Do we need the Moon?

As a space entrepreneur and CEO of Copernic Space, I often get asked about the value of investing in space and especially the Moon, and it's clear to me that many people and the press don't fully understand its worth. The truth is, the Moon is essential to our future as a species in space, and it has tremendous scientific, commercial, and economic potential. In this article, I have compiled a list of questions I have received or we've received as a project from our community focusing on the Moon to provide answers and insights. I will cover everything from the challenges of building a long-lasting settlement on the Moon to the resources we can use for the settlement. So, let's dive in and explore the future possibilities of the Moon.

Q: Do we need a settlement on the Moon at the first place?

A: Absolutely. The Moon will serve as a launchpad for future space exploration initiatives, such as missions to Mars. We won't go straight from the Earth to Mars or other bodies such as asteroids for mining or other purposes. The Moon will be the real launchpad for mankind into space and our future as a species in space.

In addition, it allows us to conduct scientific research and learn more about our solar system and ourselves. This includes investigating the effects of long-term exposure to low gravity and radiation on the human body and conducting experiments to improve our understanding of the universe. The Moon can also serve as a testing ground for new technologies and equipment that could be used for future missions to Mars and beyond.

Also, the Moon will be used for commercial activities such as mining which will be key to our capability to survive there and in space overall. Not to mention how mining in space or advancing other space applications such as solar energy generation and transfer or satellite capabilities will improve life on Earth. The research conducted on the Moon has the potential to unlock new discoveries and technologies that could benefit humanity both on and off the Earth.

And finally, the development of a lunar settlement will have economic benefits, such as creating new jobs and industries. Eventually, the Moon itself will become a trillion-dollar economy, as predicted by our advisor and former Head of Space Commerce at the US Department of Commerce, Kevin O'Connell.

Q: As there are already missions that aim to achieve that goal,

what are the challenges of building a long-lasting settlement on

the Moon?

A: Building a long-lasting settlement on the Moon won't be easy and will include many small failures and suffering. Some of the challenges include establishing a sustainable source of food, water, and oxygen and providing adequate protection from the harsh radiation and extreme temperatures on the Moon's surface. Also, we must consider the psychological effects of living in a confined and isolated environment for extended periods of time. Let's not forget that the technology we take with us will suffer, one of the most interesting things we learned from being there is how destructive moon dust is to everything, even our space suits.

Q: What are the most basic things we will need to be able to live on the Moon?

A: Most importantly, we need to figure out a reliable source of food, water, and oxygen for long periods of time, as well as adequate shelter and protection from the harsh environment and radiation. This means we need to build the infrastructure and advanced technology to generate power, manage waste, and communicate with Earth, each other on the Moon, and other spacecraft.

Q: Who could go to live on the Moon? Only trained astronauts?

A: At first it can only be trained astronauts and scientists that will live on the Moon, I mentioned there will be some suffering involved, and initially it can only be reserved for highly trained people, both mentally and physically to be able to handle such an experience. However, as the infrastructure on the Moon continues to develop, we may see a wider range of individuals traveling to and living on the Moon. This could include miners, engineers, and maybe even tourists.

Q: What Moon resources will we be able to use for the settlement?

A: I know it doesn't seem like it, but there's quite a bit. This includes the lunar soil, which can be processed into building materials and used for radiation shielding. It can also contain valuable minerals like silicon. There is water ice in some areas of the Moon, which can be used for drinking water, rocket propellant, and generating oxygen. Multiple companies and missions will be focused on discovering such assets, initially, tests are planned on the lunar south pole for water for example. Also, the Moon's low gravity could also be utilized for manufacturing and other industrial processes. We're already discovering how low or no gravity can potentially benefit certain things such as food production.

Q: In your opinion, will it be possible to have a comfortable life on the Moon?

A: As I said, it will be very tough at first but with the right long term investment, infrastructure, and technology, it will be possible to have a comfortable life on the Moon. By comfortable, I don't mean the comforts we've built over millennia here on Earth but comfortable in the sense of survivability without great suffering. However, establishing a sustainable and self-sufficient settlement will take significant investment and effort. We will need to develop new technologies and systems to meet the unique challenges of living on the Moon, but this will be eventually accomplished.

Q: What to expect in the future?

A: It's an extremely exciting time as we're experiencing the creation of a cis-lunar economy. Over the next few years, we can expect to see the beginning of the infrastructure on the Moon being built. Many companies like Astrobotic and Lunar Outpost are taking other infrastructure developers, such as Nokia's cellular network for the Moon, with them to test. So you will see the communications infrastructure being launched and tested there soon, and even some companies are looking to build transactional infrastructure using cryptocurrency nodes. As mentioned, food in space won't be coming from Earth all the time, so testing of food grown in space is already being worked on by partners such as FreshProduce.supply.

In addition to building the physical infrastructure, we will need to develop the marketplace and economic system for all the space assets and activities related to the Moon. As for myself and Copernic Space, we focus on providing a decentralized platform that allows buying and managing space assets, making the Moon and space overall an accessible and valuable resource to everyone. 

CONCLUSION

Investing in the Moon is not just about fulfilling our human curiosity about space but has real-life practical applications. The Moon will serve as a critical launchpad for future space exploration, provide opportunities for scientific research and discovery, and offer potential for commercial development and economic growth. While building a long-lasting settlement on the Moon will be challenging, we have the technology, infrastructure, and resources to achieve it. As the cis-lunar economy continues to take shape, we can expect to see an increasing number of companies and missions aimed at exploring and exploiting the Moon's resources. In the end, the development of a lunar settlement will not only benefit space exploration but also our lives on Earth.