With the advancement of aerospace technology, humanity’s era of space exploration is gradually beginning. Our future must extend beyond Earth, reaching for the stars and beyond the seas.
The nearest celestial body to Earth is the Moon, often dubbed as the first stop for humans venturing into space. To set foot on the Moon and use it as a stepping stone, the establishment of a lunar base is a prerequisite. But where should this base be built? According to a recent article published on September 28 by Science and Technology Daily, Chilean scientists believe that the best location for constructing a lunar base is at the mouth of the Sverdrup volcano, located at the South Pole of the Moon.
The Lunar South Pole is the southernmost point on the Moon, located at coordinates 90° south. It has drawn special attention from scientists due to the presence of water ice in perpetually shadowed regions surrounding it. Image: Inverse
What makes this volcano’s location special? Firstly, it’s large enough, approximately 5 square kilometers, with a relatively flat interior, making it easier for lunar spacecraft to land. Furthermore, with this surface area, there’s ample space to construct a base and other facilities.
Secondly, within the volcano’s mouth, there may be a substantial amount of water ice, easily accessible. Additionally, in the shaded areas within this volcano, there’s a possibility of natural ice formation, providing a stable source of water for the lunar base.
Thirdly, within the volcano’s mouth, there is a vast area that receives continuous sunlight throughout the year. This is suitable for building solar power facilities and ground-based antennas for communication with Earth.
Clearly, this location is ideal for the construction of a lunar base. In fact, many major spacefaring nations have chosen the South Pole of the Moon as the landing and exploration site for their missions. For instance, India’s Chandrayaan-3 chose a high-latitude landing site near the South Pole of the Moon. The United States, Japan, and China also selected the South Pole as their landing site for missions.
We all know that the South Pole of Earth is the least hospitable place for humans and other forms of life to exist. It’s extremely cold, making it challenging for typical plants, animals, and even humans to thrive. Therefore, the South Pole of Earth has the fewest and least diverse ecosystems.
The environmental conditions at the South Pole of the Moon are much harsher compared to those at the South Pole of Earth. There’s no atmosphere, and it’s extremely arid. However, when compared to other areas on the Moon, the environmental conditions at the South Pole of the Moon are the most suitable for humans to build a base and develop lunar resources. This is due to the presence of regions with year-round sunlight and easier accessibility than other lunar regions.
If you’re planning to establish a base on the Moon, that frozen water will play a significant role. Of course, you can thaw and drink it, but you can also separate its molecules to create liquid hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel (the oxygen can also help you breathe more comfortably). Image: ZME
Nevertheless, some argue that lunar caves might be the best places to build a base because lunar caves can provide protection against space debris impacts. They contend that by looking at the lunar surface’s craters, we can estimate the frequency of asteroid impacts on the Moon.
Asteroid fragments, and even sand grains, can impact the Moon’s surface at speeds exceeding 10 km per second, and the Moon lacks an atmosphere, so these objects can directly hit the lunar surface. Therefore, no matter how sturdy a building may be, it cannot withstand such rapid asteroid impacts.
Meanwhile, by living inside caves deep beneath the lunar surface, sealing off the entrances could create an enclosed environment with conditions similar to Earth’s. Human life within these caves would be similar to living on the lunar surface, and if the caves are large enough, humans might even build underground cities.
However, at present, humanity has only explored a tiny fraction of the Moon, and we do not yet have the capability to transform lunar caves on a large scale. Therefore, scientists can only choose the method of constructing space stations and lunar bases on the lunar surface.
When considering the entire lunar surface, the mouth of the Sverdrup volcano at the South Pole of the Moon appears to be the best location for a lunar base. This is why the South Pole of the Moon has become the focal point of exploration for spacefaring nations worldwide.