Getting a house building service on the moon is a dream many people have. The idea is that you would be able to live on the moon for many years without having to worry about a home. You would not have to worry about having to deal with issues such as power, water and sanitation.
Creating a lunar base was canceled
Creating a lunar base house building service was canceled, but not entirely. A leaked document from NASA shows that the agency is still pursuing its moon plans. The document also says that it could take up to four years for the agency to set up a permanent moon base.
While the Moon does not have the gravity of Earth, it does have a very low surface temperature. This makes it ideal for deep space missions and a staging site for astronauts heading to Mars.
Aside from its gravity, the Moon also has a unique geology. There are polar craters that contain large deposits of water ice. This resource is essential for rocket fuel, and for breathable oxygen. The craters are not illuminated by the sun, but they do have the highest elevations of any lunar region.
The newest NASA moon base proposal has already narrowed down its list of sites to consider. Among the finalists are 13 sites near the Moon’s south pole. These sites were selected for their ease of landing and their proximity to the water ice-rich craters.
While NASA’s moon base project hasn’t sprung to life yet, the agency has a plan to set it up by 2024. NASA also hopes to find a suitable location to mine water ice from the Moon’s polar craters. This will enable the agency to develop a sustainable source of rocket fuel and oxygen, two important components for future exploration.
It’s a long road ahead for NASA, but it’s good to see the agency is taking steps to prepare for future lunar exploration. The agency plans to send astronauts on a return to the Moon in the 2030s, after which it will be ready to move on to Mars.
Exploring cliffs, canyons, caves and lava tubes to protect living quarters
Observations of Mars’ surface indicate the presence of cave-like formations and igneous rocks. Previous robotic exploratory missions have confirmed the presence of similar volcanic caves on Mars. Caves may provide evidence of past aqueous activity and may be important in future explorations of Mars. Caves can provide shelter from harsh surface conditions and can maintain relatively stable microclimates. They may also provide a source of nutrients for chemosynthesis. Caves could also be valuable resources for future human explorations.
Caves are formed by the cooling of the outer surface of a lava flow. After cooling, the inner surface dries out, leaving hollow voids below. The lava then drains out. These hollow voids may contain groundwater, microbial activity, and a variety of secondary minerals. Lava tubes can last longer on Mars than on Earth. Lava tubes could provide a habitable environment for future lunar outposts.
The presence of coralloid speleothems in lava tubes has been observed. Coralloid speleothems are small mineralised nodes that develop when water-rock interaction occurs in caves. They are found on all surfaces of caves.
Scientists are investigating secondary mineralization in lava cave systems. The Astrobiology Training in Lava Tubes (ATiLT) project is studying these mineral formations in the Lava Beds National Monument, CA. The project will analyze samples collected in the field and in-situ. The resulting data will be used to understand the origins of characteristic features.
Secondary mineral deposits are not biological in appearance, but provide a rich source of nutrients for chemosynthesis. Initial results indicate the presence of quartz and calcite. However, crystal growth must be extremely slow.
Large lava tube caverns may provide substantial safety benefits for future lunar bases. In addition to providing shelter from harsh surface conditions, caves can preserve evidence of microbial life.
Adapting the human body to the conditions of a long stay in weightlessness
Adapting the human body to the conditions of a long stay in weightlessness is no small feat. Aside from the obvious effects of weightlessness, you’ll also be forced to perform some exercises you probably never knew you could do. You’ll be a lot less likely to suffer from muscle or joint pain if you can make it through your daily routine without the use of your hands. In addition, your cardiovascular system will be a lot more efficient. This is especially true if you’re an athlete.
It’s easy to see why weightlessness has become a major focus of space exploration. During a weightless flight, your heart rate and blood pressure can be reduced, putting you at risk for some serious injuries. In addition, your muscles and bones can actually become weaker. The good news is, you can reclaim some of your muscle mass by performing exercises such as push-ups and lunges. However, it’s also important to note that a long stay in weightlessness can cause a number of debilitating side effects, including headaches, fatigue, and nausea.
Although space exploration has been going on for 58 years now, the human body still hasn’t mastered weightlessness. Although the medical community has a vested interest in learning about the negative effects of microgravity, it’s also important to note that the best way to survive in space is to stay in one piece. As such, NASA is making changes to their weightlessness equipment. Some of the changes include replacing the outdated Resistive Exercise Device with an Advanced Resistive Exercise Device, which has been linked to better muscle strength and bone density. This is a particularly useful feature if you’re an astronaut, since you’re likely to spend much of your time on the International Space Station.
Solar panels are cheap, light, reliable and safe
Several times, it’s been proposed to put solar panels on the Moon, but they never really worked out. The concept seemed far-fetched compared to coal and other fossil fuels. But now, new technological advancements have shown how solar power could be captured in space.
Justin Lewis-Weber, a high school senior from California, has published a paper in the journal New Space that proposes a solution to the energy crisis. His plan would use solar panels to beam power to Earth. He claims that his plan would be cheaper than fossil fuels. He says his system would cost about $10 billion to build and would be able to power 150,000 homes.
If the system were to work, it would be able to beam power to Earth any time of day or night. The system would also be cheaper than natural gas and outcompete coal. Unlike natural gas, it would not have harmful emissions.
Lewis-Weber’s solar panels would cost less than fossil fuels. He estimated that a pound of his panels would generate 25 kilowatt hours, which would be worth about $10.
If his plan were to succeed, solar panels could cover the entire Nevada state in a matter of months. This would be possible because the moon is 14 stellar magnitudes darker than the sun. The moon doesn’t produce its own light, so solar panels would be able to operate at night.
If Lewis-Weber’s plan is successful, he believes it could be a game-changer. He claims that it could outcompete coal and natural gas, and it could be used to power homes across the globe.
He estimates that his system would cost 0.00042 cents per kilowatt hour. This is far cheaper than fossil fuels, and he believes that it could be done for $10 billion.
