Humans seem naturally inclined to explore the unknown. From Manifest
Destiny to the New Frontier and beyond, Americans and their colonial ancestors have
proven this point by exploring (and conquering) new lands. Today, humanity has
long since explored every habitable area on planet Earth.
With our ever-expanding population, is it time to explore
other places to live? According to a recent NBC poll, 29.8% of respondents believed
that NASA will never return to the Moon. Some 32% said that the American space
agency would, but not in their lifetime.
One Giant Leap for
Mankind?
NASA plans to defy its doubters by building a lunar outpost
on the Moon. Construction will begin in 2019 and last five years. Fittingly, Congress
has directed that the U.S.
part of the lunar station be called the "Neil A. Armstrong Lunar Outpost", a
reference to the American astronaut who became the first human to set on the
moon in 1969.
On December 4, 2006, NASA concluded its Global Exploration
Strategy and Lunar Architecture Study. The result was a plan for a lunar
outpost near one of the Moon's poles that could permanently house astronauts in
six-month shifts. The outpost will be staffed by a mixed crew and supplied by
an Altair Lander that is capable of carrying four astronauts and a six-ton
payload to the Moon.
Current plans show an incremental buildup with four-person
crews making several seven-day visits to the Moon until their power supplies, rovers,
and living quarters are operational. This will begin in 2020, followed by 180-day
missions to prepare for journeys to Mars.
Projects and Polls
The justification that NASA provides for the project is
life-and-death. A lunar outpost isn't just about scientific exploration.
Rather, it's about extending the range of human habitat outside of Earth's
limits. "In the long run, a single-planet species will not survive. If we
humans want to survive for hundreds of thousands or millions of years, we must
ultimately populate other planets," the space agency explains.
A poll by the Discovery Channel reveals that 73% of respondents
favor returning to the Moon as a stepping stone towards other endeavors, with only
27% opposed. What do you think? Join the discussion by leaving a comment below.
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