Ask A Scientist© Engineering Archive

Index Key:   ENG014
Author:      mary f 
Subject:     Building on the moon
Text:        How long will it take before anyone can build something on the 
moon?

Response #:  1 of 1
Author:      rickru
Text:        There cannot really be an exact answer to this question, but I 
can comment on my opinion.  Currently, NASA has their hands full with several 
programs, namely the Hubble Telescope, the Space Shuttle fleet, and several 
orbiters to explore the Solar System.  Naturally the cost of these programs is 
enormous, and in a time of a real money crunch, the Congress/President are not 
likely to push for any immediate action on anything which would not yield 
immediate or at least near-future useful gains.  I suspect given all the lunar 
explorations and activity in space using the Shuttles for launch of 
satellites, and repair of the Hubble telescope, that we actually at this time 
have all the technology and skill to build a structure on the moon, but it 
does not seem that NASA would propose doing this soon because we really do not 
stand to gain anything really useful at this time by doing so.  NASA, I 
believe would be more interested in building a permanent orbiting space 
station (closer to Earth) which could be serviced by the current Shuttle 
fleet, where larger scale "experiments in space" like the ones done on each 
Shuttle mission could be expanded.  If in the future someone would propose a 
"moon building" which would be cost-effective (meaning its usefulness 
outweighs its cost) then they might have a chance getting the Congress to 
approve the plan.