Ask A Scientist© Engineering Archive

Index Key:   ENG023
Author:      mary f smith
Subject:     Building construction on the Moon.
How long will it take before anyone can build something on the moon?

Response #:  1 of 1
Author:      rickru
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 is
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.