Moon Base Settlement Possible by 2020

NASA unveils on December 5, 2006 its plans to set up a small self-sustaining settlement of astronauts at the south pole of the moon by 2020. The first step towards this is to resume manned exploration of the solar system. The habitat will serve as a science outpost and test center for technologies needed for future expeditions to Mars.

To start NASA will use two vehicles - the Orion exploration vehicle and air attached all-purpose lunar lander that could touch down anywhere and be the beginnings of base camp. The moon settlement would also be used for space travelers headed for further destinations in the galaxy. It would provide not only a haven but also hydrogen and oxygen mined from the lunar surface to make water and rocket fuel.

For the first four years of the moon base, astronauts would only stay a week at a time. After that, NASA sees astronauts staying for six months at a time. The moons south pole is a strong candidate for the base because it is sunlit three quarters of the time.

If the project goes ahead as planned, it would return humans to the moon for the first time since 1972. NASA has met with hundreds of scientists; potential international partners and space businesses over the past years to discuss are lunar options. The most important issue discussed is whether the plan should be based around a series of temporary small stations or a permanent outpost and later settlement. The conclusion was that an outpost would be the best for science and to prepare for explorations deeper into space.

The lunar plans calls for a commitment of money over the next three presidential terms, raising questions about future funding. University of Texas aerospace engineering professor Hans Mark, a former NASA deputy administrator gives the moon base plan an 80 percent chance of getting the money to establish the moon base by 2020.