Colonization of the Moon

Under a moon colonization, the creation and development of colonies (Latin colonia: settlement ) is understood on the moon. In addition to numerous programs for the exploration of the moon, there are currently no efforts that provide for colonization by humans.

• 2.2.1 Natural environment
• 2.2.2 Human-induced environmental conditions

• 3.1 The polar regions
• 3.2 The equatorial regions
• 3.3 The back

• 4.1 Residential Complex
• 4.2 Energy 4.2.1 solar
• 4.2.2 nuclear

• 5.1 For the surface
• 5.2 On the surface
• 5.3 From the surface

History

For more than a century people think about travel to the moon and the problems that are associated with it. With the beginning of the space age and the appearance of the first missiles fell also the possibility of colonization of the moon in the field of view of science fiction authors and scientists. Among the well-known sci-fi authors include Jules Verne, Arthur C. Clarke and many more to scientists Hermann Oberth, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky.

With the novel From the Earth to the Moon (1865 ) described Jules Verne, how wants to use a private organization, the fictional Baltimore Gun Club, a club of artillery experts, a huge cannon as a space drive around with a cannon ball (in the form of a projectile ) a perform moon trip. The follow-up novel Journey to the Moon (1870 ) then describes the journey to the moon and return to Earth, only a circling of the moon took place. While in Jules Verne 's novels mainly the aspects of the trip to play a role, so life were represented on the moon in the subsequent novels and stories already. In the silent film Woman in the Moon (1929 ), which tells an expedition to the moon, the director was advised in technical aspects of Oberth. The novel by Clarke " To the power on the moon" is in a time in which the moon was inhabited by men. The year of publication of the novel in 1957, ie in the space moved at a time, within reach (see Sputnik ). As of this time, which is also referred to as the beginning of the space age, the number of fiction and scientific papers rose to 'live on the moon " significantly. With the Apollo program then the technical possibility of travel to the moon and a possible colonization was confirmed in 1969.

Process and benefits of a Moon colonization

The steps of colonization or a land grab can, for example, based on the historical observation of New Mexico, be subdivided into the following phases:

While the implementation of the first phase, due to the curiosity of the people and of the still low economic burden, is usually possible and is also performed first economic considerations are taken (cost-benefit ratio) in the second phase already. This second phase is in the true sense, the first step towards colonization and requires the provision of " Kolonisierungsarbeit ", ie costs for reclamation of about colonizing space. This compares with the yield, which is provided by the work force ( settlement ), where ( time-to- income provision ) must be made between short-term and long-term investments. With a given profitability of settlements ( economically and / or socially ), the third phase follows.

Starting point for the discussions concerning colonization of the moon is therefore the questions about the usefulness of such a base ( settlement ) and the opposite costs of more than 100 billion € ( comparison, the cost of the ISS).

Take advantage of a lunar colonization

For the benefit of a lunar colonization, there are some scientific papers whose contents are in part still very theoretical. Furthermore, based some of the published advantages and disadvantages of the existing environmental conditions. Some of these environmental conditions that could be used to advantage, such as the lack of atmosphere, but can also be regarded as a disadvantage. Furthermore, the general advantages and disadvantages of Weltraumkolonisierung play a role, as the Mondkolonisierung is part of the Weltraumkolonisierung. In the following, however, tried to show only the advantages and disadvantages of colonization of the moon, but this from the standpoint of " benefit".

Economic aspects

The rocket scientist Krafft Ehricke described the lunar economy as " Selenoconomy ". This economy would have on the one hand to generate the potential goods and services for their own location, or offering other locations, such as lunar, geostationary or low Earth orbit. The locational advantage of the moon is based inter alia on the lower gravity, so that the same product, such as fuel, transported with a much lower energy than at the start of the earth, to consumers, such as a space stations, can be. The following economic benefits could be offered:

• Products: Metals, minerals, fuel, oxygen, helium 3
• Services: construction and maintenance of various telescope systems, distribution of raw materials ( eg fuel, oxygen) in the near-Earth space

Political aspects

A Mondkolonisierung, even only the establishment of a lunar base, can now take place only through international cooperation, since the necessary capital can be raised by a single institution or a state hardly. If an individual state is still set this goal, the government has the high capital investment in exploration over the other state areas (security, social systems, ...) can be justified as a political system must take into account the different interests of the stakeholders. Thus, the exploration must be considered under the aspects of national security, prestige, foreign policy, scientific and economic relevance and usefulness to society.

The benefits of such an international cooperation can be seen from the construction and operation of the International Space Station. At the end of the Cold War, the U.S. government has decided to build the previously planned national Space Station "Freedom" in international cooperation. On the one hand, this had the purpose to minimize the cost risks of the project and to distribute to the other partners and the extensive use of the foreign policy relations with partners, including Russia, will be strengthened by such a project. Although the cost risks are reduced by allocation of the budget, the total cost increases by installation of appropriate interfaces and the increased coordination effort with the cooperation partners, about 30% of. The last aspect, the coordination of national economic and political interests among themselves, and the creation of an appropriate compensation is at the political level, therefore, one of the most important.

In addition, there are still some aspects of space law unsettled, see for example the Moon Treaty.

Scientific aspects

A scientific benefits of a Moon base or a lunar colonization can also be seen in developing technology for Weltraumkolonisierung in the areas of lunar science, Earth observation, exploration of the universe, however.

Although the moon, one next to the earth to one of the best studied celestial bodies, some questions are still open. In addition to the fact that the formation of the Earth- Moon system must not be considered as fully understood, areas were discovered on the lunar surface by recent space probes differ materially from the Apollo landing sites. In addition, the moon provides through its single-plate tectonics, an information archive with the help of additional insights can be generated in the planet formation.

Analogue of the satellites in earth or solar orbit can scientific instruments for Earth observation and exploration of the universe, also be installed on the lunar surface. By manned bases near, maintenance, or repair of these systems would then be possible.

A major scientific benefits could also lie in the technology being tested. In addition to the similarities between Mars and the Moon, and the development of technologies on the moon that could be used on a Mars mission, the question of the establishment of self-sufficient bases and the necessary equipment, and the use of local resources plays an important role.

Environmental conditions

One can distinguish between the natural and the ( future) human-induced environmental conditions.

Natural environmental conditions

The moon has no significant atmosphere, only one-sixth of the gravitational acceleration of the earth to the surface, occasionally local magnetic fields and locally different distributed resources. The lack of atmosphere and a pass for the operation of telescopic equipment on the moon or beneficial for the process method on vacuum technology. The available resources can be mined and used, the location of the mining plant on the lunar surface and the use of the existing material ( moon dust or rock formations ) plays a role.

Besides the constituents of the lunar dust are also its properties, such as particle size, specific gravity, porosity, compressibility, etc. for use on site of interest. These properties determine, for example, the behavior of the lunar dust in excavation or embankment, in particular the maximum steep slope of the hill is taken into account ( see friction angle). Furthermore, the liability can be determined (eg, interpretation of lunar vehicles ) plays a role for the navigability. The electrostatic and magnetic properties provide information about the transmission of radio signals or the behavior of the lunar dust. Thus, radio signals can penetrate moon dust up to about 10 m, so that a direct contact with the earth is not required (underground bases or bases with surface layers of lunar dust / rock ). On the other hand, the dust particles can be charged by solar radiation, which leads to the floating and migration behavior. These particles can build up on equipment then.

Human-induced environmental conditions

The moon with its history can be seen as a kind of " Archives of formation of the solar system." The lunar crust was formed in the early stage of development and changing, due to lack of volcanic activity, only by asteroid impacts. Furthermore, led Meteo Ride strikes to form the moon dust, so this includes their materials. By appropriate mining operations have destroyed such " archives ". In addition, colonies may raise through its activities, moon dust, which then deposit on equipment and telescope facilities in the immediate vicinity. Radio link to the base with the mission control can produce that for the operation of a radio telescope facility could be unfavorable background signal.

Future activities caused by human activities can have impacts on the environment to the sequence and must be taken into account in the planning.

Various possible colonization sites

A starting point for a lunar base should meet the following criteria:

• Good transport facilities
• Natural Resources
• Many scientifically relevant and erforschenswerte indirect objects in environment

The polar regions

The polar regions offer themselves for two main reasons as landing points at:

• There are points that almost continuous light exposure ( " mountains of eternal light "). Thus, the sun would be used as an energy source. In a composite of several solar parks a permanent energy supply would be ensured. By means of a distribution network also bases could be so operate, are not exposed to constant sunlight. One particular candidate for this would be the crater at the lunar south pole Malapert. It is exposed to the most light, by means of two solar parks could ever generate electricity.
• It could act as a relay for communications and energy for 116 km away Shackleton crater. This is ideal for astronomical observations, since it is very cold and shield the crater walls against radio emission from the earth.
• In the night craters near are most likely hydrogen - occurrence.
• The South Pole - Aitken Basin is the largest known impact crater in the solar system and should allow conclusions on the structure of the moon.

The equatorial regions

The steeper angle of incidence of the solar wind can be a higher concentration of helium -3 suspect. In addition, the launch of missiles should be made ​​simpler, but this factor is negligible due to the small rotation of the Moon.

Candidate for this would be the Oceanus Procellarum. Studies suggest oxygen-rich rock, is also located there with the Pure - gamma anomaly is a significant magnetic field.

The back

The helium - 3 concentration is likely to be even more noticeable here than on the near side, for the earth will be unable to protect them from the solar wind during the lunar cycle.

The communication with the earth is only through a satellite on the L2 Lagrange point or through a network of satellites orbiting the moon, realized.

Construction

Residential complexes

There are various ideas about how one could live on the moon, each time based on different skills and techniques. To name just a curious but serious example: There were ideas about building stations, which would float on the dust lakes. Also was thinking about inflatable complexes of various designs and sizes. Likewise, the conversion of the fuel tanks was proposed.

• Colonization in the underground: The colony would be built primarily under the lunar surface to avoid cosmic rays, micrometeorites and severe temperature fluctuations.
• Natural caves: It now lunar lava tubes were detected. These natural formations could either use directly or integrated into complexes.
• Burying: the construction of a base on the surface is considered to be most practical solution, which is then buried under several meters of lunar dust.
• On the surface: Prior to cosmic radiation, the colony can protect with artificial magnetic fields.

Energy

Solar

While there are places in the polar regions with constant exposure to the sun, the sun is otherwise on the moon only intermittently available. In about two weeks (336 hours) of continuous sunlight followed by two weeks of continuous darkness. Since an appropriate energy storage for the dark phase is very complex, the polar regions, preference is given well.

Raw materials for the production of photovoltaic systems are present on the moon. Also solar thermal power stations are conceivable.

Nuclear

Although necessary for a nuclear fusion reactor helium -3 is abundant on the moon, a use in the near future is unlikely, since still no fusion reactor has been constructed, which releases more energy than it needs. Why would the use of a nuclear power plant in question, as this technology is known and technically implemented. As an alternative, you should still call the radioisotope generators, which are primarily used for long-term missions such as probes, up to date, for example, the spacecraft New Horizons.

Transport

For the surface

Man is already flown by rockets during the Apollo program to the moon, landed on him and then flew back again. It always equipment such as moon rover or landers remained on the surface.

A major problem in getting is that the moon has no atmosphere and thus no atmospheric braking is possible. Thus, at the current level of technology is only the possibility, brought fuel for braking use.

On the surface

So far Rover were mainly used to drive on the Moon. But a more efficient means of transport is necessary for the transport of materials and people between the colony and the mineral deposits. For this, a maglev would offer, since there is no friction would limit the speed and therefore much higher travel speeds than comparable technology on Earth would be possible. Failsafe life support systems are necessary in the people transportation.

From the surface

The lack of atmosphere is obstacle and benefit at the same time, so realistic variants of a railgun are possible due to the lack of atmosphere. Such fixed installations on the surface could electromagnetically accelerate to beyond the escape velocity, which they would then leave a moon orbiting an object. The lack of atmosphere, but also the less gravitational pull of the moon to ensure that the object with significantly lower energy could accelerate than on Earth, where, among other things, the air resistance is limited. Depending on the orientation, this charge could then be intercepted at various points or land on Earth.