Moon Village Plan to be a Reality by 2050
The idea of a human colony in outer space continues to fascinate millions, and this rather futuristic concept will not remain an idea for long. By 2040, humans should start living on the moon, that is, if the expansion goes well.
Bernard Foing, the ambassador of the European Space Agency which is behind the Moon Village scheme explained how humans will come to colonize the moon and expand the settlement during the recent European Planetary Science Congress, which took place in Riga.
"In 2050, you could have a thousand and then, naturally you could envisage to have families joining crews there," Foing said to AFP. He continued, "there may be the possibility to have children born on the Moon."
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Foing believes that by 2030, around six to 10 pioneers, mainly a team of scientists, technicians, and engineers, should start settling down on the moon. He also predicts that the number would grow to 100 a decade later.
The colony on the moon would have to grow their own plants in lunar soil and build their own structures to survive. With the use of large-scale 3D printing technology, the residents of the moon would be able to build their own homes using the tools that they printed out as well. Humans would also need to locate icy deposits and melt them for their source of water. In addition, lunar water can be turned into rocket fuel. In the future, the moon can be a hub for long distance space travel.
ESA's Director General Jan Woerner previously shared that the project, Moon Village, is open to any interested party and will welcome delegates from any nation.
Though many scientists are enthusiastic about the idea, politicians have yet to show any interest in the plan.
"It is highly frustrating... We still don't have the top leaders interested," said physicist Vidvuds Beldavs of the University of Latvia.
