Are We Going to Live on the Moon Soon

People have not set foot on the moon in several decades, but the situation is soon to change. NASA's Artemis program is planning to send a few missions to Earth's natural satellite. The first astronauts may step on the surface of the moon as early as 2025, as part of Artemis 3, if the current schedule holds. Following this, the next stage will commence, which will be an even more ambitious project than sending humans to the moon again. NASA aims to construct a large base camp at the South Pole of our satellite. This outpost will assist the Artemis mission in surpassing the previous record for the longest stay on the moon, which currently stands at 74 hours, 59 minutes, and 38 seconds. Additionally, the camp will serve as a launching point for missions venturing into deep space. Initially, the camp will be small, accommodating missions for a week or two.

However, it is expected to expand in size and complexity, eventually sustaining crews for several months at a time. There are plans to include an open-top rover, similar to the one used in the Apollo missions, as well as an RV, to provide mobility for astronauts while they reside and work at the camp. With each new trip, the level of comfort for space explorers will improve. Specialists are currently developing technologies that will facilitate work on the moon, far away from home. Building such a camp is also seen as a preparation for the challenging step of human exploration of Mars. To ensure the camp functions effectively, it is crucial to locate and extract resources from the moon's rocks and dust. These resources may include water ice, metals, oxygen, and building materials. Utilizing these resources will help reduce the reliance on supplies delivered to the moon and potentially enable astronauts to stay for longer durations. The lunar South Pole is chosen for two significant reasons.

Firstly, building the base camp there will provide astronauts with periods of continuous sunlight. The moon's tilt allows for this advantage at its South Pole. Experiences of up to 2 months of continuous light every year occur when the sun is constantly circling above the horizon. This abundant sunlight provides the camp with ample solar power. Currently, NASA is working on designing a solar array that can remain more than 30 ft in the air. This design will maximize the utilization of available sunlight.

The second reason for selecting this location is the presence of deep craters that have remained in darkness for billions of years. Due to the moon's peculiar tilt, some of these craters have not been exposed to sunlight since their formation. These craters, also known as permanently shadowed regions, have provided scientists with evidence of water ice. If we are able to access this frozen water and discover a significant amount, it would be extremely valuable for the inhabitants of the base camp. Additionally, it could potentially supply flights back to Earth or even further to Mars. The quantity of water in this region and its purity is still unknown, but NASA is determined to find out. One method they will employ is the use of Viper, a mobile robot expected to arrive at the lunar South Pole in 2024.

In 2025, the lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) is scheduled to arrive on a mission. Astronauts will have the ability to operate the LTV remotely, allowing it to navigate and avoid hazards such as rocks and craters independently. Astronauts will explore their surroundings from the safety of the Lander during earlier missions, and later from the base camp itself. The LTV will also be utilized by NASA to conduct scientific research and mission-related work, even during periods when there are no humans on the moon. Its role in searching for water ice and other resources is crucial. Although the remote-controlled capabilities of the LTV are innovative, its design will remain largely unchanged, resembling previous rovers. If astronauts choose to drive the vehicle with its top open, they will need to wear their space suits, which can be uncomfortable.

Dawning a comfortable suit can be a time-consuming process, often taking hours. Additionally, the duration of missions is contingent upon the amount of oxygen remaining in each astronaut's space suit. To address this issue, NASA has developed the habitable Mobility platform, an RV-like concept. If successful, this platform will feature a pressurized interior and life support systems, allowing passengers to travel without the need for space suits. This advancement will undoubtedly simplify the lives of astronauts. While the final design of the vehicle is still in progress, the primary objective is to accommodate multiple individuals for a period of up to two weeks.

Moving on to the future lunar cabin, its design has yet to be finalized. However, NASA is exploring the use of modular and inflatable structures. These structures offer the advantage of creating larger living spaces while remaining compact and lightweight, facilitating transportation to the moon. Another intriguing possibility is the utilization of a large-scale 3D printer that can utilize lunar soil and rock as raw materials. Such a machine could potentially construct dwellings from scratch, producing bricks and other shapes.

Currently, a prototype 3D printer in Houston is constructing a test structure. Furthermore, the first lunar towns could potentially be built within craters. These towns may be covered with protective materials, such as plastic reinforced with a net made of titanium and UV-resistant super fiber. Access to these homes would be through airlock entrances dug into a mount. The aesthetics of these structures would surely be appreciated, reminiscent of Bilbo Baggins' abode.

It is important to note that the moon's gravity is significantly weaker than that of our home planet. While this reduced gravity allows astronauts to move more easily on the lunar surface, it poses long-term challenges. To address this, an artificial gravitational field may be implemented within the lunar base. Without this field, individuals would experience difficulties with coordination, balance, and orientation in space. Additionally, weight-bearing bones would experience a loss of mineral density ranging from 1 to 5% per month, as observed by a geologist from the University.