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Moon exploration over the decades has contributed immensely towards technological innovations and advancement in the field of science. It has given a push to model work in the fields of aeronautics, robotics, Earth science and more. The leading space research agencies are currently working towards setting up outposts on the moon to facilitate further space exploration and also to take advantage of the many natural resources on the moon.
The moon has a prominent role to play in the lives of us earthlings. For centuries, mankind has studied the moon and its movements from afar. Since ancient civilisations, the moon’s position has been studied to predict the weather and determine the fortunes. In the 1950s, the USSR and the United States of America laid the foundation for the first scientific lunar exploration through the launch of robotic spacecraft. In 1959, the USSR’s Luna 1 was the first spacecraft to fly close to the moon. Nearly a decade later, in 1966, they achieved the first soft landing with the Luna 9. In 1969, the USA’s Apollo 11 achieved the first human landing. As of 2024, four nations have successfully landed on the moon - USSR, USA, China and India.
In July 2023, India’s premier space agency, ISRO, launched the Chandrayaan 3, a lunar exploration mission to study the Moon’s south pole. It includes a lander, Vikram, and a rover, Pragyan, designed to analyse lunar soil and geology. Chandrayaan 3's primary objectives were to demonstrate the capability of a soft landing and to conduct detailed scientific experiments to study the lunar surface and environment, marking a significant step in India's space exploration endeavours.
The moon has stoked mankind’s imagination for centuries, with tales such as Aesop’s fables to those in Hindu mythology. The two ‘what if?’ scenarios that we continue to fixate on, and have contributed immensely towards the scientific work we do is -
The moon has almost no atmosphere, so there is no oxygen for us to breathe, no water to drink and no gravity to hold us down. Days and nights are over two weeks long, and the moon’s surface reaches very hot and cold temperatures at as high as 123°C or as low as −233°C. To live on the moon, we will have to make biodomes and live in colonies that are given ample artificial support. SpaceX and other space agencies that are working on ambitious projects to reach Mars are researching ways in which self-sustaining bio-domes that can support human colonies can be established on the moon.
With barely any air or water, it would be difficult to survive on the moon. The human body would have to adapt to the new atmosphere. For instance, the Bajau people of the Tawi-Tawi have evolved to have enlarged spleen that helps them dive up to 200 feet deep in the sea and stay submerged for more than 10 minutes. However, unlike Earth, there is no proof of edible foods that humans need for sustenance. Thus, anyone planning to start a family on the moon must prepare to feed and nourish their offspring.
Living on the Moon will cause physiological changes in humans due to its low gravity, reduced atmosphere, and high radiation levels. Muscle atrophy and bone density loss can be caused due to prolonged exposure to 1/6th of Earth’s gravity as the body adjusts to reduced load-bearing activity. The lack of atmospheric pressure could affect cardiovascular health and fluid distribution. Increased radiation exposure means we have to take protective measures against cancer. Humans will experience altered metabolic rates and potentially modified skin and eye functions.
Only a limited number of people can be transported to the moon to live there, and in the bio-domes, this group must learn to live in close quarters, in a codependent space. They will have to evolve social structures and norms to emphasise collective effort and resource conservation. Lunar settlers might develop distinct cultural practices and rituals influenced by their environment, such as lunar-based art and communication styles. Social interactions will evolve due to the high-tech habitat. Lunar life has the potential to reshape values around human existence, sustainability, and our relationship with Earth.
If there were no moon, or the moon disappeared, the biggest observable impact would be that our nights would be lit by distantly twinkling stars and our oceans, rivers and also the land would be perfectly still, with no tidal movement. The moon’s pull holds the planet together, stabilising its tilt and ensuring that the Earth has measured rotations and revolutions that are responsible for the seasons and crying topography.
Many predators of the animal kingdom rely on the moon for night vision. Without moonlight, they will be unable to hunt and the resultant chaos can cause many species to go extinct. Furthermore, without the tides, many ocean creatures and migratory birds will be stranded in one place. It may affect amphibians that rely on tides to carry them into the sea or bring them to the coast.
Lunar missions have been pivotal in advancing space and planetary sciences. By studying the Moon’s surface and geology, scientists have gained insights into the early formation of the solar system and the impacts that shaped planetary bodies. Lunar samples reveal information about the Moon’s volcanic history and the evolutions of the Earth-Moon system. New technologies and strategies for future space exploration were tested in past missions. Moon's lack of atmosphere and low gravity provide clues about planetary science that help in developing methods for exploring other celestial bodies.
NASA's Artemis programme is a manned lunar mission that focuses on sustainable exploration. The recent findings of water ice at the lunar poles have the potential to support long-term missions. China's Chang'e missions have revealed new insights into lunar geology. Private companies like SpaceX are developing landers for future missions. The ongoing research focuses on using lunar resources for fuel, building habitats, and studying the Moon's role in understanding Earth's early history and the solar system's evolution.
There are diverse career opportunities in space sciences and astronomy for students passionate about exploring the universe. Aspiring astronomers can pursue roles in research on celestial bodies, black holes, and distant galaxies. Aerospace engineering is a path in which one designs and develops spacecraft and satellites. Planetary scientists study planets, moons, and other celestial objects. Astrobiologists explore the potential for life beyond Earth.
One can work in different capacities and projects at space agencies like ISRO, NASA, universities, private space companies, or observatories. With advancements in space exploration, students can contribute to missions that expand humanity’s reach beyond Earth.
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