Moon Colonization: A Leadership Chance for Israel
The Moon has been a topic of debate since the 17th century, with colonization being contested for perpetuating colonialism and its exploitive logic in space. International space law declares laying claim to the Moon illegal, and no state has made such claims. Current projects for establishing permanent crewed presence on the Moon focus on building moonbases for exploration and to a lesser extent for exploitation of lunar resources. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty defines the Moon and all outer space as the “province of all mankind,” restricting its use to peaceful purposes and banning military installations and weapons of mass destruction. The landing of US astronauts was seen as a precedent for the superiority of the free-market socioeconomic model of the US, which was successful in space flight, exploration, and colonization. A range of moonbases have been proposed by states and public actors, with the US-led international Artemis program seeking to establish a state-run orbital lunar way-station in the late 2020s and China proposing the International Lunar Research Station with Russia to establish an Earth-Moon Space Economic Zone by 2050.
The 1979 Moon Treaty.
The 1979 Moon Treaty, a multilateral agreement between the United States, Russia, and China, grants jurisdiction over all celestial bodies to participating countries. As of May 2024, 17 states are parties to the treaty, with national considerations playing a significant role in its legal status. The treaty prohibits sovereignty of “any part” of space and has been a contentious issue in the international community. The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) failed to produce a consensus on sustainable development of outer space. Experts argue that the “national” treaty explicitly allows commercial mining, which is inconsistent with the Moon Treaty and customary international law. Australia has signed and ratified both the Moon Treaty and the Artemis Accords, which have been in effect since January 2023. An Implementation Agreement for the Moon Treaty has been advocated to compensate for its shortcomings and harmonize it with other laws. The US Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act of 2015 is a significant step towards legalizing space mining, allowing US citizens and companies to own and sell materials extracted from celestial bodies, including asteroids and the Moon. Critics argue that the law undermines international consensus on space resource management and could lead to conflicts over extraterrestrial resources. NASA’s long-term goal is to create a permanent lunar outpost for future missions to Mars and beyond.
Russia’s plans for the Moon Colonization.
Russia is planning a series of lunar colonization missions, aiming to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon, primarily through collaboration with China. Key components include Luna-25, launched in August 2023, which aims to land on the Moon’s South Pole and analyze lunar regolith samples. Luna-26 is an orbital mission to study the Moon from a low polar orbit, providing detailed data about the lunar surface. Luna-27 is a follow-up landing mission that will further investigate the Moon’s regolith and potentially include instruments from the European Space Agency for enhanced scientific capabilities. Russia is also working on establishing the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) in partnership with China, which will be constructed in three phases: research and initial construction, setting up a control center, and operational studies, technology verification, and potentially landing humans on the Moon.
China’s plans for the Moon colonization.
China is set to establish the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) in collaboration with Russia, aiming to create a permanent research facility on the Moon. The project will consist of sections on the lunar surface, in lunar orbit, and on Earth. The construction is expected to unfold in two phases: Phase 1, which aims to establish a foothold near the Moon’s South Pole, and Phase 2, which will expand the station by 2045. China plans to launch five missions between 2030 and 2035 as part of the construction efforts. The ILRS will facilitate scientific research within a 100 km radius of the lunar South Pole, with plans to expand operations across the Moon by 2050. The base will support long-term scientific studies and exploration efforts, including potential resource extraction. The base will be powered by nuclear and solar power, ensuring a sustainable energy supply for operations and habitation.
Other Countries plans for the Moon colonization.
Several countries, including India, the European Space Agency (ESA), Japan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Korea, and Israel, have expressed plans for human settlements on the Moon. India’s Gaganyaan Mission aims to send its first crewed mission to space, with plans for lunar exploration in the future. The ESA has proposed the concept of a “Moon Village,” which envisions a collaborative international effort to establish a human settlement on the Moon. Japan’s space agency, JAXA, plans to send astronauts to the Moon by the late 2020s as part of its broader lunar exploration program. The UAE has announced plans for a lunar rover mission called Rashid, set to launch in 2024, indicating its growing interest in lunar activities and potential future human settlement initiatives. South Korea has outlined plans for lunar exploration missions, including sending a lander and rover by 2030.
Israel’s plans for the Moon colonization.
Israel is actively involved in lunar exploration and the potential establishment of human settlements on the Moon through its Israel Space Agency (ISA) and nonprofit organization SpaceIL. Key initiatives include Beresheet missions, launched in February 2019 and focusing on scientific research and educational outreach. In 2018, NASA signed an agreement with ISA to collaborate on lunar missions, providing support through a laser retroreflector array for tracking and communication. In January 2022, Israel officially joined NASA’s Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence by the end of the decade. Israel’s ambitions extend beyond exploration, fostering public-private partnerships to accelerate commercial activities in space, including potential lunar colonization efforts. The upcoming Beresheet 2 mission will serve both scientific and educational purposes, inspiring future generations about space exploration.
The most noticeable 50 Israeli startups involved in Moon colonization are: Helios, a startup that produces oxygen from lunar soil, is developing technology to enable lunar colonies to live off the land using local resources. Inhayle, a company that won the EXPAND space accelerator program, focuses on developing hydroxyl-based surface disinfection technologies for maintaining cleanliness in space habitats. Tedence, founded by Morris Laster, is working on an AI medical platform for health diagnostics in space environments. Omnidrill is creating underground robotic technologies for sustainable infrastructure solutions for Earth and future lunar colonies. OASIX is developing carbon-neutral heating and cooling systems for lunar habitats, and NOVAlert is creating smart sensors for monitoring physiological conditions through clothing. The EXPAND accelerator program is designed to propel startups developing technologies for sustainable exploration and settlement of the Moon and Mars. Israel’s participation in accelerator programs like EXPAND demonstrates its commitment to becoming a significant player in the future of space exploration and colonization.
Moon & Mars Colonization Challenges.
The Moon is considered less risky for human settlements due to various dangers, including radiation exposure, asteroid impacts, and environmental challenges. Mars encounters 2.5 to 3 times more potentially hazardous asteroid impacts than Earth, with around 17,000 PHAs potentially impacting or coming close to Mars. The frequency of impacts is estimated at 180 to 260 per year, posing a significant risk to settlements. Environmental challenges on Mars include extreme temperature fluctuations, dust storms, and potential contamination from Martian microbes. The Moon’s proximity to Earth may facilitate quicker resupply missions and emergency evacuations. The Moon’s thin atmosphere exposes inhabitants to high levels of cosmic radiation, which can lead to increased cancer risk. Solar particle events, similar to the Moon, can cause acute radiation exposure, posing immediate health risks to astronauts during solar storms. Understanding these threats is crucial for ensuring the safety and sustainability of life on Mars. Engineering solutions, such as constructing habitats with adequate shielding from radiation and designing structures resilient against meteor impacts, are essential for long-term lunar habitation.
Why the Moon is the Ultimate Frontier for Human Settlement Over Mars?
The Moon is a more viable candidate for human settlement than Mars due to its proximity, resource availability, and logistical feasibility. The Moon’s closer proximity to Earth allows for shorter travel times, reduced radiation exposure, and easier resupply missions. It also requires fewer resources and lower initial investment, making it a more cost-effective base for establishing a sustainable human presence. The Moon can serve as a testing ground for technologies needed for longer-duration missions to Mars, providing valuable insights into managing life-support systems, habitat construction, and resource utilization. Human presence on the Moon allows for quicker scientific discoveries compared to robotic missions, enhancing our understanding of lunar geology and resources. While the Moon lacks some resources, it may still offer valuable materials like Helium-3 for future energy production and lunar regolith could be used in construction and manufacturing processes. Mars, on the other hand, has its own advantages, such as a more Earth-like day-night cycle and potential resources like water ice, present in quantity. However, it also faces challenges such as longer transit risks and more complex life support needs due to its thin atmosphere and greater distance from Earth.
Why Israel should invest everything in Moon settlements?
Israel’s investment in Moon settlements offers strategic, economic, and scientific advantages. It can establish itself as a leader in the growing space exploration field, aligning with its history of innovation and technological advancement. Israel has established partnerships with major space agencies, such as NASA, which enhances its credibility and influence in global space initiatives. The growing space economy is projected to reach $400 billion, and Israel’s investment in lunar activities could position it to capture a significant share of this market. The Moon colonization effort can stimulate the private sector by encouraging startups and established companies to develop technologies for lunar exploration, leading to job creation and economic growth within Israel’s tech ecosystem. Scientific advances can be made through research and development on the Moon, including studies of lunar geology, potential resources like Helium-3, and technologies for sustainable living in space. The Moon serves as an ideal testing ground for technologies needed for future Mars missions, providing valuable insights into life support systems, habitat construction, and resource utilization. Investments in lunar colonization also promote STEM education, inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers, and foster national pride and unity among Israelis. The Israeli government has committed approximately 600 million shekels (around $180 million) over the next five years to bolster its civilian space industry.
The Moon’s proximity, logistical advantages, and potential as a testing ground make it a more immediate candidate for establishing human settlements compared to Mars, and, is a unique opportunity for growth, innovation and global leadership for Israel.