| In the past five years, there has been growing interest in the idea of an immediate return to the Moon, and its development as a platform for science, industrialization and exploration of our Solar System and beyond. This book describes the reasons why we should now return to lunar development and settlement, and how this goal may be accomplished. In The Moon: Resources, Future Development and Colonization, the authors consider the rationale and steps necessary for establishing permanent bases on the Moon. Their innovative and scientific-based analysis concludes that the Moon has sufficient resources for large-scale human development. Their case for development includes arguments for a solar-powered electric grid and railroad, creation of a utilities infrastructure, habitable facilities, scientific operations and the involvement of private enterprise with the public sector in the macroproject. By transferring and adapting existing technologies to the lunar environment, it will be possible to use lunar resources and solar power to build a global lunar power-communication-transportation-manufacturing infrastructure. This will support the migration of increasing numbers of people from Earth, and realization of the Moon’s scientific potential. As an inhabited world, the Moon will become a centre for Solar System exploration, human settlement, and exploitation of the resources of near-Earth objects. The development on the Moon of an ‘off-Earth economy’ will result in substantial benefits on our home planet. Readership: Undergraduate and postgraduate students in astronautics, space science, life sciences, space engineering and technology. Professional space scientists, engineers and technologists in space projects, and those interested in the future human space programme and exploitation of Solar System resources. Space enthusiasts with a particular interest in the future development and colonization of the Moon.
About the Author
Following the Apollo lunar expeditions which culminated in the exploration by the Apollo astronauts on parts of the lunar surface, humankind has not revisited the Moon since 1972. In this 21st Century the resources of humankind are now sufficiently advanced to support the global human exploration and development of the Moon. In this new Millennium several nations, including Japan and China, have stated their intention to develop a lunar base during the first half of this century.
The major themes of the 1st edition of THE MOON Resources, Future Development and Colonization, a Wiley/Praxis title published in hardback at £34.95 in1999, which has to date sold 1200 plus, remain valid today.
For example, the Moon WILL be the next principal focus of space exploration and development, and the south polar region is increasingly likely as the first site of permanent lunar activities, as the authors predicted. Major events in space that have taken place since the publication of the 1st edition of the Moonbook. |
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