Mission Moon

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Lunar Regolith covers much of the surface.

Slide 12

What would we need to live on the Moon?

Slide 13

What would we need to live on the Moon?

Shelter

Power

Food

Water

Earth communications

Tools / equipment

Ways to move around

Slide 14

Shelter

A lunar outpost is needed for long stays to maintain an atmosphere and protect us from temperature extremes … space suits protect us outside the base.

It will be built with materials transported from Earth (costly!) but we can use lunar resources Moon to help (titanium, regolith for lunar bricks!).

A natural shelter can be found in the lava tubes in ancient volcanic areas.

Slide 15

Power

Fuel is expensive to transport from Earth

Solar power can be used to run an outpost.

Solar power will have to be stored in costly batteries for long periods of darkness, unless the base is in a permanently sunny region.

Slide 16

Food

Food will be transported from Earth. Eventually, hydroponic gardens will be created to provide food for the outpost.

Slide 17

Water

Liquid water does not exist on the Moon’s surface.

Water ice may exist in deep, permanently shadowed craters at the poles.

All humans need water to drink. Water also can be broken into hydrogen and oxygen and used as a fuel or to create an atmosphere at the enclosed base.

Slide 18

Calling Home

Earth is far away … about 240,000 miles away!

We will need to communicate about outpost operations and the health of the astronauts, and we will want to stay in touch with Earth friends, too!

The outpost will have to be in constant view of Earth to maintain communications. If the outpost is not in view, costly satellite systems will have to be put in place.

Note: Astronauts Do Not Use Telephones! Communications travel by radio waves, part of the electromagnetic spectrum!

Slide 19

Tools and Equipment

We will need to transport tools and equipment to the lunar outpost to build the base and conduct scientific experiments.

Slide 20

Roving the Surface

We will need ways to move around the surface as we build the outpost, search for resources, and conduct scientific experiments.