This SpringerBrief explores the technological, economic, physiological, and psychological comparisons between a journey to the Moon versus a journey to Mars, taking into consideration the national and international perspectives at play. The author spent over six years interviewing leading space experts from around the world to learn why lunar habitats and the creation of a permanent presence on the Moon are an essential next step to human exploration and settlement in space. Practical reasons related to energy, telecommunications and networking, robotic systems, medical and scientific research, material processing, and more show why it must be the Moon First and Mars Second. These findings and recommendations have been adopted by current NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, as well as the current U. S. president. The research in this text reflects the author's experiences working internally within NASA Headquarters, the FAA Commercial Spaceflight Office, as well as the International Space University. It is partially based on Reneau’s award-winning Harvard thesis in conjunction with her Master's in International Relations.
Author(s): Allyson Reneau
Publisher: Springer Nature
Year: 2020
Language: English
Pages: 104
Foreword I
Foreword II
Preface
Acknowledgments
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction to Space Exploration
A Personal and Unique Perspective
References
Chapter 2: Background and Early History of Space Exploration
Space in the Early Beginnings of the Cold War
References
Chapter 3: Maturity of the US Space Program
The Creation of NASA
Project Mercury
Project Gemini (Fig. 3.2)
Project Apollo
Space Shuttle Program (Fig. 3.6)
Space Stations
Constellation Program
President Obama Space Policy
The Silver Lining
References
Chapter 4: The Trump Administration Space Policy
Space Policy Directive 1
Space Policy Directive 2
Space Policy Directive 3
Space Policy Directive 4
The Artemis Program
Architecture of Artemis (Fig. 4.2)
Lunar Orbital Platform Gateway
References
Chapter 5: Moon and Mars: A Comparison of the Two
Distance
Gravity
Atmosphere
Temperature
Day and Night Cycles
Soil and Regolith
Communication and Travel
References
Chapter 6: A Psychological and Physiological Perspective
Psychological Effects
Physiological Effects
References
Chapter 7: Technological Challenges
Nuclear Propulsion: The Game Changer
References
Chapter 8: An Economic Perspective
References
Chapter 9: Private Lunar Initiatives
SpaceX
Blue Origin
Moon Express (Fig. 9.3)
References
Chapter 10: An International Perspective
IntroductionThe outcomes of America’s space-related accomplishments are not achievements of the United States alone. NASA’s success in space has always been part of an internationally shared endeavor—including the Apollo program. Fo
Brief Examination of Lunar Exploration Programs from Around the World
China
Europe
India
Israel
Japan
Russia
UAE
Conclusions
References
Chapter 11: An American Perspective
Findings and Recommendations
References
Chapter 12: The Way Forward
References
Appendices
Space Policy Directive 1
Artemis Overview by NASA
Artemis
What Is Artemis?
Why Go to the Moon?
How Do We Get There?
When Will We Get There?
What Will We Do There?
Index
