THE PLAN FOR SUSTAINABLE
SPACE DEVELOPMENT
- establishing an initial infrastructure on the Moon -



PARALLEL DEVELOPMENT
This Plan focuses on the development of the Moon and Mars simultaneously because we believe start the Starship fleet will allow cost-effective access to both around the same time.

TRANSPORTATION
The decision-makers need to recognize the potential for SpaceX's Starship fleet and to establish a program with this capability at its core once proven. We also anticipate that a more lunar-optimized system, including a lander, designed specifically for transport between the Earth and Moon will be developed later. This Plan does not find that the Gateway is necessary given the option of just rendezvousing in high lunar orbit.

TELEROBOTS
The first uncrewed mission to the Moon should deliver a payload with enough power systems, redundant telerobots, and spare parts to harvest lunar polar ice. An Ice Harvester telerobot could combine multiple functions to extract water from the lunar dirt.

For Mars, multiple cargo missions will likely land in early 2027 with crew missions as early as 2029 or more likely 2031. The goal of the Mars early missions will be to build up enough cargo to support an initial permanent base utilizing local resources to establish a small but permanent foothold to set the conditions for a growing base towards settlement.

HABITATION
Initial bases on the Moon and Mars could be the Starships themselves followed by small inflatables followed by many large, specialty habs. Local dirt or water walls would provide shielding against radiation and an indoor centrifuge

THE GREENHOUSE
Within the initial base would be GreenHab modules to grow all of the food needed by the Initial Permanent Crew. The crew would plant, harvest, and process the plants fresh or store them for later use. The crew would use automated robotics and labor-saving equipment to prepare delicious meals.

A NETWORK OF ROADS
After establishing a south polar habitat on the Moon, telerobots could drive north while compacting the lunar dirt to create a network of basic roads throughout the Moon. This would allow international astronauts and later tourists to use automated electric vehicles to drive throughout the Moon without having to consume precious propellant. It would also provide a means of transporting water and other minerals to distant settlements. A similar network of roads could be developed on Mars.

Click here to see our current estimate of the development timeline.


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