The colonization of the Moon, the only natural satellite of the Earth,
is present in many movies and science fiction novels: think for example to Arthur C. Clarke who,
before becoming famous as a screenwriter with "2001 - A Space Odyssey" together with Stanley
Kubrick, wrote "The exploration of the Moon", one of the first novels to propose the construction
of a lunar base with scientific criteria, consisting of inflatable modules covered
with regolith to isolate them and protect the occupants from radiation. Clarke also describes
the construction of gradually larger domes, of an algae-based air generator, of a nuclear reactor
for the generation of energy, of electromagnetic cannons capable of launching into space the
material to be transferred on spacecraft in a near-rectilinear halo cislunar orbit,
that is a type of lunar orbit with perilunium (the point of the orbit closest to the Moon) at 3000
km from the lunar surface and apolunium (the point of the orbit farthest from the Moon) at 70000
km from the Moon: these values ​​to minimize the periods in which contact with the Earth is lost.
Clarke's vision, through the description of many details, underlines some of the
problems that a stable garrison on the Moon must face, and which we will discuss in this video.
Now let's see what the problems and real prospects of this incredible adventure are today.
The first problem to be faced to colonize the Moon is to identify a suitable site,
which must have the following characteristics:
1) Terrain sufficiently regular to allow surface transport operations,
landing and take-off of lunar spaceships 2) A potentially interesting area from a
scientific point of view to facilitate study activities without dangerous long transfers
3) Maximum possible availability of natural resources such as water,
hydrogen, helium, oxygen and minerals of industrial interest such as iron oxides.
Can you think of others? Write them in the comments!
These characteristics can be found in various lunar areas but all analysis suggest to carefully
consider polar regions too. First of all, there is evidence of the presence of water ice,
especially on the bottom of the craters that are never reached by sunlight. Then,
you have in mind that, due to the inclination of the axis on which the Earth rotates, at latitudes
higher than or at least equal to those of the polar circles (north or south), the Sun can remain
above the horizon even throughout the night , for variable periods up to a maximum of six months,
depending on the greater or lesser proximity to the geographic pole? It follows that during these
periods the polar regions receive sunlight for a longer continuous time than the equatorial areas.
Something similar also happens on the Moon: this would make possible the production of
photovoltaic energy to support other forms of production (nuclear reactors and fuel cells);
thanks to the geographical position, temperatures should be more stable.
However, the lunar equatorial regions were not completely excluded from the assessments.
Some advantageous aspects could counterbalance the negative ones: for example,
spectroscopic observations have revealed a fair abundance of helium-3 (rare on Earth)
which could become essential if a technology is developed that allows controlled nuclear fusion.
In addition, the greater rotation speed of the equatorial area and above all the fact
that the lunar equator is slightly inclined with respect to the ecliptic would make take-offs at
those latitudes and the resulting translunar and terrestrial routes more advantageous.
Various hypotheses of lunar bases, both superficial and underground,
are currently being studied; in any case they must be designed to protect astronauts from radiation,
because the Moon lacks a global magnetic field. Some hypotheses include, for example,
the installation of surface igloos covered with a layer of regolith (the dust that covers the lunar
surface) several decimeters thick; others place the bases on the bottom of craters,
in ravines similar to caves or in tunnels to be excavated in the subsoil. But this last step may
not even be necessary, as on the Moon there are already natural cavities potentially suitable for
housing habitable structures: lava tunnels. What is it about? Very ancient volcanic eruptions have
created in the subsoil real conduits dug by the lava, in some cases of immense size. Lava tunnels
are ideal for a settlement, because they are protected from radiation and meteorites, they are
extremely solid structures and guarantee a limited thermal excursion with an average temperature that
could be around -23 ° C, which can be countered with heaters. Surely life would be underground,
away from any source of natural light and without the spectacle of the starry sky and the Earth
rising on the horizon, but a welcoming housing technology could limit the discomfort. How would
you feel to live in one of these bases, perhaps for very long periods? Write it in the comments!
In the lava tunnels, or in any case underground,
relatively simple modules could be placed, for example with a honeycomb structure, easier to
make than surface structures, which should be suitably shielded. But undoubtedly it is the
surface bases that have sparked the imagination of designers and scientists. The proposed habitats
range from the appropriately modified holds of the landing vehicles, to their emptied fuel tanks,
from inflatable modules of all shapes, to prefabricated structures to be assembled.
Regolite, essentially composed of a mixture of silicon and iron-containing compounds, could be
hot melted to produce a supposedly very strong and fairly radiation shielding glass coating.
The European Space Agency is experimenting with the construction of real regolith bricks,
exploiting a quarry of material called AEC-1, very similar to lunar regolith.
In 2013, a study was released that theorized the use of a special 3D printer capable of using lunar
regolith as a material to produce external support structures that enclose inflatable habitats.
According to the study, this solution would drastically reduce the amount of building
material to be transported to the Moon: it would be enough to mix the regolith with magnesium
oxide to create a new fluid material that, once solidified, would be completely similar to stone.
In addition to the underground and surface bases, the hypothesis of an international lunar base
in orbit around the Moon is also emerging, to which various space agencies would contribute:
the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway. According to the project, it should
consist of 7 modules plus a robotic arm supplied by Canada, reaching 125 m³ of living space:
• Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) is a module with a weight of 8-9 t designed to produce 50 kW
of electricity through photovoltaic panels and provide ion propulsion.
On May 23rd, 2019, the assignment of construction to Maxar Technologies was announced and it will
constitute the first module of the station. • European System Providing Refueling,
Infrastructure and Telecommunications (ESPRIT) will contribute to the storage of xenon and
hydrazine, as well as providing a docking point for any cargo. It will be designed in
parallel by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space. • Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO),
made in the US, will provide additional space and form the initial housing module, leading to 55m³
of living space. It will be based on a Cygnus spacecraft, with the additions of radiators,
antennas, batteries and docking points, providing support for the crew for at least a month.
The construction of the module was entrusted in July 2019 to Northrop Grumman, which,
for the production of the Cygnus, collaborates with Thales Alenia Space,
operating in the pressurized sections. • International Habitation Module (I-HAB)
is part of the habitation module during manned missions and is a docking point for other modules.
It has a cylindrical shape with the addition of four doors, two in axis and two radial,
and for the absence of space waste in the cis-lunar area, less thick walls are sufficient.
Inside there will be sleeping, kitchen and a gym. It will be designed in parallel by
Airbus and Thales Alenia Space. At the ESA ministerial conference in Seville,
an order worth 327 million euros was awarded for the module,
137 million of which for Italian returns. • U.S. Habitation Module (U.S. HAB) forms
the US part of the station's housing module, reaching 125m3 of living space.
• Gateway Logistics Modules will be used as refueling modules. The project provides for
a pressurized load capacity of 5 t and 2.6 t of non-pressurized, for a total of 7.6 t
(in comparison the Cygnus and the ATV reach 3.5 t and 9 t).
• Gateway Airlock Module will act as an airlock for any spacewalks and will be provided by Russia.
But have you ever wondered why colonize the Moon?
One of the most important reasons is certainly the technological fallout, that is the applications
derived from space missions that we use in everyday life; think that the Apollo missions
have produced more than 160,000 technological fallout! Let's see a very brief summary:
• Infrared ear thermometer: Diatek Corporation and NASA developed an ear
thermometer that measures the thermal radiation emitted by the eardrum using
the same principle used to evaluate the temperature of stars and planets.
• Artificial limbs: the development of robotics linked to manipulation equipment in space
(for example the Canadarm of the Space Shuttle) and the creation of low-cost
materials have allowed important progress in the field of active limb prosthetics.
• Translucent polycrystalline alumina: born as a protective coating of infrared antennas to
detect the position of rockets through the heat trace, it is now used in dentistry as
a coating for fragile teeth and to make invisible plates for dental appliances.
• Anti-scratch lenses: the particular coating that makes the lenses of our
glasses resistant to scratches was created to protect the visors of astronauts' helmets.
• Left Ventricular Assistance (LVAD):
NASA engineers designed turbopumps for the Apollo engine. This technology has resulted
in a medical device capable of supporting patients with heart failure while awaiting transplantation.
• Medical Emitting Diodes (LEDs): Created as light emitters in plant growth stimulation experiments
in space, these types of high intensity diodes were used by Quantum Devices Inc., under license
from NASA, to manufacture radiating equipment. for the localized treatment of joint and muscle pain.
• Thermal control garments: Micro Climate technology is used in the Liquid Colled Garment,
the garment that astronauts wear under the pressurized suits ensuring thermal comfort
thanks to a system of tubes in which a fluid heat exchanger powered by a mini battery pump.
Life Support Systems Inc has created clothing for immobilized patients such as children
with ectodermal dysplasia. These children overheat rapidly due to abnormalities in the
sweat glands and suffer from a number of serious related ailments. The LSSI product contributes
significantly to avoiding thermal shock and other complications. The same principle has also been
applied to technical clothing for firefighters and other workers exposed to strong heat sources.
• Isothermal blanket: aluminized blankets often found in first aid
kits were invented in 1964 by NASA as a thermal coating for spacecraft (eg the
Apollo lunar module). They consist of a thin plastic sheet (usually
PET) coated with a metal material that reflects up to 75% of the radiated heat.
• Fire Fighting Devices: NASA has issued concessions to produce high-tech breathing systems
used by firefighters and flame-resistant radio connections. These NASA-designed equipment is much
safer and lighter than its predecessors, ensuring better mobility and vision for firefighters.
• Freezing / Drying Process: In anticipation of long-duration missions,
NASA has conducted extensive research on food. One of the techniques adopted
and improved was that of freezing / drying food developed in 1938 by Nestlè.
Foods are cooked, frozen and then slowly heated in a vacuum chamber to remove the ice crystals.
The final product retains 98% of its nutritional value and weighs much less, up to 20% of its
original weight. Today, this process makes it possible to serve quality meals in emergency
situations but also to market products that were previously impossible to preserve.
And do you come up with other technological implications? Write them in the comments!
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