How Humans Will Colonize the Moon in this Century
Have you ever imagined humans living permanently on the lunar surface without needing to visit Earth for resupplies after we colonize the moon? Thinking about this future may appear like something taken from science fiction stories. However, the fact remains that humans are going back to the moon to stay there permanently.
NASA promised to lead this exciting future starting with its Artemis 3 crewed mission in September 2026. The American space agency has already contracted SpaceX for the crewed lunar lander, Axiom Space for the Extra Vehicular spacesuit, and many other agencies for different engineering services that will enable Artemis Astronauts to conduct their operations on the moon with ease.
So what happens next after the Artemis 3 mission? How are we going to colonize the moon in this century? Continue reading to find out.
The Beginning of Lunar Colonization
On July 20th, 1969, NASA astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin did the impossible by landing the Eagle Lander on the lunar surface for the first step. After the success of the first Apollo mission, NASA proceeded to send more than 10 astronauts to the lunar surface, with NASA astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt becoming the last humans to leave the moon on December 14th, 1972.
These first Apollo missions to the moon may appear like a tiny step to lunar colonization. But, they actually paved the way for NASA to see the possibility of establishing a permanent human presence on the moon.
Now, NASA has officially commenced with its Artemis space program to return humans to the moon and establish permanent human presence in the closest largest celestial body to us. The American Space Agency successfully accomplished its Artemis 1 mission, where they flew an uncrewed spacecraft around the moon.
The entire world celebrated the success of that mission and anticipated a more fascinating future of humans on the moon starting with the Artemis crewed program. In 2023, NASA announced its plan to send humans around the moon during the Artemis 2 mission in September 2025. This historic mission by a manned mission to the moon the following year.
The return of humans to the moon
In September 2026, NASA will land its first Artemis astronauts on the lunar south pole aboard the SpaceX starship. Upon landing, the astronauts will commence with the primary goal of the mission. They will explore the lunar terrains making advanced discoveries for humankind.
The crew may spend about a week on the lunar surface, driving around its surface with the crewed Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) which NASA is currently developing for its Artemis crewed missions. After spending about a week on the moon, the Artemis III crew will commence with their return trip back to Earth before the lunar night catches up with them.
But what happens next? Just like the Apollo crewed missions, NASA plans to send humans to the moon during its Artemis IV and V missions. In addition to that, the American Space Agency in partnership with other international agencies is building a Lunar Gateway space station that will enable astronauts to access the lunar surface from orbit.
NASA anticipates sending its two Artemis V crew to the lunar surface from this space station before 2030. This technological milestone will open the gateway for humans to access the moon without much stress. Countries like China, India, and many others are preparing to send humans to the moon by the 2030s.
These countries including the United States are already developing moon bases that will be placed on the lunar surface to accommodate the astronauts. These moon bases will be so advanced that they will keep the crew protected in all environmental conditions.
Instead of astronauts staying on the moon only during the lunar day and returning to their gateway space station during the lunar nights, they will spend more time on the moon advancing their research.
How Humans Will Colonize the Moon in this Century
Once space agencies can now sustain humans on the moon both during the lunar days and nights, they will consider building other lunar outposts to welcome tourists and space enthusiasts who can afford the trip.
Before the end of the 2030s, hundreds of people will become interested in visiting the moon. As the interest of humans to visit the moon increases, space agencies will see the need to build many outposts on the moon.
Private aerospace companies will come into the picture to build habitats for tourists. In the 2040s, countries and private space agencies may have to collaborate together to build the first lunar village on the lunar south. This lunar village will become the first settlement for moon dwellers.
By the 2050s, the Japanese company would complete its first advanced city on the moon. If this company succeeds with its plan, millions of people will be willing to relocate permanently to the moon. Hence, more companies will move their businesses to the moon to make the lunar dwellers independent from Earth.
Before 2070, humans living on the moon may not have any reason to depend on resupplies coming from Earth. If humanity eventually attains such a milestone, we will achieve the first independent settlement outside Earth.
While moon dwellers will be busy enjoying several benefits of living on the moon, humans on Mars will also be working towards becoming a stand-alone dwellers. With the effort space agencies and commercial companies are making today, we will likely colonize both the moon and Mars before 2100. Do you believe in the future of humans on the moon?