Washington [US], May 28: US space agency NASA has unveiled far-reaching plans for its first moon base that could see people living and working on the lunar surface within six years.
Located at the satellite's south pole, the outpost, which eventually may have sites spread out over hundreds of square kilometres, will be established in a phased approach, which builds capability over time.
The pioneering development is designed to help unlock new scientific discoveries and develop the technologies needed for future deep space missions, including to Mars.
The move follows the record-breaking flyby of the moon by the Artemis II crew in April, which marked a crucial stepping stone towards a future landing.
The first stage towards building a base between now and 2029, will see robotic missions scout the lunar region, test technologies and prepare for surface operations.
This includes plans to deploy drones to help explore and map the challenging terrain as well as remote and crewed lunar vehicles, designed to carry out tasks in the demanding environment.
It will also provide the opportunity to demonstrate commercial lunar landing capabilities and the delivery of payloads needed for the future development of the base.
Under the proposed blueprint, from 2029-32 it is planned to provide early habitation and create a semi-permanent infrastructure.
This would include testing out technologies that could pave the way for future nuclear power systems for use on the lunar surface.
It would also see the use of pressurised rover vehicles, that would enable astronauts to operate in shirt sleeves for up to 30 days while carrying out experiments.
In the third and final phase from 2032, it is planned to have a continual human presence on the moon with routine crew rotations.
This would include larger habitation modules with expanded environmental control, power, and life support capabilities, and large-scale uncrewed cargo return capabilities from the lunar surface to Earth.
The three stages will involve multiple launches and landings.
The lunar South Pole was chosen as the location for the base as it is considered one of the most strategically and scientifically important regions on the moon, and well suited for long-term human exploration.
Unlike many parts of the moon that experience long periods of darkness followed by long periods of daylight, the area receives extended sunlight and shorter periods of shadow.
These lighting conditions provide for more consistent solar power generation and stable temperatures for exploration systems and surface operations.
Unveiling the plans, NASA chief Jared Isaacman said the public were excited about a moon base and the "grand return" to the lunar surface.
He said: "It means people are looking up again, believing in big things again, and paying attention as America returns to the moon again, and this time to stay." Isaacman added: "We are leveraging the Nasa playbook from the 1960s figuring out what works and what doesn't in this epic science of survival. Because the moon base is as beautiful as it is hostile."
He pointed out that, in sunlight, the moon's surface could heat to more than 121 degrees Celsius, while in darkness it could fall well below minus 128 degrees.
In permanently shaded craters, untouched by sunlight for perhaps billions of years, temperatures can fall well below minus 240 degrees.
Isaacman said: "There is no atmosphere to moderate these extremes, no protection from radiation and solar particle events and the surface is exposed to meteorite impacts."
Source: Qatar Tribune
