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

Different types of power systems will be needed for the different phases of development at different locations. Starting with the telerobotic ice-harvesting phase on the Moon, there is general consensus among informed space advocates that we should start at the lunar poles due to there being certain locations there which have sunlight nearly all of the time. So, solar power (such as solar drapes). Power transmission from one of these Peaks of Persistent Illumination (PPI) could be anything from a wire draped down the crater wall to the icy lunar dirt in the permanently-shadowed crater to microwave power beaming to mirrors reflecting light to transparent domes.

The initial, permanent, lunar bases would also logically be placed near one of these PPIs so as to take advantage of the high power environment and shorter nights. During this Initial Crew Phase, additional power beyond the abundant photovoltaic power might be warranted when melting lunar dirt with magnetically-concentrated nickel-iron micrometeorite bits. Parabolic mirrors would be a very efficient way to melt this metalic dirt, the dross removed, and the metal cast for later machining into useful parts.

As the base grows, the PPIs and their surrounding areas would see more and more solar drape farms as propellant production increased and the lunar population grew at an accelerating rate. The same would occur at the other pole. Later, habitats would be established away from both poles perhaps at sites of mining of specific elements and tourism / hotel sites. In this case, the lunar nights would last for about 14 Earth days during which no solar power could be produced on the surface. Ideas to address this range from small nuclear reactors, space-based solar power, and various energy storage strategies (e.g. batteries, fuel cells, flywheels, thermal wadies, etc).

Shipping nuclear fuel from Earth to non-polar areas would be the obvious thing to do initially as a whole lot of power could be shipped as a small amount of mass. Launching non-radioactive nuclear fuel is not a risk. With time, nuclear fuel could be produced from resources on the Moon. In particular, Lalande Crater is know to have higher concentrations of thorium which can be used as a safe source of nuclear fuel.

For missions to Mars, solar power should be sufficient during transit. Once on the surface of Mars, the days last about 24 hours. Solar power is feasible although the amount of solar energy reaching Mars is only half that compared to the Earth. Small, modular, nuclear reactors would make sense on Mars. NASA is developing the Kilopower system which would be very useful for powering habitats. But for the production of propellant one would need a whole lot more than that. Many knowledgeable space advocates believe that nuclear power will be necessary for a reusable transportation system to the Martian surface and for a growing base / settlement.