Moon Base

Just a thought or two on the projected Moon Base.
Pictures that I have seen so far are square or round objects on the surface,
and wondered if these are realistic views of the base.
Only the first thing that springs to mind is the vulnerabilty to meteor
strikes, even the micro meteors could be devastating especially to an human
with just a spacesuit for protection.
So I would have thought the base would be better underground or atleast
covered with moon dust.
Which then my thoughts go to thinking about all those meteor craters one
these could be utilised as the foundation of a Moon Base, using a ready made
free hole in the ground.
Moon dust could be used as a mortar with a special cement.
Utilising stuff already on hand is what it should be all about.

Better yet:

Take a moon bulldozer. Scoop out a trench. Save the regolith 'dirt'.

Lay the hab module in the trench. Cover it with 'dirt' and mound it
up a bit. Either leave one door end of the hab module out in the
open, with a ramp leading from the surface down to it (think basement
steps) or attach a tunnel / ladder to the hab and completely cover it.

You have the added benefits of micrometeor protection, protection from
solar flare radiation (storm shelter), protection from cosmic rays and
other sources of radiation, and protection from radical temp swings
due to direct sun / night for 2 weeks. Plus, you have more thermal
mass for insulation, so it is going to be easy to keep at a
comfortable temp with little energy expended.



On Sat, 9 Dec 2006 00:07:24 -0000, "danny" wrote:

Just a thought or two on the projected Moon Base.
Pictures that I have seen so far are square or round objects on the surface,
and wondered if these are realistic views of the base.
Only the first thing that springs to mind is the vulnerabilty to meteor
strikes, even the micro meteors could be devastating especially to an human
with just a spacesuit for protection.
So I would have thought the base would be better underground or atleast
covered with moon dust.
Which then my thoughts go to thinking about all those meteor craters one
these could be utilised as the foundation of a Moon Base, using a ready made
free hole in the ground.
Moon dust could be used as a mortar with a special cement.
Utilising stuff already on hand is what it should be all about.