The Moon Base as a Commercial Hub

Abstract

The main limitation of current space settlement plans is, without doubt, the cost. Even though some people might argue that we lack some key technologies for long-term human habitation, such as closed-loop life support or advanced propulsion, the criterion that determines which technologies are necessary is at its core a trade-off between cost and risk. If a given program needs to be implemented with current technological levels, a desired level of risk can usually be achieved by increasing the cost, which is the current practice among public entities. In contrast, outsourcing several activities of the lunar outpost to private companies, for example cargo delivery or resource production, would reduce costs for the main partners, while at the same time putting in place the necessary infrastructure for the creation of a commercial economy in cislunar space. A planetary defense goal could provide the final element in the value chain for commercial activities in the cislunar region, thus creating an initial demand for the different commercial activities. This chapter presents several proposals for public-private partnerships that could be the basis for the commercialization of the lunar outpost, and the possibilities that they present for the development of the multipurpose planetary defense base.