As the Blue Ghost module prepares to land on the moon, a new lunar economy is taking shape. This emerging economic system will rely on harnessing the moon’s natural resources to construct scientific infrastructure and support future space exploration.
The launch of the Blue Ghost module, set to land on the moon early next month, marks a crucial step in establishing an Earth-moon supply chain.
A photo from the ‘Blue Ghost satellite as it enters the moon’s orbit’.
Photograph: Firefly Aerospace/NASA
Save this story
The foundations for a lunar economy are already being laid. This new economic system will rely on harnessing the moon’s natural resources to construct scientific infrastructure and support future space exploration. The moon is also poised to become a potential spaceport for more distant destinations, such as Mars.
A lunar economy refers to the potential for economic activity on the Moon, harnessing its resources and leveraging its strategic location.
With advancements in space technology, nations are exploring ways to exploit lunar assets, including helium-3 for nuclear fusion energy and rare earth minerals.
Establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon could also facilitate in-orbit manufacturing, asteroid mining, and space-based solar power generation.
Private space firm Firefly Aerospace, based in Texas, is among those vying to be part of this new lunar gold rush. Its ‘Blue Ghost 1 mission’ , launched on January 15, has demonstrated the first stage of a delivery system between Earth and the moon.
The Blue Ghost Mission
Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander is currently en route to the surface of the moon. To complete its mission, the module must enter orbit, make a controlled descent to Mare Crisium—a large basin in the moon’s northern hemisphere—survive the extreme conditions, deploy scientific equipment, and take environmental readings.
The mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, which awards contracts to companies to solve space-exploration problems. NASA is focusing on sending astronauts back to the moon under the Artemis program, but private firms will be responsible for sending supplies and bringing back samples taken by the crew.
Unlocking the Moon’s Resources
Before establishing an Earth-moon delivery system, companies must prove they have the technological capability to place technology on the lunar surface. Blue Ghost will face its decisive test on March 2, when it is slated to touch down on the moon.
The module is carrying 10 experiments, including a computer that measures circuit resistance to space radiation and a camera for studying floating regolith—dust particles suspended above the moon’s surface. The lander will also photograph a lunar eclipse, where the moon falls into Earth’s shadow and is blocked from the sun.
A New Era of Space Exploration
Ahead of the moment of descent, NASA has shared images of the lander maneuvering into lunar orbit.
The south pole of the Moon, captured by a camera on Blue Ghost 1.
Photograph: Firefly Aerospace/NASA
The moon’s resources hold great promise for future space exploration. Helium-3, in particular, has attracted significant interest due to its potential applications as a fuel for nuclear fusion, quantum computing, and medical imaging.
Helium-3 is a rare isotope of helium, making up only about 1.4 parts per million of the Earth's atmosphere.
It is a stable isotope, meaning it does not decay into other elements.
Helium-3 has several unique properties that make it valuable for scientific research and industrial applications.
For example, it is used as fuel in nuclear fusion reactions, which could potentially provide a clean and sustainable source of energy.
Additionally, helium-3 is used in cryogenics to cool superconducting materials.
A stable isotope of helium, ‘helium-3 doesn’t occur naturally on Earth but can be produced by fusion in the sun and blown out across the solar system by solar winds‘ . It’s believed that pockets of this isotope may have accumulated in the moon’s regolith due to its lack of a magnetosphere.
The Future of Lunar Development
A sustained human presence on the moon will require even more services, including lunar roads, railroads, and concrete. The realization of these developments will begin with CLPS missions like Blue Ghost, which will establish delivery systems in space and pave the way for future exploration.
Lunar development refers to the process of creating infrastructure and resources on the Moon.
Historically, lunar development began in the late 1950s with the Soviet Union's 'Luna program' , which aimed to explore the Moon's surface.
The United States followed suit with its 'Apollo program' , resulting in six manned missions between 1969 and 1972.
Since then, several countries have sent robotic missions to the Moon, including NASA's 'Artemis program' , which aims to return humans to the lunar surface by 2024.
Private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are also investing heavily in lunar development.
- wired.com | The Lunar Economy Is Coming
