On: Designing a Full-Time Human Habitat on the Moon

[dr_dshiv]

Extreme sports on the moon (moonball, dirtbiking, etc) might be able to pay for themselves if there is sustained global media attention. There are large existing radiation shielded structures on the moon in the form of lava tubes [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_lava_tube

The old economies were driven by commodities. Ours is driven by attention. How might we build a multi-billion dollar media property on the moon?

[A2017U1 → dr_dshiv]

Not sure if it can be called extreme but humans would be capable of self powered flight in lunar gravity. Strap on some wings like those comical attempts in the 1900’s and soar to your hearts content. I could see it being very popular for space tourists.

[dmurray → A2017U1]

Wings aren't much use with zero atmosphere. You'd need some kind of a jetpack, or a pressurised indoor arena to fly in.

[bostonpete → dmurray]

Step 1: Add an atmosphere to the moon.... ;-)

[A2017U1 → dmurray]

The idea is it being in an enclosed livable area.

Outside with propulsion would be actually quite dangerous in comparison.

[marssaxman → A2017U1]

> Outside with propulsion would be actually quite dangerous in comparison.

Ooh, really? Well, that sounds interesting; just how dangerous would you say it is, compared to motorcycling, or free-climbing?

[A2017U1 → marssaxman]

This is funny to think about, I'm no expert but probably far more dangerous unless your moon propulsion is dramatically restricted.

You need a fullbody suit to maintain it's integrity, so taking even a minor spill is not a good idea. There's no terminal velocity either so if you go up a reasonable amount and lose power you'd make a visible crater. You just keep speeding up until reaching the moon's escape velocity (2.4km/s)