June 30th, 2022 |
Written By Ian Ching for Beyond Earth Institute
A Beyond Earth Institute Webinar Discussion:
Join us on Jul 21, 2022 at 2pm ET for an in-depth discussion on the Artemis Base Camp. Our confirmed panelists include Peter Garretson, an expert in defense studies at the American Foreign Policy Council. He was also a visiting lecturer at the United States Air Force Academy, where he taught Space Policy and operations. Peter Garretson also currently works as a consultant on space and defense policy. Along with Vishnu Reddy, an Associate Professor at the University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and Director of the Planetary Science and Discovery Program. He has also written extensively on Planetary defense. Peter Garretson and Vishnu Reddy will also be joined by other industry participants in Artemis.
The Beyond Earth Institute looks forward to your participation!
Artemis Base Camp: A Trailhead for Sustainable Lunar Development?
A Beyond Earth Institute Webinar Discussion
July 21st at 2 pm
Featuring:
Peter Garretson – Senior Fellow in Defense Studies, American Foreign Policy Council
Vishnu Reddy – Associate Professor, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona
Additional Speakers TBD
To learn more: https://beyondearth.org/beyond-earth-webinar-july-21-2022/
To register: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/beyondearthinstitute/725706
The United States is in the midst of a resurgence in space exploration. Government and private corporations have invested billions of dollars into developing the next generation of launch vehicles, landers, and supporting systems. NASA is preparing to retire the International Space Station within the next decade, shifting its focus to the Artemis Program. Under which, the United States aims to return humans to the Moon by 2024 according to original Artemis plans.
The core purpose of Artemis is to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon. The Artemis Base Camp will be humanity’s stepping stone to establishing our existence beyond the Earth. This journey of exploration, as outlined in NASA’s Artemis Plans for 2017, will require collaboration within numerous sectors of industry and among international partners. According to NASA’s Artemis Plan, the Base Camp will run 1-2 month missions to the lunar surface. These will serve as the test bed for future space technologies and the eventual exploration of Mars. Some prominent controversies with the Artemis Plans are criticisms of the highly ambitious timeline for human landings in 2024 and the lack of a clear path for how the United States will establish a permanent settlement on the Moon.
The Moon is a key destination for future investments, and there is growing recognition of the need to develop a robust plan for post-Artemis lunar development. Our panel discussion will focus on how the Artemis Base Camp may grow as our knowledge of the permanent lunar settlement expands. We will also tackle the policy issues that need to be resolved for humans to build a lunar economy that can justify the permanent settlement on the lunar surface.
Backgrounder:
Unlike the fleeting touch-and-go missions of the Apollo era, Artemis is the pathway to a permanent human presence on the Moon. The landing zone at Moon’s southern pole is strategically located to minimize the variance in extreme temperatures and allow easy access to permanently shaded areas. In anticipation of lunar resource extraction, the location of the landing zone around the Shackleton crater provides ample access to water ice. The crater is also expected to contain significant mineral deposits, which could be utilized in future missions.
The Moon contains several valuable resources that could be exploited for economic and future gain. For example, the Moon is rich in Helium-3, a rare isotope that could be used in future fusion reactors. Fusion power is a clean and safe alternative to traditional forms of energy, and it has the potential to revolutionize the way we power our homes and businesses. In addition to Helium-3, the Moon also contains a number of other minerals and metals, including titanium and silicon, that could support a lunar economy.
NASA’s Plan for Sustained Lunar Exploration and Development is “A core focus of Artemis is to extend the nation’s geo-strategic and economic sphere to encompass the Moon with international partners and private industry.” The United States’ return to the Moon would signal that America is still the global leader in Space exploration. The permanent settlement of the Moon is expected to breed a vibrant, spaced-based economy, fueling the development of new technologies that will benefit all humankind.
The NASA Artemis Plans rely heavily on pre-staging the landing zone before the first crewed landings on the Lunar South Pole. The Artemis base camp will consist of one unpressurized rover, one pressurized “Habitability Mobility Platform,” and the lunar habitat. Such systems must be pre-positioned before the first long-term visit. Beyond simply building the physical infrastructure of the Artemis Base Camp, commercial and political issues will have to be addressed on earth if humans are to remain on the Moon long term. Long-term planning for sustained lunar settlement development is critical for a mission’s success. NASA’s ultimate aim to establish a permanent presence on the Moon will require significant financial commitments. To ensure long-term funding for a permanent lunar outpost, a strong case will have to be made for these missions’ commercial opportunities and scientific value. The panel will discuss how specific goals and mission objectives may fit into the overall priorities of the Federal Budget.
The Moon has unique geology that could be studied to gain a better understanding of our planet. Lunar development has the potential to create new jobs and industries. The construction of a lunar settlement would require the expertise of professionals ranging from engineers, architects, and psychologists to astronauts and everyone in-between. In addition, the operation of a lunar base or settlement would create a need for earth-based support staff, including scientists, medical personnel, and much more. The development of the Moon could also have spillover effects that would benefit the United States economy as a whole. For example, new technologies and infrastructure for lunar operations could be applied to areas such as Mars exploration. New advanced techniques for manufacturing space hardware could have different applications for other industries on earth.
The debate on how the Artemis Base Camp could be expanded to support a larger population will touch on collaboration with industry, political will, public support, and international commitments. In terms of moon settlement designs, there are many proposals.
One such proposal is to create an International Lunar Base Station, jointly operated by multiple nations and serve as a hub for lunar research and exploration. This proposed base station could be expanded over time to support a larger population and allow for greater international collaboration, as is the spirit of the Artemis Accords. This proposal would be a primarily government-headed initiative, setting up the infrastructure for the private sector to follow.
Another proposal would see NASA expand its Public-Private partnership to create commercial lunar settlements. Such settlements would be operated and owned by a private company, open to contracts from NASA and other interested entities. It has been argued that such a partnership would help build the foundations for a moon economy, allowing for rapid expansion and sustainable interest in staying long-term.
No matter what approach is taken, it is clear that any expansion of the Artemis Base Camp will need to be carefully planned and coordinated. It will require the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including NASA, international partners, and the private sector. With the right policies and partnerships in place, there is no doubt that a long-term human presence on the Moon is within our reach.
