Using house building service on the moon is not a new concept. Several space agencies are attempting to build a crewed base on the moon. However, the timeline for achieving this goal is still uncertain. Among the problems that are preventing the building of a lunar base are cost and a lack of expertise in designing a habitat.
Space agencies are reluctant to predict a timeline for a crewed Moon base
Despite the recent hype about the prospect of a human return to the Moon, space agencies are still hesitant to make a concrete timeline for a human lunar base. But there are signs that preparations for the future of human exploration are well under way.
The US has announced plans to request billions of dollars in support of future lunar missions over the next five years. Meanwhile, the European Space Agency has been preparing for a semi-permanent lunar base. And Russia has one probe scheduled for the next five years. The US has also been requesting companies to develop technology for landers.
Exploring cliffs, canyons, caves and lava tubes to protect living quarters
Using lasers, teams of robots deployed from a surface rover could communicate with a central rover, and map out a network of lava tubes. This would enable humans to live in and maintain infrastructure on the lunar surface. These devices would also be able to survive underground for long periods of time.
Researchers in the field of paleontology have found that a number of subsurface voids on the moon are thought to be lava tubes. These channels are created by ancient volcanic activity, but are not understood fully by scientists.
These tunnels were formed when fast moving lava flows formed a hard outer crust. This then eroded to form caves and canyons. The deepest canyons lie beneath the ocean, while other voids are inferred to be remnants of lava tubes.
Adapting the human body to the conditions of a long stay in weightlessness
Adapting the human body to the conditions of a long stay in weightlessness is no small feat. NASA is conducting years of research and development to find ways to maximize the health benefits of space travel. The results will not only inform the future of deep space missions, they will also offer insight into how to make the transition back to Earth as smooth as possible.
Although a lengthy stay in space is out of the question for most, a short flight on a small commercial airline can give you a taste of the wonders of weightlessness. In this environment, the most important organs of the human body are left free to do their thing, and the body has no weight to contend with. As a result, they may be able to perform their duties with more agility and efficiency.
Solar panels are cheap, light, reliable and safe
Several decades ago, the concept of capturing solar power in space was gaining momentum. At the time, oil prices were high, and scientists were trying to find an alternative energy source.
Now, with climate change on the rise, the idea of space-based solar power is gaining even more traction. With a little technological advancement, the idea of launching solar panels into orbit may become a reality within a few decades.
An international team would build a small-scale array, launch it into low Earth orbit, and beam power anywhere in the world. In turn, this technology could provide reliable, clean energy to remote communities.
3D printing can revolutionize the process of developing our natural satellite
Using a 3D printer to construct a permanent human dwelling on the moon is the stuff of dreams. The cost of sending a single kilogram of payload to the Moon can easily reach six figures. While there is no guarantee that a manned mission to the Moon will actually take place in the not too distant future, a rover capable of making a lunar landing is not out of the question.
The cheapest way to get there and back is not a bad proposition. And the small moon isn't the only target. Although the lunar surface is largely unexplored, the surface of Mars is littered with rocks and boulders that are too large to be classified as planets.
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