Nasa to plan moon base
The lunar base would be solar powered and built near the poles
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Tuesday, 05, Dec 2006 09:20
Nasa has announced that plans are underway for a permanent lunar base to be built after astronauts return to the moon in 2020.
The lunar base would be solar powered and located near to one of the poles of the moon, as this would provide the most light.
It would provide an opportunity for scientists and astronauts to live off the natural resources of the moon as well as to conduct many more experiments and investigations to further mankind's understanding of space.
Doug Cooke from Nasa's exploration systems directorate said: "The architecture work has resulted in an understanding of what is required to implement and enable critical exploration objectives."
He added that the plan for permanent human living on the moon was part of "what is a very exciting future for the United States and the world".
The news comes after the space exploration team recently announced a new spacecraft, Orion, would be built for future space travel for astronauts to the moon and Mars.
The first flight with astronauts onboard is planned for 2014, with the first flight to the moon no later than 2020, almost 48 years since the last manned Apollo mission.