We’ve seen over the past decade the slow reemergence back in to the world of lunar exploration. After the excitement of the Apollo missions died away and funding with it, it’s good to see us moving back to the moon. NASA is planning missions by 2020, and China is hoping to head there soon after.
Plans for moon-bases are also becoming a common site in the news these days. NASA is testing various types of base, from movable bases to the standard locked down type.
But one of the more interesting designs is an inflatable moon base, designed by ILC Dover. Resembling a backyard bouncing castle, NASA has announced that the inflatable home – designed for missions to the moon or Mars – is heading to the South Pole.
Using the extreme conditions of Antarctica to represent a modicum of life on a solar body, the team will attempt to inflate the base in less than four hours using only four people.
The inflatable style of base is definitely appealing to NASA and other space agencies, as it is, obviously, inflatable. Thus, it can be squished down to save on space during transport. Not only that, but its weight is much less than any other structure in the works, all of which require construction over a lengthy period of time.
The inflatable base will also serve as a test center for upcoming technologies, such as health monitoring systems, self-healing materials, and protective radiation materials. In addition, Antarctic researchers from McMurdo Station in Antarctica will be using the inflatable structure as a staging area. From January 2008 to February of 09, NASA will be able to receive human reports on the stability and performance of the structure.
With inflatable satellites already orbiting our planet, and ideas for inflatable space-hotels and stations, NASA will be watching the Antarctic test closely.
Joshua Hill, a Geek’s-Geek from Melbourne, Australia, Josh is an aspiring author with dreams of publishing his epic fantasy, currently in the works, sometime in the next 5 years. A techie, nerd, sci-fi nut and bookworm.
