In an unprecedented effort, the United States Pentagon has unveiled plans to begin a long-term research project to determine how it can begin to establish an economy on the moon within 10 years.
The envisioned economy will be built on a framework of scientific and technological advancements that provide the foundation for a unique habitat for lunar settlers. The research effort, announced on Wednesday, will focus on a wide range of issues, from engineering and mining operations to finance and supply chain solutions.
The research work will be conducted by a triumvirate combination of the United States Department of Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
Among the issues detailed in the Pentagon’s study are the obstacles posed by “technology immaturity”, such as innovations required to produce fuel, food, shelter, safeguarding, and communication for astronauts in space.
In addition, the endeavor will explore ways to integrate existing and future technologies –– such as 3D printing, robotics, and artificial intelligence –– which can be used to develop an entire lunar economy.
The development of an economy on the moon will require a significant investment of time and capital. The project’s launch has already attracted interest from a variety of groups, such as venture capitalists, space enthusiasts, and even experts in the tourism field.
Pentagon officials estimate that the study will take at least 18 months to complete. If fully implemented, the project could drastically reduce the cost of travel to and from Earth’s natural satellite, opening up the possibility of regular lunar tourism within a decade.
Establishing an economy on the moon may also affect the geopolitical landscape. The resources extracted from the outer space environment could potentially become the basis of a new global superpower in the 21st century.
At the same time, the monetary value of the endeavor could potentially be incalculable, depending on the commercial uses of the newfound goods and services.
Ultimately, the Pentagon’s research project could prove to be a historic breakthrough in space exploration and a crucial step towards making human colonization of the moon a reality.
