Lunar Lunacy

I believe a lunar base is essential for the sake of humanity. Throughout the history of the United States, expansion has been necessary and beneficial. This has been for reasons of gaining property and for economic, political,  and defensive posturing. The vast amounts of land acquired and occupied from 1800 to 1860 had a major affect on American politics, its people, and its economy. It did this in part, by the development of railroads, highways, and waterways. The development of the infrastructure produced new industries which ultimately transformed the United States into an industrial power instead of a purely agricultural one.

In the 1960s once again a great expansion occurred. This great expansion was Space, which led to a technological revolution that is still marching onward today in the form of the internet and computer technology. It culminated with landing on the moon in 1969. Back then there were 3 billion people living on earth. Today we have 6 billion plus, and with regards to time, that means by 2100, there will be 24 billion people struggling to make due with what resources may still be left.It could easily take one hundred years or more to actually achieve the goal of realistic lunar colonization, so there is no time to waste.

Stick your head in the sand and pretend if you wish, but simple math proves I am right. We need to look toward Space as not only the next frontier, but our ultimate salvation. This is how it could work.

Materials for lunar habitation will need to be developed. Methods for sustaining life will need to be invented for an environment that is not fit for human life, but surely could be made so. This will require physicists, chemists, and engineers. The early days of America were harsh, as harsh or even harsher than what early life on the moon would be like. So humankind has already proven it has what it takes to accomplish this type of mission.

Industries not palatable here on earth could be developed on the moon and materials produced there could then be shipped back to earth on tankers that could also be used to deliver materials and goods to the lunar surface. These tankers could be built in orbit by robots and in fact would remain in space receiving and delivering goods by means of smaller craft currently being used to supply the International Space Station.

Today Russia wants to partner with the US and Europe to build a lunar colony. This is the kind of cooperation we need on earth for everything, but we will need to do it in space as well. So how does this help?

Well, I just explained that it will create jobs in both academic and professional fields. This will mean more blue collar work as well, but overall it will increase the job skills to a different level from where they are now to a more evolved technical skill. Most important are the spurs of technological advancement in fields unrelated to Space. This is inevitable, because discovery begets knowledge which always fuels the enthusiasm  of the human spirit. And right now, we need some human spirit.

So how do you fund it? Do away with a large portion of the military establishment and redirect that labor toward the development of Space. Work out international trade agreements that reward those countries that work cooperatively with the US to produce a better Universe.

Am I serious? As serious as the fact that the world's resources are diminishing even  faster than the population growth. I can only hope that humankind will recognize the detriment of their situation before they find themselves shoulder to shoulder with their fellow man in the public squares screaming for bread.