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Moons of our Solar System
Moons of our Solar System

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3.3 The future of lunar exploration

Paul Spudis says in the video that the exploration of our Solar System is not just important for science, but potentially for the future of our species and that the Moon has an important part to play in both of these. Do you agree?

The resources available on the Moon’s surface include metals from the lunar soil, solar energy to provide power, and water from permanently shadowed regions of craters near the poles. All this could enable infrastructure to be built, allowing humans to create a lunar base. A satellite system is the first thing needed to be placed in orbit around the target body, and this has been done for both the Moon and Mars. This allows communication with landers and surface roving vehicles. Technology will play a big role in these quests.

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See also: The Value of the Moon [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] If you want more from Paul Spudis on this subject, here is a 50 minute talk by him recorded in October 2016.