The Moon (Latin: Luna) is Earth's only natural satellite and the fifth largest natural satellite in the Solar System.
The Moon is the only celestial body to which humans have travelled and upon which humans have landed.
There are plans in the works (in the U.S. and Japan) to travel to the moon again, this time with thoughts of colonizing, working and living on it.
Listen to the the following video:
Here's an article from The Register:
NASA outlines moon base construction plans
Lunarcy
By Lucy Sherriff •
Posted in Space, 5th December 2006 10:26 GMT
NASA has outlined its plans for a moon base. The space agency says it will start work on the project after it has started flying astronauts to our largest satellite again in 2020.
After a wide-ranging international consultation, NASA decided the base should be solar powered, and most likely situated at one of the moon's poles. This maximises the amount of sunlight it will receive, and also puts the astronauts in one of the less-explored regions of the moon.
The base would eventually be a staging post for further exploration of the solar system, but initially it would be a place where humanity could learn "to live off the land" the agency said in a press announcement. It would also be a research outpost.
Building the base would be a long term project: NASA is planning an incremental build up with small crews making short visits to the moon, starting in 2020, while the moon base facilities are brought on line.
After several seven-day visits, the space agency says it will run longer missions, which will see crews stay on the moon for 180 days. This will help prepare for missions to Mars.
All this would be preceded by robotic exploration missions that would survey the land and reduce the risk for a human mission.
Reuters reports that funds for the moon base will be diverted from the Shuttle program, once the current fleet is retired in 2010. ®
My hope is that I live to see it!
“Man is now able to soar into outer space and reach up to the moon; but he is not moral enough to live at peace with his neighbor!”
“Man is now able to soar into outer space and reach up to the moon; but he is not moral enough to live at peace with his neighbor!”
Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Indian Spiritual leader, b.1926)
15 comments:
That's a wonderful post about the moon, Mary. I do believe when she's full of herself I am at my craziest. There's no science to back me up, but I believe it anyway.
Dear teach Mary,
Maybe, just maybe, the human urge to challenge boundaries is leading creation forwards. Then again a civilization using zillions on space programs, and zeros on housing programs is running away from its problems rather than dealing with them?
I donnow.
I remember being on Trafalgar Square 07.20.69 around midnight European time. It was electric. The world literally stood still while all were focusing on the ongoing landing. The applause. The news paper boys cryin MAN ON THE MOON minutes after Armstrong's words about the steps.
And Donovan's song about the intergalactic laxative to set it all in perspective.
How sweet and innocent were we not.
From Felisol
You have a great moon Mary! :D
This is awesome! What colours! Fantastic...
Only problem is, it should have been done over thirty years ago. Still, better late than never - IF it goes ahead.
Great Moon post! A fascinating celestial body, and all the more so for having been "touched by Man" (Or hasn't it?)
Oh my! I would love to go on Moon. I don't think I will ever have enough money to do that though :o)
We have come so far, that I think, maybe I'm a little scared. Just maybe we could upset the balance of things we don't yet understand.
I remember the first landing so well. What a day!
Thank you! 2 raffle tickets for you!
Happy MM! Remarkable information about the moon. I especially enjoyed learning about plans for future moon colonization by USA and Japan...
Thank you for visitng my blog today. I invite your blog readers to see my tribute to the Negro Space Program!
peace, Villager
What a great post about one of my favorite sights. I love the moon and everything to do with it. Great MM.
It's a pretty well known fact that when the moon is full, things get strange. Ask any police officer, EMT, emergency room doctor, or 911 dispatcher!
I think we should go back to the moon. And I think we'll have to if we have any designs on sending manned missions to Mars.
What a FABULOUS post, Mary!! I guess that, with the Earth being totally explored and inhabited, human kind can no longer "go West, young man, go West". I've often wished we could... sigh. Anyway, I guess we now have to head to other planets to fulfill that need. However, 'back in the day' it was done on horseback or in sailing ships... totally environmentally friendly!! Now, going to the Moon, and points further out, is damaging to the Earth's environment, and to outer space as well. All the fuel burned to send up one shuttle is incredible, and they're talking about it being a regular thing. Also, all the parts of the shuttles that break away and spend forever more floating around space.
Have a great week, Mary!!
Alice at I Was Born2Cree8
To the moon!
Really, considering we've had cars for a bit over 100 years, and it's been forty years since the moon landing - really, it's a wonder we're not more advanced into space.
I think people in 1968 would have believed that in 2008 there would already be a moon colony, wouldn't you?
Post a Comment