Man has left more than 200 tons of debris scattered on the surface of the moon – from devices such as astronaut shoes and shovels to parts of the spacecraft crashed. Due to the extreme atmosphere of the Moon, this “lunar litter” environment and lack of weather can be untouched and preserved for 100 million years.
As the new missions prepare to search and settle on the moon, this growing pile of space-age presents a unique challenge-and opportunity. Scientists and space agencies are now leading innovative ways to recycle and re -introduce these remains in useful materials. Target? To reduce waste on future missions, reduce environmental effects, and change the goods left in valuable resources for lunar houses and construction.
This new approach to lunar stability can mark an important step in the long-term presence of humanity beyond Earth-transforming the Moon into a foundation for future space efforts from a cemetery of previous investigations.
