The NASA dream – humans to live permanently on the moon by 2024

By Dick Pelletier

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt. NASA Chief Michael Griffin is about to realize one such dream: “In 2020, the first manned-moon mission in two generations will blast off to create an outpost that by 2024, will host permanent residents.”

The original lunar settlers will be scientists uncovering geological and geophysical secrets of the moon and perhaps operating an astronautical observatory. Later, entrepreneurs will come to mine resources such as Helium-3, an ingredient used in fusion technology, or to build solar power stations that beam energy back to Earth. Finally, tourists are expected to arrive in droves to experience spectacular views of Earth from the “high frontier.”

In the beginning, the lunar station will operate as a science laboratory to test survival technologies, prepare for manned missions to Mars, and serve as staging area for flights to the Red Planet. NASA’s Scott Horowitz says, “With this outpost, we can learn to use the moon’s natural resources to live off the land and make preparations for the 68-million-mile roundtrip to Mars, scheduled for 2030.”

The moon is a harsh, dangerous environment with low gravity and the constant threat of being pelted by tiny micro-meteorites (moon-dust). Temperature swings of 250º in daytime to minus 400º at night would kill an unprotected person almost immediately. And of course, these brutal lunar days and nights each last about 354 hours (two weeks).

However, as technological prowess advances, futurists predict that by mid-century it may be possible to genetically reengineer our bodies, enabling humans to live comfortable in low gravity and extreme temperatures, and develop immunity to solar ray damage. And by 2100, forward-thinkers believe that advanced nanotech could begin terraforming some of our extraterrestrial worlds, creating an atmosphere, temperature, and ecology similar to Earth.

But today, such futuristic genetic and terraforming knowledge remains only a dream, so scientists are utilizing current technologies to create habitat modules and special clothing that will protect settlers from danger.

Since the 1960s, more than 400 people have traveled off-Earth, and experts predict numbers of space-residents will double each decade. By 2050, 12,000 construction workers and residents could be in space; by 2100, 384,000; and by mid-22nd century; more humans could live in space than on Earth.

Who will own the moon? Although the “Outer Space Treaty” forbids nations from claiming sovereignty over celestial bodies, experts do not believe it can be enforced. Even if a moon-base is occupied by only a couple of astronauts, the government that sent them there will regulate their lives. But consider third or fourth generation inhabitants of these colonies. Will they allow a distant Earth government to control their lives? Probably not.

World-famous physicist Stephen Hawking recently warned that “It is important for the human race to spread out into space for survival of the species. Life on Earth is at risk of being wiped out by a disaster, such as sudden global warming, nuclear war, genetically-engineered virus, or some other danger.” Mr. Hawking, we hear you.

As we begin scattering our populations to the stars, freedom, cooperation, and ingenuity could help humanity achieve a truly amazing “magical future.”

This article appeared in various print publications and on-line blogs. Comments always welcome.