Irina Westerberg

A Manufacture System for a Self-sufficient Lunar Colony: Basic Facts and Suitable Methods Irina Westerberg

Why explore a dead planet? Is it worth the efforts? The great advantages by doing advanced scientific experiments and observations on the far side of the moon are the lack of atmosphere and it is shielded from the electromagnetic noise and light emitted by Earth. For many years now, a large number of scientists and engineers have been planning in detail for that possibility. The results are carefully gathered and valuated from several different samples collected from the Moon and even advanced Satellite photos shows that it is possible to build a self-sufficient Lunar Colony. Most of the needs for this colony can be supported by the moon itself. The Regolith (lunar dust) contains almost every element we need for our survival. The issue is to adapt it by mining activities and the capability to store it in a proper way. The size of the colony would be at least five hundred people of various ages, gender, and skills. It is a hardworking and dangerous existence and both technical (e.g. basic manufacturing tools and methods) and psychological issues have to be solved. Hopefully the Lunar Colony can be a reality in close future and we all can gain the outcome of this great expedition.