As a space enthusiast with a lifelong fascination for everything cosmic, I find myself constantly drawn to stories that explore humanity’s future among the stars. The idea of establishing permanent habitats off Earth has always been intriguing, yet challenging. In my opinion, the depiction of such endeavors in shows like SYFY’s “The Ark” and the classic 1975 series “Space: 1999” (now streaming on Peacock) offers a captivating glimpse into our potential lunar and interstellar destiny.
In many science fiction tales, human civilization extends its presence permanently into space. These fictional worlds depict innovative methods for living sustainably in space over extended timeframes. In these extraterrestrial settings, our bodies would be vulnerable to microgravity, increased radiation, and unfamiliar environments. For even brief stays, it’s essential that we bring along the comforts of our home environment.
In order to address that issue, SYFY’s show The Ark kept its passengers in suspended animation. Had they remained in this state throughout their journey, everything would have turned out smoothly. Unfortunately, their spacecraft sustained damage, many crew members perished, and now they are stranded in the vastness of space. In contrast, the 1975 science fiction series Space: 1999 (currently available on Peacock) maintains a more Earth-bound setting initially. Researchers established a research station called Moonbase Alpha within a lunar crater.
A fictional underground facility, around a kilometer deep beneath the moon’s surface, serves as a permanent home for astronauts and scientists. Unfortunately, an accident involving nuclear waste on the opposite side of the moon triggered an explosion reminiscent of a powerful rocket engine, causing Moonbase Alpha (alongside the rest of the moon) to depart into deep space. Despite its fantastical nature, the concept of a semi-underground Moonbase could be quite similar to what we may eventually develop.
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Future Moon Bases Could Be Built Inside Underground Lava Tube Caves
A large crater, known as Mare Tranquillitatis, is situated approximately 230 miles northeast of the Apollo 11 landing location on the Moon’s surface. This crater was initially discovered in 2009, and since then, researchers have been examining it and similar ones to determine if they could potentially serve as viable lunar residential areas. This is a complex task, given that the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) must study these features from several miles above the Moon’s surface.
As the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) orbits around the Moon in its curved path, it captures images of the crater from different perspectives. When it passes directly above the crater, it looks straight down to the bottom, and when approaching or departing, it catches a peek beyond the rim of the crater. This allows astronomers to confirm that a network of lava tube caves, roughly 300 feet deep, exists beneath the lunar surface.
Researchers hypothesize that the caves on the Moon originated from old lava tunnels formed during the Moon’s more active geological past. As ancient lunar magma surged upwards, it sculpted passages through the rock, draining and leaving behind channels. In certain areas, these subterranean tubes have since caved in, creating surface entrances. Over the past few years, hundreds of such entry points have been found, and experts suspect that a dozen or more of them might lead to extensive underground cave networks.
Despite the ongoing exploration and understanding of these caves, they might be ideal for a lunar habitat due to their potential benefits. A few hundred feet of rock could offer substantial protection for lunar explorers against the extreme conditions of space. Temperatures on the Moon fluctuate significantly, reaching 260 degrees Fahrenheit during sunlight and plummeting to a chilling -280 degrees Fahrenheit during lunar night. Additionally, the Moon’s slow rotation results in a day-night cycle lasting approximately two weeks.
On the lunar surface, bases must contend with dramatic temperature fluctuations every two weeks, however, a subterranean Moonbase could circumvent some of these extremes. Examination of Mare Tranquillitatis uncovered perpetually shadowed regions at the base that maintain a constant 63 degrees. Scientists speculate that interconnected cave networks would exhibit similar temperatures. It may not be a traditional tropical getaway, but its consistent climate makes it feasible for operation.
One potential downside is that, after successfully reaching the stars, we’ll find ourselves unable to view them from under several hundred feet of rock.
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2024-08-01 01:01