Moon Base Camp Would Offer 'Practice'

ByABC News
August 30, 2004, 2:45 PM

Jan. 12, 2004 — -- When President Bush announces an ambitious plan on Wednesday to send astronauts back to the moon as a stepping stone to a manned Mars flyby, many may wonder why not aim for the Red Planet directly.

One big reason is practice. Many scientists believe that before astronauts attempt to reach Mars, a so-called "camp site" on the moon is needed to test out transportation and survival capabilities.

The moon is an average 250,000 miles from Earth a stone's throw compared to the average 48 million miles that separate our planet and Mars. There are many critical questions about surviving on a hostile surface that still need to be addressed, such as radiation exposure, microgravity concerns and keeping up supplies of air, food, water and energy. Most believe it's best to figure out these issues from a place that's closer to home.

As a 1992 NASA report states, "the relatively accessible moon affords valuable experience in living on a hostile planetary surface while still maintaining the option to return quickly to Earth in an emergency."

Getting to Mars, even in a fly-by mission, is a grand goal that's "surpassingly fascinating and desirable," says Harley Thronson, director of technology in the Office of Space Science at NASA headquarters in Washington. But, he adds, "It's virtually certain we would need an intermediate step like the moon to get there."

Here are some key factors scientists need to address to establish a lunar base camp and a subsequent manned trip to Mars.

According to a May 1992 NASA report, nuclear energy could offer powerful propulsion for the heavy-lifting that will be required to carry the significant supplies for setting up camp on the lunar surface. It will also be critical in cutting the traveling time to Mars and reducing travelers' exposure to dangerous radiation.