Permanent Landing Site Development on the Lunar Surface
- Paper number
IAC-07-A3.I.A.21
- Author
Mr. Jon A. Greenspon, StarGate Research, Inc., United States
- Year
2007
- Abstract
Tomorrow’s lunar endeavours will necessitate the large-scale coordination of transport activity: both in build up of the lunar colony, and its maintenance. In preparation for the return of man to the Moon, and planned explorations of Mars, a logical permanent landing site will need to be established. This permits the deployment of logistics from a central source, as opposed to happenstance landings across the lunar surface.
In this paper, we present a capabilities examination of systems that are required for providing both autonomous and crewed operations, cost-efficient means to accomplish the tasks, and potential hazards to such operations. Simple questions can be readily dealt with, such as:
- Given the choice of potential landing sites, where does one “drop” a spaceport that is accessible to all parties?
- How is control of the complex handled, by joint declaration, straw votes, or what?
- Is it logical to make the spaceport a priority, or does it develops through colonial maturity?
It is entirely possible, in fact plausible, that a “spaceport” can and will be founded prior to intense lunar undertakings. The initial setup only requires three launches, and can support a variety of ventures.
- Abstract document