The idea of a lunar base has long been discussed and first reared its head in science fiction. A lunar base could be used as a research centre, a base for further exploration of our galaxy and as a possible location for advanced astronomical telescopes. However any such undertaking would be massively expensive and scientists are still arguing about how useful such a structure would be.
In 1998 a NASA space probe sent to the moon discovered high concentrations of hydrogen in deep polar craters on the moon. Some scientists have suggested that there could be large deposits of lunar ice contained in these craters which remain untouched by the suns rays. There have been suggestions that the ice could help support human life on the moon and perhaps even be split into liquid hydrogen and oxygen to produce rocket propellant. The problem is they can’t be certain that the ice is there at all and if it is they don’t know how difficult it would be to extract.
The argument for placing advanced astronomical telescopes on the moon seems to have been met with scepticism by astronomers who point out that because of dirt and gravity space telescopes offer a much better solution.
Back in 2004 Bush announced plans to revisit the moon with the idea of building a base there as a platform to push on and visit Mars. However since that time the funding for space programs has been limited and various shuttle and space station plans have gone over budget and schedule. The idea of a lunar base is not confined to the US however and the European Space Agency, China, Russia and even Japan and India have all announced plans to build on the moon within the next 15 years.
The reality of living on the moon would be a terribly harsh one for any colonist who chose to go. There are terrible abrasive dust problems, long lunar nights and temperature extremes and we don’t know what the long term effects of living with 1/6th of the Earth’s gravity would be on the human body.
In November of last year there was an International conference on the subject which was seeking to encourage sharing of current research and the possibility of an International Lunar Base. The conference was hailed as a success with scientists, engineers and various industry representatives in attendance but funding for such a project remains a real barrier and many see engaging the commercial sector as the only viable way to make it happen.
Although the plans to construct a lunar base have not been officially cancelled there hasn’t been much obvious movement either and some senior scientists and ex-NASA directors have suggested manned asteroid landings would be a better stepping stone for a manned expedition to Mars. NASA have been continuing to test equipment at Hawaii's Mauna Kea volcano because the conditions there are as close as you can get to the moon on Earth. They are aiming to show how astronauts could extract resources like oxygen, fuel and water from lunar rocks and soil.
With a number of lunar probes in recent years or planned for the near future a lunar base remains a possibility and much will depend on how governments choose to direct their funding and whether the private sector will get more involved. We will just have to wait and see.
