JohnHunt
05-14-2010, 07:27 AM
THE PROBLEM
With the same sized lunar lander we can land more mass at the lunar equator than at a lunar pole. If, for some reason, we didn't have a heavy lifter in the future but had to develop the moon using only medium-lift rockets then this difference in mass (between the equator and pole) might make a difference.
The problem is that the lunar night on the equator last for a miserably long 2 weeks. Temperatures plummet to about -180 C. At these temperatures metals can become brittle and break. Solar power wouldn't be available for lighting and heating. Batteries to keep equipment warm would have difficulty operating for the full two weeks. Some consider the lunar night to be a deal killer.
WHY THE LUNAR POLES ARE BETTER
At certain locations at the lunar poles there areas which have been termed Peaks of Eternal Light. Since the axis of the Moon is tilted only 1 degree, the sun is always moving along the horizon. Surface temperatures there are kept at about a constant -30 C. Solar panels can be raised up and power can be delivered to keep a habitat at a constant, comfy 20C.
Also, conceivably mirrors could be placed on the edges of craters to illuminate and heat areas where trapped ice water might be kept. This would help light up these dark areas and make the environments safer to work.
But again, we may want to develop and colonize along the lunar equator. So, how could one survive a two week lunar night?
SURVIVING THE LUNAR NIGHT
To start with one could construct parts of equipment that would do well at cryogenic temperatures. This is being openly discussed at the FredNet Lunar xPrize website. (http://wiki.teamfrednet.org/index.php/Tasks:Surviving_a_lunar_night)
One could use batteries to heat components but again this is challenging to do from battery reserves. Using insulation could help reduce the quantity of power needed at any given time. Equipment could be kept indoors with the settlers or in a modestly heated garage.
One of the more obvious things to do would be to dig far enough into the lunar regolith or use an existing lava tube to take advantage of the constant -35 C temperature below 1 meter below the surface. -35 C is still very cold (for people) still far better than -180 C.
Of course, nuclear power could provide significant power to help the new colonists make it through the night. On problem with this is that it may not be a solution which would make the colony self-sufficient towards being a back-up for the human race.
Also, surplus solar energy collected during the two week long lunar day could be converted into a high density form. Not sure about the efficiency, but, perhaps the surplus power could drive electrolysis to separate water and oxygen which could then be burnt during the lunar night for heat and power. Or, surplus power could accelerate flywheels from which power could be drawn during the night.
But how about people. If they couldn't safely go outdoors during the lunar night will they just sit idly by half of the time?
THINGS TO DO DURING THE LUNAR NIGHT
When you think about it, there will be plenty of indoor work to keep lunar settlers busy during the lunar night. Indeed, the vast majority of the time spent by the ISS astronauts is spent indoors. And they are kept busy.
So, here are some things that could keep them busy indoors in an insulated, heated environment.
Experiments
Gardening - Planting, harvesting (hopefully not weeding)
Setting up equipment
Maintenance and repair of equipment
Setting up and expanding housing
Industrial activities
E-mailing and video conferencing
Video conferencing with students to inspire them to pursue the sciences
Plus, part of the time would be taken up with routine activities such as sleeping, eating, meal prep, and downtime.
With the same sized lunar lander we can land more mass at the lunar equator than at a lunar pole. If, for some reason, we didn't have a heavy lifter in the future but had to develop the moon using only medium-lift rockets then this difference in mass (between the equator and pole) might make a difference.
The problem is that the lunar night on the equator last for a miserably long 2 weeks. Temperatures plummet to about -180 C. At these temperatures metals can become brittle and break. Solar power wouldn't be available for lighting and heating. Batteries to keep equipment warm would have difficulty operating for the full two weeks. Some consider the lunar night to be a deal killer.
WHY THE LUNAR POLES ARE BETTER
At certain locations at the lunar poles there areas which have been termed Peaks of Eternal Light. Since the axis of the Moon is tilted only 1 degree, the sun is always moving along the horizon. Surface temperatures there are kept at about a constant -30 C. Solar panels can be raised up and power can be delivered to keep a habitat at a constant, comfy 20C.
Also, conceivably mirrors could be placed on the edges of craters to illuminate and heat areas where trapped ice water might be kept. This would help light up these dark areas and make the environments safer to work.
But again, we may want to develop and colonize along the lunar equator. So, how could one survive a two week lunar night?
SURVIVING THE LUNAR NIGHT
To start with one could construct parts of equipment that would do well at cryogenic temperatures. This is being openly discussed at the FredNet Lunar xPrize website. (http://wiki.teamfrednet.org/index.php/Tasks:Surviving_a_lunar_night)
One could use batteries to heat components but again this is challenging to do from battery reserves. Using insulation could help reduce the quantity of power needed at any given time. Equipment could be kept indoors with the settlers or in a modestly heated garage.
One of the more obvious things to do would be to dig far enough into the lunar regolith or use an existing lava tube to take advantage of the constant -35 C temperature below 1 meter below the surface. -35 C is still very cold (for people) still far better than -180 C.
Of course, nuclear power could provide significant power to help the new colonists make it through the night. On problem with this is that it may not be a solution which would make the colony self-sufficient towards being a back-up for the human race.
Also, surplus solar energy collected during the two week long lunar day could be converted into a high density form. Not sure about the efficiency, but, perhaps the surplus power could drive electrolysis to separate water and oxygen which could then be burnt during the lunar night for heat and power. Or, surplus power could accelerate flywheels from which power could be drawn during the night.
But how about people. If they couldn't safely go outdoors during the lunar night will they just sit idly by half of the time?
THINGS TO DO DURING THE LUNAR NIGHT
When you think about it, there will be plenty of indoor work to keep lunar settlers busy during the lunar night. Indeed, the vast majority of the time spent by the ISS astronauts is spent indoors. And they are kept busy.
So, here are some things that could keep them busy indoors in an insulated, heated environment.
Experiments
Gardening - Planting, harvesting (hopefully not weeding)
Setting up equipment
Maintenance and repair of equipment
Setting up and expanding housing
Industrial activities
E-mailing and video conferencing
Video conferencing with students to inspire them to pursue the sciences
Plus, part of the time would be taken up with routine activities such as sleeping, eating, meal prep, and downtime.