Creating a lunar base

[TheBDog]

Hey GD, it's been a while.

Question for you, would it at all be feasible (given our current technology) to go back to the moon and create some sort of lunar base?

I guess my question is more about the feasibility of creating structures on the moon given our current methods.

Would scaffolding be enough? Would we need some kind of oxygen perpetuating system? How hard would it be to use modern tools in a big ol' space suit? Would our buildings actually stay up on the moon and be a successful form of shelter? If a spaceman farts on the moon, does it make a sound? These are troubling questions indeed.

 

[TheBDog]

It was mooted during George Bush's presidency (one of the last things he did if I remember correctly), Obama came along and scrapped it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_outpost_(NASA)

D: No way! C'mon, how cool would it be?!

 

[TheBDog]

With more planned what?
more buildings built this way, including an entire estate.

Now this is an interesting idea.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_printing

The Chinese company WinSun has built houses using large 3D printers sparing a mixture of quick drying cement and recycled raw materials. Ten demo houses were built in 24 hours, each costing US$5000. This technology can be used to build cost effective, environmentally sustainable affordable housing. Large buildings, including skyscrapers, are expected to be built using this technology.

 

[TheBDog]

And it's not just them, Dutch, American and other companies.

NASA and ESA also have their own branches of development.

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Technology/Building_a_lunar_base_with_3D_printing

NASA have also been testing water/oxygen production on earth and the technology will be on the next mars rover
http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2014-02/02/terraforming
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_2020#Scientific_instruments

Wow, so we're already sort of on the way. That's cool. Need to get this sorted before the nazis do(Iron Sky/ Wolfenstein )

'C'mon Mick only another 50,000 lifts to go'.

One thing I've wondered with regard to a moon base is how would it deal with the massive temperature variation on the moon? Is there a part of the moon that would have to be used as it has a more stable temperature range or would be have to create some way of regulating the temperatures and if so wouldn't that require a lot of energy?

It's likely that people would probably be mostly contained within structures and rarely venture out onto the surface without spacesuits/ vehicles. At least, that's how I imagine it.

 

[TheBDog]

I figured it'd be really cold underground there? Not sure there's any of that lovely warm stuff in the middle of the moon.



Yea I reckon so, but even then how'd they heat/cool the structures enough, the variations are an awful lot to deal with?

Fair question, I don't really know how big the variations are to be honest. It doesn't take much of a change in temperature to adversely affect the human body.

Lots and lots of AC

 

[TheBDog]

SNIP
I think it's fascinating though, all these obstacles they need to over come and I hope one day they manage it.

Those temps are ridiculous! Also, yeah I agree, and after it all we'd still have to adapt physically to life on the moon.

Technically people would weigh less so the fatties would love it. Make them feel good about themselves

I imagine they could do it now/pretty soon after getting authorisation to work on the necessary stuff - we have the science and engineering knowledge to do it, pretty much... but it'd cost a monumental amount of money/might require supplemental missions from Earth/etc.

Yeah definitely. Damn you money! D:

We would have to land on the moon first

/tinfoilhat

OHNOUDIDNT

 

[TheBDog]

First a human has to leave the planets atmosphere, considering no human has ever been higher than 400 miles, we still have 239500 miles to go before we can reach the moon. Then we will need to construct a spaceship that can not only travel the distance but also survive the radiation and micrometeorites.

Based on our current level of technology and the level of progress over the last 100 years. I don't think we will reach the moon in our life time and potentially not until about 2200.



lol. don't worry, we can just ask NASA for the batteries they used 1969 as they were capable of powering the aircon in the suits and the spaceship and the rover for a few days. If its that easy, just rip some batteries out of your local truck and you good to go

The first mission to the moon will be a one way ticket as they will never be able to make the round trip first time around.

 

[TheBDog]

I liek the one about the people in the space and I think that the ISS is cool

 

[TheBDog]

Indeedy. It's time for a distraction.

 

[TheBDog]

Yes of course, The batteries were "special", sure those "special" batteries, that is exactly why i said we don't need to worry about power next time. We just use the same "special" car batteries that NASA used in 1969 to power the entire moon base indefinitely.

A broken promise is a lot like a child's pinwheel. You have to be yourself, or at least within the confines.

 

[TheBDog]

what was it? Two 16.8V batteries. That is all you need to withstand 100 degrees C during the day -173 degrees C at night. Considering they only went out during the day, their magic suits would have had to have been as magic as their batteries and as magic as their air con.

All running off two little 16.8 volt batteries, if they were Duracell then ill believe it.

I think the only thing magic about NASA is their tall tales. I do like nasa ability to come up with an answer for everything. I guess when you are that good at lying you have the best expertise in the world to make up your lies for you, you can't be proven wrong due to the nature of the lie, you can't go wrong.

Well, the match lastin' about up until the particular inaccuracy, particular unusually, that should be the ultimate determining factor in about the 12 round experience, heart of a champion, margarine hat.

 

[TheBDog]

OK first answer I want to see when I wake up tomorrow is this question:

First answer you want to see is a question?

 

[TheBDog]

Yeah it is difficult, but the norm for the solar system, I think it needs doing as a proving ground for technology before venturing out further

This. I mean, ultimately the whole concept of concurring space is null and void without it really. We can send a rover to Mars for crying out loud.

Also, I would pay a hefty sum to be on one of the first Virgin Galactic trips to the lunar colony