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Lunar Base SittingSpeculation with regard to a permanent lunar base has been with us since Robert Goddard was working on the first liquid-fueled rockets in the 1920's. With the infusion of data from the Apollo Moon flights, a once speculative area of space exploration has become an exciting possibility. A Moon base is not only a very real possibility, but is probably a critical element in the continuation of our piloted space program. This article, originally drafted by World Space Foundation volunteers in conjuction with various academic and research groups, examines some of the strategies involved in selecting an appropriate site for such a lunar base. Site selection involves a number of complex variables, including raw materials for possible rocket propellant generation, hot an cold cycles, view of the sky (for astronomical considerations, among others), geological makeup of the region, and more. This article summarizes the key base siting considerations and suggests some alternatives. Availability of specific resources, including energy and certain minerals, is critical to success.
Document ID
19950056265
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Staehle, Robert L.
(California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California United States)
Burke, James D.
(California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California United States)
Snyder, Gerald C.
(California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California United States)
Dowling, Richard
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Spudis, Paul D.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Spaceflight
Volume: 35
Issue: 12
ISSN: 0038-6340
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
95A87864
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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