Institute for Space Development Research | The Moon : Resources, Mining, Settlement, and Helium Energy

The Moon is the Earth's only natural satellite and is a logical part of plans to extend the human presence beyond space stations in Earth orbit. The moon has a surface gravity of about 17% that of Earth, making launch from the moon far more energy efficient than launch from Earth.

The Lunar Lagrange Points (points of gravitational stability between two massive objects in space) offer ideal locations for research operations and advanced new telescopes as well as refueling depots and private venture operations.

Recently, plans for NASA to return to the Moon were scrubbed with the cancelation of the Constellation program. However, a plan to develop a stronger commercial infrastructure and refocus NASA on new deeper-space technologies can involve the Moon at numerous points in the future. Nations all over the world have their sights set on the moon. Within the next few (very few) decades the moon will likely emerge as a primary operational platform for resource processing and manufacturing in space as well as for extensive scientific research and private enterprise.

Potential Lunar Resources & Uses

Operational Platform

The Moon is an excellent local operational platform. Relative to Asteroids and Mars, the Moon is actually somewhat poor in many resources. However, what it does offer is a near-Earth platform for space-based operations, manufacturing, scientific research, and a functional test-bed for space-based activities that will prepare us for our inevitable expansion into the rest of the solar system.

Lunar Resources

The Moon has many resources including Oxygen (with obvious uses including breathing, water production, and as a fuel), Silicon that can be used in the manufacturing of solar energy panels, Iron, Calcium, Aluminum, Titanium, and Magnesium. Other resources exist in much smaller amounts. Recently, Uranium and water have been discovered on the Moon but have not yet been well quantified.

Lunar Helium-3

There are a variety of lunar resources to consider, but one getting a lot of attention lately is Helium-3. Helium-3 is a potential candidate for nuclear fusion energy and is abundant on the moon. Helium-3 is very rare on Earth due to the protection of the surface of our Earth from direct contact with the solar wind, which is the delivery mechanism for lunar Helium-3 to the Moon. Helium-3 becomes trapped in the lunar regolith and can easily be released and captured.

The Moon and the Lunar Lagrange Points provide an excellent Astronomical research and deep-space observing platform due to a lack of an atmosphere. Without an atmosphere, the Moon provides much sharper and brighter views of deep space objects permitting distant research along with a radio noise-free environment. Astronomers are beginning to get resolved images of planets around other stars from Earth-based and space-based platforms. Performing very high-precision measurements may be easier on the Moon. Further, future space-based science platforms may be manufactured on the Moon.

Lunar Uranium

Recently it has been announced that Uranium has been found on the Moon. Instruments on the Japanese Kaguya, or SELENE spacecraft made the first measurements of Uranium on the moon. Uranium is a great find because it enables the possibility of nuclear power on the Moon. Further, since Uranium is somewhat scarce on Earth, it is one more great reason to begin development on the Moon.

Hydrogen
Titanium
Iron
Silicates
Thorium

Hydrogen is of considerable importance for water and as a potential fuel and energy source.

Lunar Hydrogen Concentration Map

Concentration of Lunar Hydrogen

Map of Hydrogen concentration on the moon as measured by Lunar Prospector (1998-1999).

Lunar Titanium map:

Lunar titanium map

Lunar Titanium density map of the Moon.

Lunar Iron map:

Lunar Iron density, map

Iron density map of the Moon

Silicates and Silicon are abundant on the Moon and offer opportunity for in-situ manufacturing of solar cells. Silicon is second in abundance on the Moon only to Oxygen.

Thorium is present on the Moon and has possible use as a filament enhancer when used with Tungsten, is a fertile nuclear fuel, and an effective material for radiation shielding. While not a likely export for Earth, space-based Thorium will be useful for utilization in space.

Thorium Lunar Data Map

Density map of Lunar Thorium

Thorium is also likely a marker for what is often known as KREEP, the acronym for potassium ("K"), rare Earth elements and phosphorous. Thorium, therefore, may be a marker for geologically interesting and useful regions.

Settlement & Legal Issues

Currently no nation has made any claim to total or partial ownership of the Moon. Russia and the United States have both signed the Outer Space Treaty, effectively declaring the moon to be handled like international waters are here on Earth. This treaty also requires the moon to be used for peaceful and non-military purposes only. Individuals have made claims to the moon, and some of them have even engaged in the sale of lunar real estate based on these claims. Currently none of these claims are considered legitimate or credible.

"Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the moon. July 1969, A.D. We came in peace for all mankind."

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