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Core Research Space Research & Technology Development
Divisions Energy Technologies & Research Space Settlement & Human Habitation Space Resources, Economics & Commerce
Resources
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The Moon: Resources & Settlement
The moon is the target of the initial stages of the Constellation program recently initiated at NASA by mandate from President George W. Bush. However, to date, this mandate and NASA in general has not been fully funded and questions are emerging about the health of the proposed time frame for this effort. Additionally, there has been dissent over the proposed launch vehicles in development for this program, with some NASA engineers privately developing and pushing an alternate approach.
Potential Lunar Resources & UsesHelium-3There are a variety of lunar resources to consider, but the one getting the most attention is Helium-3. Helium-3 is a potential candidate for nuclear fusion energy and is abundant on the moon. Helium-3 is very rare on Earth due to the protection of the surface of our Earth from direct contact with the solar wind, which is the delivery mechanism for lunar Helium-3. Other Lunar ResourcesOther resources include Oxygen (with obvious uses including breathing and as a fuel), Silicon can be used in the manufacturing of solar energy panels, Iron, Calcium, Aluminum, Titanium, and Magnesium. Other resources exist in much smaller amounts.
Lunar Titanium map:
Lunar Titanium density map of the Moon.
Lunar Iron map:
Iron density map of the Moon
Silicates and Silicon are abundant on the Moon and offer opportunity for in-situ manufacturing of solar cells. Silicon is second in abundance on the Moon only to Oxygen. Thorium is present on the Moon and has possible use as a filament enhancer when used with Tungsten, is a fertile nuclear fuel, and an effective material for radiation shielding. While not a likely export for Earth, space-based Thorium will be useful for utilization in space.
Density map of Lunar Thorium Thorium is also likely a marker for what is often known as KREEP, the acronym for potassium ("K"), rare Earth elements and phosphorous. Thorium, therefore, may be a marker for geologically interesting and useful regions.
Research Platform The Moon provides an excellent Astronomical research and deep-space observing platform due to it's lack of an atmosphere. Without an atmosphere, the Moon provides much sharper and brighter views of deep space objects permitting distant research along with a radio noise-free environment. Astronomers are beginning to get resolved images of planets around other stars from Earth-based platforms. Performing very high-precision measurements would be much easier on the Moon. Settlement & Legal IssuesCurrently no nation has made any claim to total or partial ownership of the Moon. Russia and the United States have both signed the Outer Space Treaty, effectively declaring the moon to be handled like international waters here on Earth. This treaty also requires the moon to be used for peaceful and non-military purposes only. Individuals have made claims to the moon, and some of them have even engaged in the sale of lunar real estate based on these claims. Currently none of these claims are considered legitimate or credible.
"Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the moon. July 1969, A.D. We came in peace for all mankind." - Plaque left on the Moon by Apollo 11.
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The Moon is the Earth's only natural satellite and is likely our first settlement location beyond space stations in Earth orbit. The moon has a surface gravity of about 17% that of Earth, making launch from the moon far more energy efficient than launch from Earth.
