Tranquillity Base Protection & Preservation
- Paper number
IAC-05-E5.P.05
- Author
Mr. Cian Curran, Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland
- Year
2005
- Abstract
IAF: E5.2. Cultural Dimensions of Space Author: Cian Curran, School of Architecture DIT, Dublin Ireland I intend to outline the procedures and considerations related to my proposal; the design, assembly and deployment of a structure to protect and preserve the landing site of Apollo 11 at the Sea of Tranquillity on the moon. The idea or importance of preserving and maintaining the artefacts of Mankind’s finest achievements needs no explanation or elaboration. However, while most interested parties seem to be calling for the introduction of an enclosure with a view to stopping stray tourists and robots kicking dust into the 1969 Astronauts footprints, there seems to be little talk about protecting the site from possible meteorite and solar attack. The structure is to be constructed on Earth and or in microgravity. Materials used should not be lunar in origin <for reasons related to performance, quality control, production requirements, lunar environmental standards> and should be suited to prefabricated structure design. The use of smart materials for both ease of deployment and in situ impact resistance may prove most appropriate. Failing this, alternatives such as Kevlar or equal approved would be considered. It is to be designed with the payload capacities of the delivery spacecraft in mind. The structure is to be delivered to site in a manner appropriate to the sensitivity of the site and in a manner consistent with good space transportation policy and construction management. All development, site works and deployment are to be conducted within the boundaries of the UN’s ‘Moon Treaty’ and would be subject to the findings of a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment. The structure is to be designed in such a manner as to be able to withstand loads such as meteorite impact, full spectrum solar radiation, future robotic and human traffic and other hazards both Lunar and Extra Lunar in origin. I also believe that International agreements pertaining to the site should be re examined with a view to outlining rights and obligations relating to the use of the site for the purposes of tourism, scientific investigation and other. As a result of such a development, the thirty six year old site of mans first landing on an extraterrestrial body would be preserved and defended from any further potentially damaging interference <environmental or human and robotic> which may otherwise occur. The protected site and its associated planetary importance could even serve as an ‘Acropolis’ to an Antarctic style scientific research base, the passive surveillance from which would be invaluable to ongoing maintenance of the site. Also, in taking such steps we would avoid being condemned as idiots by future space faring generations looking to show their children how and where mankind took its first steps out into the vast oceans of the cosmos. We should intervene as soon as possible because if the lunar surface tells us anything, it’s that everything of value on this site may not survive the next thirty six years.
- Abstract document