The Reality of Space Development Based on the Moon

This is related to the lunar resources mentioned last time.

I found an interesting article that introduces new ideas for space development based on the Moon.

If you have time, please watch this 4-minute PR video. (There is no dialogue.)

This video was produced by the European Space Agency (ESA) and depicts a future where the Moon is a habitat.

You can also see the stylish name 'Moon Village'.

While it is completely a scene from a science fiction work, some of its aspects—specifically regarding important energy supply—are introduced as ambitious project ideas in the opening article.

Actually, the prototype for this is already undergoing practical research, so I will introduce that first.

The idea is to capture solar energy in outer space and send it as a beam to receivers on Earth to serve as a power plant.

This was originally conceived in the early 20th century by the scientist Tesla (which reminds one of the EV manufacturer, and is its namesake), and Japan is one of the top runners in this field.

I will stop here and refer to the articles I have introduced in the past for more details.

I think it is easy to understand if I call this the lunar version.

The concrete blueprints are already finished.

First, a satellite that receives solar energy is placed at the equilibrium point between the Sun and the Moon (one of the Lagrange points, approximately 60,000 km from the lunar surface).

It is then converted into microwaves and sent to the lunar surface as a beam with an output of 23 MW (megawatts).

There were several technical challenges, but the difference this time is the design of the satellite that receives the solar energy. I will quote the image from the opening article. (The title image is also quoted from here.)

The shape is unique, isn't it?

It seems this concept was inspired by the shape of a butterfly.

In fact, not only is the finished appearance unique, but the storage batteries mounted on this satellite are designed to be manufacturable using lunar dust (called regolith).

This is a point I would like to delve into, but it seems like it might go off on a tangent, so I will limit myself to quoting the article this time.

We estimate that not only can materials be procured on the lunar surface, but the overall manufacturing cost will also be lower than that on Earth. Furthermore, we anticipate that the cost of launching finished satellites can also be reduced. (I have not been able to verify the basis for these calculations.)

Manufacturing costs are highly specialized and difficult to evaluate, but I think the launch cost argument cannot be entirely dismissed.

Rockets carrying satellites must overcome the gravity of celestial bodies. (This is often referred to as cosmic velocity.)

Since the Moon's gravity is one-sixth that of Earth's, it is easier to launch satellites from the lunar surface.
And these satellites can also be utilized for Earth. (Furthermore, since there are no humans on the lunar surface yet, the safety risk in the event of a rocket failure is also lower.)

It sounds like a dream, but as mentioned previously, resources are expected to be found on the Moon, particularly around the South Pole, and the United States, China, and Russia are planning the same things as the ESA's Moon Village concept introduced here.

It would be ideal if clean energy could enhance sustainability, but I hope this does not turn into a counterproductive story where resource competition creates new sparks of conflict.