The Moon: Resources, Future Development and Colonization (Wiley–Praxis Series in Space Science and Technology) - Hardcover

Schrunk, David; Sharpe, Burton; Cooper, Bonnie; Thangavelu, Madhu

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0471976350 ISBN 13: 9780471976356

Publisher: Wiley–Blackwell, 1999

Synopsis

Taking the reader from plans already at an advanced stage for the next 10 years, well into the next century, this work discusses the rationale for future activities, and shows how this future development could take place. The book shows the potential for lunar bases and colonies, and shows that it is an ideal site for scientific laboratories dedicated to geosciences, astronomy and life sciences, and most importantly its role as a proving ground and launch pad for future Solar System exploration.

About this title

About the Author

David Schrunk received his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering at lowa State University and his M.D. at the University of lowa. His experience includes periods at NASA's Manned Spaceflight Center, the US Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, McDonnell-Douglas Astronautics and the University of Missouri. He is founder of the Science of Laws Institute.

Burton Sharpe has 36 years' experience in aerospace-related management, systems engineering and flight operations in both government and private industry. He worked at NASA's Johnson Space Center during the Apollo Moon missions, then on the Viking Mars programme, and trained NASA flight controllers.

Bonnie Cooper received her B.S. in Geology and her Ph.D. in Geosciences, both at the University of Texas. She has worked in the petroleum industry at the University of Texas, and at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Recently she was involved in the analysis of images of the Moon acquired by NASA's Clementine spacecraft.

Madhu Thangavelu conducts the Space Exploration Architectures Concept Synthesis Studio in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Southern California. He is an Alumnus of the International Space University, and has published original concepts of space system architectures. He is Vice Chairman for Education Programs in the Los Angeles Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

From the Back Cover

In the past five years, there has been growing interest in the idea of an immediate return to the Moon, and its development as a platform for science, industrialization and exploration of our Solar System and beyond. This book describes the reasons why we should now return to lunar development and settlement, and how this goal may be accomplished. In The Moon: Resources, Future Development and Colonization, the authors consider the rationale and steps necessary for establishing permanent bases on the Moon. Their innovative and scientific-based analysis concludes that the Moon has sufficient resources for large-scale human development. Their case for development includes arguments for a solar-powered electric grid and railroad, creation of a utilities infrastructure, habitable facilities, scientific operations and the involvement of private enterprise with the public sector in the macroproject. By transferring and adapting existing technologies to the lunar environment, it will be possible to use lunar resources and solar power to build a global lunar power-communication-transportation-manufacturing infrastructure. This will support the migration of increasing numbers of people from Earth, and realization of the Moon's scientific potential. As an inhabited world, the Moon will become a centre for Solar System exploration, human settlement, and exploitation of the resources of near-Earth objects. The development on the Moon of an 'off-Earth economy' will result in substantial benefits on our home planet. Readership: Undergraduate and postgraduate students in astronautics, space science, life sciences, space engineering and technology. Professional space scientists, engineers and technologists in space projects, and those interested in the future human space programme and exploitation of Solar System resources. Space enthusiasts with a particular interest in the future development and colonization of the Moon.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley–Blackwell
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0471976350
• ISBN 13: 9780471976356
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 466