Abstract
Science on the Moon explores the use of the lunar environment for life science studies, as well as physics and chemistry experiments. Physiology studies to be completed on the Moon include how crewmembers’ bodies and other life forms such as bacteria change over time in a reduced gravity and richer radiation environment. It is known that microgravity affects pharmacokinetics and operation of the immune system; what is unknown is the response of the human body in consistent lunar gravity. These studies are vital to understanding how humans can live and work beyond the confines of Earth. These life science studies also include the use of a human-plant-balanced artificial ecosystem that can adapt and thrive with changing numbers of crewmembers and the lifecycle of various plant species. Additional applicable life science studies include the field of astrobiology, as the Moon provides a platform to study the Earth remotely; this allows specific comparative observations of exoplanets to be made to a place known to have life, Earth. Physics and chemistry experiments include those that benefit from the reduced gravity, the vacuum at the surface, the plasma/radiation environment, the significant temperature swings, and the duration of the day/night cycle on the Moon. Many of these experiments involve particle physics, physical and radioisotope decay, acceleration and impact, and nuclear fusion.
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Edmunson, J. (2022). Science on the Moon. In: Eckart, P., Aldrin, A. (eds) Handbook of Lunar Base Design and Development. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05323-9_22-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05323-9_22-2
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Science on the Moon- Published:
- 01 March 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05323-9_22-2
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Science on the Moon- Published:
- 22 December 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05323-9_22-1