Potential evolution of an international moon base programme
Abstract
The Moon is a major target in expanding human activity in Space. President Bush has called for a Space Exploration Initiative. European participation may depend on achieving an affordable programme and identifying distinct elements for non-U.S. participation. Affordability requires that all participants can influence the "cost to user" of Base operations. If lunar activity is to evolve towards resource exploitation, there will need to be a progressive reduction in operating costs. European interest would prefer participation that allowed longer-term independent interests. The paper addresses how non-U.S. agencies could contribute valuable elements to an International Moon Base while meeting three criteria: — Keep a core infrastructure under U.S. control.
— Avoid a total reliance by the partner on U.S. services. — Allow the partner to evolve towards an eventual, semi-autonomous or autonomous capability. The paper illustrates possible implications of meeting these constraints through "mini infrastructures" combining several elements to form a working architecture. It is concluded that any European participation in an International Moon Base Programme should contain both Space transport and surface elements.- Publication:
-
Acta Astronautica
- Pub Date:
- December 1992
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0094-5765(92)90129-7
- Bibcode:
- 1992AcAau..26..889C
- Keywords:
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- International Cooperation;
- Lunar Bases;
- Lunar Landing;
- Lunar Resources;
- Cost Reduction;
- Solar System;
- Space Exploration;
- Space Transportation;
- Astronautics (General)