Final Project

Spencer C.

Legislator:  Paul J. Hilbert, Representative

Moon Rocks

What use is a barren rock that is 384,400 kilometers away from the Earth. Why should we waste our money and materials to explore a place like this when Mars is a more suitable place for humans to live? These are questions that are frequently asked by people who want to rush ahead without thinking things through. The moon is a perfect place for experiments that are not capable on earth, a stepping stone to mars, to mine materials that are growing scarce on earth and producing rocket fuel for refueling space craft.

The first reason for returning to the moon is the experimental possibilities for the human race. Space is almost completely alien to humans, which means that we know only small amounts of information about space. The effects of no gravitation, galactic cosmic rays and solar radiation are not known yet and are essential parts to human survival in outerspace. The moon provides an ideal place to test the effects of these issues because it is non-inhabited, has no weather and it is seismically sound. Also the effects on the mind of humans are not known in outer space. Humans have grown up and matured in a world that has little isolation; however, in space due to the lack of oxygen a constant isolated environment is needed. The moon again provides a place of study for the "psychological issues raised by long duration in isolation" (earth station moon 3). Dr. Paul Spudis, a lunar scientist states, " The moon is a place to learn to live and work in space" before moving on to Mars. Also he says, "It has great scientific potential in geoscience, physics, astronomy, and life science" (earth station moon 3). The moons low gravitation, its high vacuum, seismic stability, low temperatures and low radio noise on the far side make a unique place to conduct experiments. These conditions could lead to special results like a cure to cancer and more efficient engines. The moons unique far side may be the only place in space where radio telescopes can be used to their highest potential. Just think of potential that these telescopes would have if they were performing at their greatest capabilities. It might make the difference in finding alien life. Also the moon does not have a magnetic field which is another difference in performing experiments on earth and on the moon. The moon is still a perfect place to conduce experiments that could one day save the human race.

Another advantage of returning to the moon is the ability to produce rocket fuel from the moon's soil. This is accomplished by extracting oxygen from the soil and storing it in storage tanks. This production of fuel will not only help save the environment here on earth but will also allow extended stay in space for study. Also in 1951 GVE Thompson speculated that hydrogen, water (from ice deposits), helium, ammonia, oxygen, lithium and hydrocarbon are all available to produce nuclear rocket propellants (earth station moon 2). Thompson speculates that fuel can be produced at a rate of 1 ton per hour. Also this production plant will eventually be dependent on solar power which will make it totally independent. This production of fuel will enable spacecraft to travel further in space. However the current goal is Mars which the moon and this extra fuel would make a great stopping place for the mission. Massive amounts of rocket fuel can be produced on the lunar surface, which is another reason for returning to the moon.

Next, the moon can be used as a stepping stone in the exploration of mars. After taking off from Earth, which wastes a lot of fuel, the spacecraft can land on the moon where auxiliary fuel tanks can be added and the originals filled with fuel produced on the moon. This will allow the spacecraft to safely gain fuel and travel on to mars. Also on the way back the original fuel tanks can be filled again and the auxiliary tanks dropped off for future use. Also the oxygen tanks of the spacecraft can be filled on the lunar surface which will also extend the distance the ship can travel. All my life I have learned that to achieve something great you have to take little steps, so why is it that people want to just take "the giant leap" to Mars with out using this "small step" which was provided? Using the moon as a buffer zone between Earth and Mars is another reason why future missions to the moon will pay off.

The last reason why future exploration of the moon will prove to be beneficial is the mining of materials that humans have stripped the Earth of. "From Apollo we know that the moon has large supplies of silicon, iron, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, titanium and oxygen" (earth station moon 5). All of these materials are being used and mined in large quantities from the earth. This new supply of materials is desperately needed because the Earth can no longer supply an efficient amount. These materials are not only needed on Earth but are also needed to build a lunar space facility. Building a space facility on the moon would be inexpensive and easy due to the lack of high gravitation. Also lunar soil can be melted down and made into ceramics and lunar bricks that can aid in the building of a space station. There is also uncertainty to how much ice there is on the moon so to find out we must return to the moon. The moon is filled with vital materials needed to continue living as we do now.

The moon is an environment that will allow humans to conduct new experiments, produce rocket fuels, mine heavily needed materials and use the lunar surface as a stepping stone to mars. I believe that Future exploration of the moon is not an If but is a must. The moon has so much to offer the human race in knowledge and material that for us to over look it would be not only crazy but also hypocritical. We as a whole are always searching for cures and ways to save the world and now that we have found a way to over look it would be hypocritical. We have to return to the moon. It is a way to better our society, our lives and our world.

Last Updated: 07/09/01