When scientists discover new potential water sources, could we establish “colonies” on the Moon within a decade?
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has stated that humans will live and work on the Moon within the next 10 years, according to the Telegraph. Many questions arise, such as where humans will reside on the Moon and what their “homes” will look like…
Where Will the Settlements Be Located on the Moon?
The Moon has a day or night cycle lasting over 2 weeks compared to Earth. Therefore, the most likely areas for human settlement are near the poles, where sunlight is nearly perpetual. Moreover, the temperature variations between the poles are much less severe than those at the equator.
Similar to Earth, moon settlements will also need to provide energy and food – (Photo: TELEGRAPH)
Significant water deposits have been discovered at the poles. Additionally, Chinese scientists have recently reported that water is contained within the glass beads found on the Moon’s surface.
Once the location is chosen, human habitation could take one of two forms: subsurface in lava tubes built underground or on the Moon’s surface. Alternatively, a mixed settlement could be constructed both above and below the Moon’s surface.
Underground, humans could avoid meteoroids and solar radiation, which is about 200 times stronger than that on Earth. However, on the surface, humans would have easier access and mobility, not to mention a more comfortable mental state being “outside.”
Regarding building materials, structures on the Moon could be made using 3D printing technology, utilizing regolith—the Moon’s dust—as the primary material: it contains aluminum, silicon, iron, calcium, magnesium, and titanium.
As for food? Initially, it will have to be brought from Earth, but eventually, there will be hydroponic crops and artificial food production.
Who Will Govern the Moon?
This project may sound like a Hollywood movie, but there are currently 6 space agencies with ambitions to reach the Moon: NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), Russia, China, Japan, and India, along with billionaires Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.
Legally, the Moon is currently under the jurisdiction of the Outer Space Treaty of 1966, which states that outer space “is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty” and will “be free for exploration and use by all countries.”
This treaty will clearly need to be renegotiated and significantly expanded to balance the needs of wealthy and powerful individuals with those of entire nations.
What About Human Health and Psychology?
Additionally, each person will have to deal with the significant physical and psychological consequences of living on the Moon—where gravity is 1/6th that of Earth and over 400,000 km away.
Most health and psychological effects are still unknown. For example, our bodies have evolved under Earth’s gravity for tens of thousands of years: how will our musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems adapt to much lighter forces?
Furthermore, with Earth always appearing as a distant giant alongside the Moon, how will individuals feel when looking back at their home planet? Psychologists have warned that astraphobia—the fear of space itself—could be a concern in the future. Loneliness will certainly be an immediate worry.
With so many complex factors, the idea of establishing colonies on the Moon still seems far-fetched.
