Post by glactus on Aug 1, 2011 1:05:45 GMT
Setting up the base
In his address to NASA employees in Florida, President Obama stated that we are not going back to the Moon. "why go back over old things" he said, and he has a point. But will the private sector go back there? Now that is a big question. Maybe they will when Earth resources of construction metals runs low.
Landing site
NASA's Apollo missions of the last century found that Lunar surface soils are comprised of about 20 percent metals including ion and aluminum, and 20 percent silicon (which is needed for making solar power cells). Much of the rest of lunar soil is composed of oxygen.
Miner's habitat
The needs of 12 workers can be met by a 16-meter diameter inflatable habitat with facilities for exercise, operations control, clean up, lab work, hydroponic gardening, a wardroom, private crew quarters, dust removing devices for Lunar surface work, an airlock and lunar rover and landing vehicles.
Lunar mining site
Apart from mining potential that the Moon has to offer, it will prove to be an important tourist destination, and seeing it is so close, the Lunar surface may one day be the hub for "The Moon people", for a civilization may be firmly established there by the end of this century.
Looking at the Moon
Credits: These are NASA/JPL images
Text by Wikipedia/Glactus
Telescope in avatar: Meade 16"LX 200 with equatorial pier
Astronomer in avatar: Glactus