Lunar Homesteading is a new concept for most people. We’ve been conditioned to think of Luna (The Moon to most people) as a lethal place that only major governments and large corporations can visit. Sure, in science fiction humans are like weeds. We can survive anywhere in the solar system. But we’re told that in the “real world” it will take billions (or trillions) of dollars and years (or decades) to create long-duration bases (or outposts) on the Lunar surface. And so it seems because it has been a LONG time since humans have even visited Luna.
I don’t think that has to be the case. In this section I’ll try to lay out my ideas as simply and logically as I can. Let me know what you think.
Also, please send me an email (ben@lunarhomestead.com) if you have a question that I haven’t answered yet. Maybe it will end up in the FAQ and help lots of other people.
What is Lunar Homesteading?
Lunar Homesteading is a new paradigm. Maybe it’s not really new but it’s new to me. Here’s the basic premise:
Lunar settlement for everyone
What does that mean?
- We design simple, reliable, and effective technology and techniques that will allow anyone to thrive on Luna. Not just a few highly trained individuals. Not just government, corporate, or wealthy astronauts. Everyone. Creating this tech is going to require a significant grass-roots research effort. So, the research is for everyone as well.
- Make this tech open source and affordable so small groups (possibly with backers) can establish thriving Lunar Homesteads. I envision Lunar Homesteading “Kits” that have everything a new Homestead will need.
- An expanding community of Homesteads creates the foundation for a cis-Lunar economy. They create a local demand for goods and services that New Space companies can profit from. The Homesteads also create goods and services that can be sold locally, in cis-Lunar space, and on Earth.
- The community expands in two ways. First, Homesteads are constantly being established as more people want to live on the Lunar Frontier. Two, the tech is designed so existing Homesteads can build most of what they need from Lunar materials. This allows them to expand their settlement and bring in more people.
- Lunar settlements don’t have to be immediately (or short-term) profitable, especially for Earth-based companies. That’s the current way of thing (the current paradigm) and it’s one of the biggest arguments holding us back. That’s not to say that Homesteaders won’t make money, just that it’s not the primary reason for their existence.
Lunar Homesteading isn’t the only possible space settlement paradigm. It may not even be the correct one. In my opinion, however, it offers a chance to break out of the rut we’re in and a way for everyone to get involved. Read on for how we’re going to do it.
- Lunar Homesteading at a Glance
- What is Lunar Homesteading? – This is a shorter version without all the data.
- What is Lunar Homesteading? – Full version
Lunar Homesteading Frequently Asked Questions
- Individual and small groups not government and corporations
- Lunar Homesteads not Bases, Outposts, or Cities
- Settlement first then transportation infrastructure
- What would a Lunar Homestead look like?
- Advantages of Lunar Homesteads
- Disadvantages of Lunar Homesteads
- Financing Lunar Homesteads
- Lunar Homestead legality
- How can we make Lunar Homesteads a reality?
Why Luna?
- Luna vs “The Moon”
- Settle Luna or Mars
- Settle Luna or Near-Earth Asteroids
- Settle Luna or doing nothing at all
- Luna first
Lunar Homestead “Rules”
- Safety is not guaranteed
- Lunar Homesteading is a one-way trip (at least initially)
- Cheap access to space (CAtS) is not necessary
- Homesteads are small scale
- Homesteads are primarily low-tech, rugged, and simple
- Homesteads maximize ISRU
- Homesteads are primarily sub-surface
- Homestead equipment operates in a protected, pressurized environment
- The rest of the “rules”
Lunar Homestead Components
There’s more information on Lunar Homesteading in my book series “Lunar Homesteader’s Survival Guides“. I decided to keep some things exclusively for the book instead of posting everything here. Nothing critical to the LH mission. Just stuff that gives more context or adds some depth. I figure I need to have something unique to the books.
Topics only found in the books include:
Lunar Homesteader’s Survival Guide: Book 1 – What is Lunar Homesteading?
- Why did we go to Luna the first time?
- Why did we abandon Luna?
- Why are we going back to Luna now?
- What is wrong with the current space paradigm?
FAQ Category Posts (all the posts in the FAQ category)
Independent Scientist Frequently Asked Questions
I figure since I’m calling myself an “Independent Scientist” I should also try to define that term as well.
- What is an Independent Scientist?
- Independent Scientists from the past
- What is Open Science?