5 reasons why people go back to the Moon

NASA believes that by 2030 humans will be back on the Moon and living there. The mission that would take the colonists to Earth’s natural satellite would be Artemis 3.

NASA recently started the Artemis 1 program, which is to collect information and test new technologies, such as the Orion shuttle or the SLS rocket.

Some people wonder why is satellite colonization so important? The ‘Back to the Moon’ episode of NOVA TV explains the top five reasons why people want to return to the Moon after 50 years.

1. To study water

Water is essential for life on Earth, but also on other space bodies, including the Moon. According to observations made by the Chandrayaan-1 and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) probes, there are vast regions of ice on the Moon. Then, data from the Strategic Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) again showed that water is present in the Clavius crater, at a concentration of about 350 ml per cubic metre of soil.

2. The Moon provides insights into the evolution of the solar system

The material of which Earth’s satellite is composed contains information about the formation and evolution of our solar system, since its appearance some 4.56 billion years ago. This data is essential for understanding how the Earth formed and what events may lie ahead.

3. To find the resources needed for a

Building a base on the Moon is impractical using materials brought exclusively from Earth, as transporting them would cost tens of billions of dollars. Some minerals from the satellite could be used for construction, research so far suggests.

4. Moon ice can be turned into fuel, water and air

Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen, and if the two elements can be separated and stored on site, then highly efficient fuels are available to Moon colonists. Both elements are flammable and can be used to propel rockets. So the Moon’s ice can provide water, air and fuel for exploring the solar system.

5. Lava tubes can become shelters

On the Moon, humans need shelters to keep out radiation and have somewhere to work. One solution is to build underground shelters. There are lava tubes there, formed billions of years ago. Some of them may be empty.

Also read: NASA criticizes SpaceX plans to put 30,000 satellites into orbit: Too much “junk”