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from the Mike-and-Manny-and-Wyo-say-"Hi!" dept.
https://phys.org/news/2017-09-moon-lunar-village.html (AFP)
By 2040, a hundred people will live on the Moon, melting ice for water, 3D-printing homes and tools, eating plants grown in lunar soil, and competing in low-gravity, "flying" sports.
To those who mock such talk as science fiction, experts such as Bernard Foing, ambassador of the European Space Agency-driven "Moon Village" scheme, reply the goal is not only reasonable but feasible too.
At a European Planetary Science Congress in Riga this week, Foing spelt out how humanity could gain a permanent foothold on Earth's satellite, and then expand.
He likened it to the growth of the railways, when villages grew around train stations, followed by businesses.
By 2030, there could be an initial lunar settlement of six to 10 pioneers—scientists, technicians and engineers—which could grow to 100 by 2040, he predicted.
"In 2050, you could have a thousand and then... naturally you could envisage to have family" joining crews there, Foing told AFP .
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday September 26 2017, @09:01AM (3 children)
I am certain there will be many volunteers willing to take a one way ticket to the moon.
In 20 or 30 years, assuming the kids are independent and my wife will agree to come with, I will be willing to do it myself (I'm 34 now).
I turned out alright even though my father died when I was 21, so I think mine should be fine with their parents on the moon.
It would probably be extremely painful to not be able to hug grandkids, but why waste young people on building the colony, when I'd most likely still be reasonably healthy, while at the same time more or less expendable?
(Score: 2) by GreatAuntAnesthesia on Tuesday September 26 2017, @09:23AM
Maybe the grandkids can come visit. A retirement on the moon might be quite nice, since low gravity will help mitigate the arthritis and mobility issues of old age.
(Score: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday September 26 2017, @10:38AM
Not a problem, telehaptics VR can already solve that. Smell will have to wait a little, though, but they are working on that too.
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Wednesday September 27 2017, @01:43AM
I've said before: I WILL volunteer to help start a base on the moon. I would not volunteer to DIE on Mars.
I agree with the article: build a base on the moon and use it to go to Mars. Meanwhile, try setting up a colony on the moon, work out bugs and use them for success on Mars.
Moon first.
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---