Moon colony 'within 20 years'

bbc.co.uk ^ | 20 Aug 03 | Helen Briggs

[RightWhale]

Moon colony 'within 20 years'

By Helen Briggs BBC News Online science reporter

Humans could be living on the Moon within 20 years, says a leading lunar scientist.

According to Bernard Foing of the European Space Agency, the technology will soon exist to set up an outpost for visiting astronauts. However, political will is needed to inspire the public to support the initiative. "We believe that technologically it's possible," the project scientist on Europe's first Moon mission, Smart-1, told BBC News Online. "But it will depend in the end on the political will to go and establish a human base for preparing for colonisation of the Moon or to be used as a refuge for the human species."

Ion drive

The unmanned Smart-1 craft, which is due to be launched in early September, is flying to the Moon to demonstrate that Europe has the technology for future deep space science missions. Its main form of propulsion is an ion engine powered by solar-electrical means rather than conventional chemical fuel. The craft will make an x-ray map of the moon When it arrives at the Moon, after a 15-month voyage, it will search for water-ice in craters and determine the abundance of minerals on the surface. In the process, it will look for landing sites for future lunar exploration such as a sample return mission planned by the US space agency (Nasa) for 2009.

"The Moon could be used as a test bed for future human missions," says Sarah Dunkin, a leading British scientist on the Smart-1 project. "To actually live on another world would be quite a test of technology as well as human physiology. We don't know what the long-term effects of living in a low gravity environment would be."

Any long term plans to set up a lunar base are bound to rely on international co-operation. They could include India and China, two nations which have recently pledged to send astronauts back to the Moon.

However, under current policy, the UK would not be included because it does not support human space exploration.

[RightWhale]

We'll have the tech in 20 years?

We had the tech 40 years ago.

[martin_fierro]

It's been done.

[Caipirabob]

They'll still be years behind Sheila Jackson-Lee...

[RightWhale]

How about a moon prize?

[ARCADIA]

Ho Hum.. We have heard this all before.

[eclectic]

When it arrives at the Moon, after a 15-month voyage

Well, 40 years ago it wasn't so... slow!

[mtbopfuyn]

To the moon, Alice.

I know a few I'd like to send to the moon.

[BlackbirdSST]

When it arrives at the Moon, after a 15-month voyage Well, 40 years ago it wasn't so... slow!

Heck, you can get out and push it there faster! Blackbird.

[N3WBI3]

Well its a new type of propultion and one that will need to be refined but ion drive is very promising as a way to make travel within our planitary system possible. You can ship things to and fro with little trouble (thoug a little slower) because there would be little nedd for chemical fuel..

[Austin Willard Wright]

They will be divided into two units. Moon Unit Alpha and Moon Unit Zappa.

[Dead Corpse]

They are still working on energy production and resource recycling. Trying to extend the times between restocking water/air/food. Not too mention making it more financially feasable to get there and back again.

Remove all the stupid government regulations against exploiting extra-terrestrial resources and let the private sector go nuts...

[UseYourHead]

The unmanned Smart-1 craft, which is due to be launched in early September, is flying to the Moon to demonstrate that Europe has the technology for future deep space science missions.

Great - just what we need, France on the moon. There will still be no hot running water.

[smith288]

They need 20 yrs to fake a moon landing?? </sarcasm>

PROOOOOF J/k of course.

[Austin Willard Wright]

But plenty of loose women and good food. Seems like a good trade-off.

[tm22721]

just what we need, France on the moon.

But there's nobody to surrender to up there !

BUMP

[from occupied ga]

Humans could be living on the Moon within 20 years, says a leading lunar scientist.

One word needs correcting:

Humans could be living on the Moon within 20 years, says a leading lunar loony scientist.

[irish guard]

Moon Beaver?....I am confused.

[Mr. Bird]

They would just be fixing it up for the Germans.

[andy58-in-nh]

Finally! - a place for our illegal aliens. When does the ship leave?

[Prof Engineer]

Any long term plans to set up a lunar base are bound to rely on international co-operation.

What for? So france and germany can whine continuously?