This paper offers conceptual strategy and rationale for returning astronauts to the moon. NASA's historic Apollo program enabled humans to make the first expeditionary voyages to the moon and to gather and return samples back to the earth for further study. To continue exploration of the moon within the next ten to fifteen years, one possible mission concept for returning astronauts using existing launch vehicle infrastructure is presented. During these early lunar missions, expeditionary trips are made to geographical destinations and permanent outposts are established at the lunar south pole. As these missions continue, mining operations begin in an effort to learn how to live off the land. Over time, a burgeoning economy based on mining and scientific activity emerges with the formation of more accommodating settlements and surface infrastructure assets. As lunar activity advances, surface infrastructure assets grow and become more complex, lunar settlements and outposts are established across the globe, travel to and from the moon becomes common place, and commerce between earth and the moon develops and flourishes. Colonization and development of the moon is completed with the construction of underground cities and the establishment of a full range of political, religious, educational, and recreational institutions with a diverse population from all nations of the world. Finally, rationale for diversifying concentrations of humanity throughout earth's neighborhood and the greater solar system is presented.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Human Lunar Destiny: Past, Present, and Future


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    4th Annual Return to the Moon Symposium Crossroads to the Cosmos ; 2002 ; Houston, TX, USSR


    Publication date :

    2002-07-18


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English





    Lunar destiny

    Mulheirn, Rich | Online Contents | 2010


    Lunar Exploration - Past, Present and Future

    Seboldt, J. / Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Luft- und Raumfahrt | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2005


    The Google Lunar XPRIZE – Past, Present and Future

    Barton, Andrew / Wong, Nathan / Webber, Derek | Springer Verlag | 2018


    Past, Present and Future

    Argyris, J.H. / Banks, Air Cdre. F.R. / Baxter, A.D. | Emerald Group Publishing | 1970