Lorraine Andros, age 14, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, for her question:
Is it possible to colonize the moon?
Many space agers would love to visit the moon though few of us yearn to settle there as permanent residents, at least for the present. However, human nature being what it is, mankind always attempts the possible if only to discover farther goals. Every new voyage of discovery stretches our minds to wider horizons and the lunar landing was one of history's greatest mind stretchers. For the first time, our dreams extend beyond our home planet. We know that space travel to other worlds is possible and someday we are sure to try colonizing the moon.
On earth, a colony is a settled community that usually depends on a country of origin for basic necessities. But colonists tend to be hardy characters with built in drives to stand on their own feet. They strive to develop their talents and local assets and trade them on equal terms. Finally they become self supporting. Our luxurious planet provides abundant supplies to speed up this process. But the harsh moon offers nothing but its barren landscape. Countless problems must be solved to make even minimum human survival possible.
Almost certainly a human colony of permanent residents could settle on the moon. But the unique problems involved are enormous and so is the expense. Let's assume that we have the surplus money for the project and ate willing to invest it. The undertaking is unlike any colonization on our planet. On earth, every new colony found water and free air. They also found local plants and soil for cultivating crops. On earth, these standard items go with the territory.
The moon has neither air nor water to offer human colonists. There are no native lunar animals, no plants to provide oxygen or food. Besides the climate is unearthly, to say nothing of the calendar. Temperatures range above 200 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime and plunge to minus 270 degrees Fahrenheit during the night. The lunar day lasts two earth weeks and so does the lunar night. Aside from the absence of breathable air, there is no atmosphere to shield the human body from penetrating solar radiation, cosmic rays and other bombarding hazards of open space.
Lunar colonists must arrive with fool proof protections and total supplies for mere survival. And all this equipment must be shipped from the earth, some 240,000 miles across space. Oh yes, all this is possible and you can bet that someday we shall try it. Space scientists suggest a large dome to house the colonists. It would be filled with breathable air and temperature controlled. Inside, soil would be prepared for trees and greenery to replenish the oxygen and maybe supply fresh vegetables. The dome would be an artificial earth environment, a home away from home. But when a colonist ventures outside, he must wear a protective space suit and carry the oxygen he needs for the entire trip. True, this is an immense project. But already we suspect that there are enough advantages to make it all worthwhile. In any case, human nature being what it is, we are bound to attempt it.
In time, there is a good chance that a lunar colony may more than repay us. However, scientists say that prospecting for lunar gold is impractical, even though a few atoms were found in the rock samples. But some lunar minerals are not found on earth and we may find uses for them. From those airless skies, astronomers can probe deeper into outer space. The lighter gravity may prove helpful to our sick and old folk. And from the lunar surface, less fuel would be needed to launch our future star'shlps.