Despite the technological progress since the Apollo era, this will be extremely challenging.
So how should you get started?
The conditions at the lunar surface are extreme.
Meanwhile, the coldest nighttime temperatureshave been recorded as -247C.
The lack of a protective atmosphere also means theres little protection against harmfulcosmic radiation.
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Thats because its non-porous, strong and doesnt require water, which isin short supplyon the moon.
Another problem is the low gravity on the moon only a sixth of that at Earth.
Over time, this can cause problems such asmuscle and bone loss.
Any permanent lunar settlement must minimize these risks, for example by making exercise a requirement.
Power sources
An essential ingredient for any base is a power supply.
One option would be to use solar panels.
Colonists would therefore have to store power in batteries and use it during the dark period.
If the base was placed in thenorth or south pole, however, solar panels would receive constant sunlight.
Nuclear reactors are a more reliable alternative to solar power.
In recent years theres been a lot of interest inminiaturized fission reactors.
There is also the risk that we made end up spreading nuclear materialon a currently pristine location.
Another possibility areradioisotope thermal generators.
you’ve got the option to grow plants in lunar soil.
There are also high levels of metals such as aluminium and chromium, which can betoxic to plants.
For example, this can be performed in aninternal windowless room.
A disadvantage of hydroponics is the amount of water required.
Luckily it is possibleto extract modest amounts of water icefrom the moon especially at the poles.
The final major consideration for any future lunar colony is health and safety.
The potential risks of exploration arewell documented.
Whether such a base goes ahead or not will depend on this calculation perhaps more than any other.
