How relevant and realistic is the colonization of the Moon for humanity?

Some readers seriously consider the cases of Americans on the Moon as the result of the implementation of some Hollywood project, and this is their right. Others suggest creating a separate “Science Fiction” section for the topic of prospects for the development of the space industry. And yet, I decided to write this material, based on an analysis of trends in the exploration of the Moon, placing it in this section. Because what is already being realized cannot be fantasy.

Why is the Moon needed?

Soon, humanity will need a reliable extraterrestrial base for multi-purpose space exploration, especially long-distance space exploration. It is well known that the absence of an atmosphere and weak gravity are favorable conditions for the assembly and launch of super-powerful spacecraft. In addition, the mentioned phenomenon will help create on the Moon ultra-strong structural materials that are unavailable under terrestrial conditions - composites of foamed metals. Technology transforms the molecular structure of the substance, which gives it additional beneficial properties.



It is planned to organize the necessary infrastructure on the natural satellite of the Earth, and on its reverse side, for obvious reasons, to place research laboratories with telescopes. There is also a plan to build enterprises for the extraction and processing of natural resources, in particular, water contained at the poles in dirty ice and regolith. It will also be needed to obtain breathing oxygen, as well as fuel hydrogen. In addition, the lunar soil contains relatively easily extractable helium-3, and the rocks contain rare earth metals and unique minerals.

But this is in the future, but for now scientists are more interested in the polar regions (especially the Shackleton crater at the South Pole). The plain on them is constantly illuminated by the Sun, so it is rational to place solar generators here. And at the bottom of the dark crater there are explored deposits of ice, protected from evaporation by the rocks of its walls. The temperature there does not rise above -173^оC, so the crater is the best place to place the sensors of an infrared telescope. On Earth, due to specific conditions, they are installed high in the mountains, but even there the sensors do not achieve the effect of ideal sensitivity. On the moon they reach.

Everything is getting cheaper and cheaper...

Currently, putting a disposable spacecraft into orbit and returning home costs an average of $62 million. If you need to deliver a heavy load into near-Earth space with a super-powerful launch vehicle, it will cost $90-110 million. Although SpaceX is already starting to talk about $20 million, which is understandable, since the Falcon 9 upper stage is suitable for secondary use.

But a flight to the moon is much more expensive. NASA will allocate $2025 billion for the implementation of the Artemis megaproject by 95. And the estimate for the construction of a lunar base equipped with everything necessary corresponds to a number with ten zeros. For a week-long stay on the Moon, 4 astronauts will have to allocate $700 million.

The ambitious Artemis lunar exploration mission involves the use of modern technologies and structures such as cryogenic engines, laser communications, miniature nuclear reactors, latest generation solar panels, habitable modules, 3D printers for printing large objects, jetpacks, rovers.

Lunar miracle accessories

Engineers from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California tested 3 lunar rovers in the form of 4-wheeled platforms. These small rovers are powered by artificial intelligence. Each of them is powered by solar energy, and among the on-board equipment are two stereo cameras with image transmitters, and a location radar for creating a 3D map of the lunar route. The devices can exchange information and also send it to the base station in the lander.

Especially for the upcoming mission for NASA astronauts, the Texas company Axiom Space invented more advanced spacesuits of the AxEMU series. They are wear-resistant and at the same time elastic, and the style is stylish and even elegant. New space clothing protects against hard rays and temperature changes in the range -170 – 120^оC, as well as from micrometeorites.

But that is not all. They are equipped with sensor instruments, avionics systems, video equipment, communications and life support equipment. These are multifunctional products with wide capabilities for various manipulations in space. Finally, astronauts will use special tools designed for work on the Moon.

You provide comfortable lunar housing!

The first architectural structures on the Earth's natural satellite are planned to be made similar to the cylindrical modules of the ISS. They were designed by ESA together with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, famous for their specialists who invented the tallest building in the world - the Dubai skyscraper Burj Khalifa.

The creators settled on a vertical 3-story, 9-meter version. In the center of the structure there is a technological well for stairs. Each level is designed for 3 separate rooms. To protect against cosmic radiation, the housing will be covered with regolith.

3D printers will sculpt a building monolith from the same material. Commissioned by NASA, Florida-based Redwire has discovered a method for creating modified regolith for landing sites, roads, building foundations and other infrastructure.

First steps of colonization

There is not long to wait: Elon Musk, as we are convinced, is a very quick guy. In no more than 5 years, Falcon Heavy launch vehicles from SpaceX will rush the blocks of the Lunar Gateway station to the Moon. The habitable module is already being developed by Northrop Grumman Space Systems from the USA, the service unit is being created by ESA with the involvement of mainly Canadian and Japanese scientists.

Mounted in lunar orbit, the Lunar Gateway will receive future colonists transiting in the Orion spacecraft. Before landing on the moon, they will replenish supplies at the station, conduct experiments, rest, etc. Subsequently, a robotic space tug will dock with the Lunar Gateway, which will shuttle autonomously between the station and low-Earth orbit, delivering cargo containers.

By the way, there is an opinion that on the Moon, in the event of a possible catastrophe on a planetary scale, it is worth setting up a museum of earthly civilization. It is proposed to store historical archives with texts and images on electronic media.