PROJECT EPSILON: SENDING ROBOTS TO THE MOON
It is certainly a much bigger step to go from sending a probe to land on the Moon to sending people to the Moon than it is to go from sending a probe to Low Lunar Orbit (LLO) to landing one on the Moon. Therefore, a good way to bridge this huge gap is to achieve what we believe is the next best thing to sending people to the Moon: sending advanced robots that are controlled by people on earth.
A much larger probe than in the previous project can be sent to land on the Moon with, say, 10 small robots neatly packaged inside it, which will all be released upon landing. ‘Controlling rights’ to these robots can be sold to individuals and firms on earth to use for their own personal exploratory purposes. Some may be businesses conducting their own research, renting out the controlling rights for a profit or just seeking publicity. Others may be wealthy individuals or families who have already travelled the world and who are now looking for something a bit ‘out of this world’ to tickle their fancies.
Regardless of how they are used, these robots will certainly be popular and using them will feel a lot like being on the Moon while still being in the comfort – and safety – of our earthly abodes. The robots themselves can take on various forms such as rovers, various types of vehicles, humanoids and even machines that appear to fly as they take advantage of the Moon’s weak gravity and hop from one spot to the next.
However, one important goal that we must achieve with these robots is exploring what we believe are currently the best areas of the Moon for human colonies to find out which specific spots within those areas are the best for setting up permanent bases and mines. In addition, advanced robotics can be used to commence the construction of these bases and mines to await their future colonists. Inflatable structures and 3D printers that can utilise local Lunar materials can even be brought over from earth to assist them in the process.
Once this project is completed, it will be time to focus on the most fascinating and ambitious project on the horizon: sending people to the Moon, as described on the next page.
