process that will last 3-4 months for each habitat.
Entire Village could be up and running in matter of 2-3 years, complexly self-sufficient even before a single human has set a foot on the moon.
Entire settlement can be constructed using local resources, Moon’s regolith will form anti-radiation barrier and ensuring inhabitants of the Moon Village are well protected from the elements.
Current ESA’s budget of $5.75bn is fraction of NASA’s budget, however sufficient to cover the cost of future Moon Village, estimated to cost in the region of $12 bn.
In final analysis Moon seems most logical first step for Humanity to set a foot on another world, I only wonder why aren’t we already there !????
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