How Close is Humanity to Being Settled on the Moon? Will Lunar Caves Help?

As you know, one of the biggest recent discoveries was the discovery of a cave on the moon. In July 2024, scientists confirmed the existence of a cave in the Mare Tranquillitatis (Sea of ​​Silence) region of the Moon for the first time. This exciting discovery represents a major milestone for space exploration and humanity’s future on the Moon. So what does this cave mean and how close have we, as humanity, come to our dream of settling on the Moon?

Moon Caves: Doors to a Mysterious World

Caves have long been thought to exist in the Moon’s craters and lava tubes. But until now, it has not been possible to find direct evidence. The latest discovery was made possible thanks to radar data collected by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft. New analysis techniques have revealed the existence of a tunnel system running beneath a pit in Mare Tranquillitatis.
Although the exact length and width of this cave are unknown, initial estimates indicate that it is 50-100 meters wide and has a tunnel system many kilometers long. The interior of the cave is thought to be dark and cold, but it may offer an environment isolated from the harsh conditions of the Moon. This may have contributed to the preservation of water ice and other potential resources. Let’s not forget that the existence of water also means oxygen and fuel for a base to be established on the moon.

Lunar Caves and Human Settlement:

Lunar Caves on the Moon could provide shelter and protection for future lunar colonies. Caves can protect astronauts from extreme temperatures, radiation and micrometeorites. Additionally, caves can be used for activities such as energy production, water purification and food cultivation.
• Protection: Lunar caves can provide an ideal environment to protect astronauts and Moon bases from extreme temperature changes, radiation, and micrometeors. This is critical for long-term lunar exploration and settlement.
• Water Source: The dark, cold environments of caves may help preserve water that may be stored in the form of water ice in the Moon’s polar regions. This water source can be used for both drinking water and rocket fuel production.
• Scientific Research: Caves may contain minerals and geological formations that may provide clues to the Moon’s geological history and formation. These discoveries could help us learn about the formation of our solar system and other celestial bodies in the universe. At the same time, different minerals found can provide us with additional opportunities, such as energy production.

How Close is Humanity Settlement on the Moon?

Establishing a base on the Moon in the near future does not currently seem impossible. In recent years, developments in space technology and increasing private sector investments have contributed to trips and missions to the Moon becoming more frequent and cheaper. Establishing a permanent base on the Moon within 5 years is a very ambitious goal, and both the US and European Space Agencies, as well as China, Russia and India are competing in this regard. Achieving this goal requires intense international cooperation, significant financial investments and technological innovations.

However, the discovery of caves on the Moon is an inspiring development that shows that we have the potential to achieve this goal. Establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon in the coming decades could be a turning point for the future of space exploration and humanity. As a result, the caves on the Moon appear as an important milestone on the way to realizing humanity’s dreams of establishing life in space. Thanks to technological and scientific advances, it now seems more possible to establish permanent settlements on the Moon and make life in space sustainable. However, for this process to be successful, biological adaptation, engineering solutions, and international collaborations are of great importance. The caves on the Moon can be a guide that sheds light on humanity in this difficult journey, and perhaps in the future, seeing a human colony settled on the Moon may become a reality rather than a dream. hence, they have become an integral part of the race to the moon.

Which Country is Leading the Race for Settling on the Moon?

The United States plans to send a team of astronauts to the moon’s south pole by 2025 through the Artemis program. The European Space Agency (ESA) is also working on the Moon Village project. This project will consist of a series of settlements built on the Moon using 3D printers. It is also reflected in the news that UK-based companies such as Rolls Royce are designing an energy reactor for a base to be established on the moon.

China is one of the leading countries in establishing a base on the moon. They sent the first robotic spacecraft to the Moon in 2003 under the Chang’e (Moon Goddess in Chinese Mythology) program and have carried out a number of successful missions since then. China plans to establish a research station at the south pole of the moon in the 2030s. This station will be the first step in a long-term human presence on the Moon and will form the basis for a future lunar settlement. There are several reasons why China is ahead in establishing a lunar base. First of all, China is quite advantageous in terms of state support. China also has a long-term plan for lunar exploration. This plan includes establishing a research station in the 2030s and establishing a permanent settlement in the 2040s. Additionally, China has made significant progress in spacecraft and rocket development. As I mentioned in my previous articles, the Chinese Space Agency has a complete Atlas of the Moon and a detailed geological map of all natural resources on the Moon.

India also has a growing interest in lunar exploration. As part of the Chandrayaan program, they sent the first spacecraft to the Moon in 2008 to discover water in 2009 and managed to land on the south pole of the moon with the Chandrayaan-3 mission in 2023. India plans to send its own astronauts to the Moon by the 2030s.

Although it is not reflected in the media, there is a very serious space race in the world regarding settlement on the moon and access to the resources of the moon, and everyone needs to be a part of this race before it is too late. As Hawking has said, the humanity may experience an extinction level event in the future, and its imperative that a Lunar Settlement happens soon to ensure the continuity of humanity.