Handbook of Lunar Base Design and Development

Book excerpt: The Handbook of Lunar Base Design and Development provides information on all aspects of designing, building and operating future bases on the Moon, along with its commercialization. There are many plans already in place for doing so, and many companies ready to produce the necessary materials. Split into nine comprehensive thematic sections, the reference work covers the entire lunar base process, from its inception to its operation. It begins with chapters on the history of lunar exploration and present-day, essential data on the Moon and its environment. It then examines the initial mission planning and site selection phases before moving on to current lunar base designs, their development, and finally their day-to-day operation. The final sections discuss the commercialization of the Moon in depth, exploring topics ranging from lunar resource utilization all the way to the exploration of Mars and beyond. Editor-in-Chief Peter Eckart’s Lunar Handbook served as a foundational source in this field from its initial release in 1999 through the 2006 second edition, providing the inspiration for this long overdue, completely overhauled work on the subject.This book thus serves as a practical all-in-one guide for aerospace professionals and engineers of all related disciplines looking to learn more about the challenges and opportunities of setting up a commercial lunar base.