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When On the Moon and Mars, Move Underground

astroengine writes "Recent observations of the lunar and martian surface are turning up multiple discoveries of 'skylights' — collapsed roofs of hollow rilles or lava tubes. These holes into ready-made underground bunkers could provide ideal shelter for future manned bases on the two worlds. Firstly, they would provide shelter from the barrage of micrometeorites, solar x-rays and deep space cosmic rays. Secondly, they'd help protect our burgeoning colonists from the extreme swings in surface temperature (on the moon, temperatures vary by 500 degrees F, but inside these lava tubes, the environment remains at a fairly constant -35 degrees). Thirdly, the sci-fi notion of underground space cities could become a reality."

5 of 294 comments (clear)

  1. Why are we still talking about this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I thought we agreed to kill any NASA funding that looked like it might be headed towards progress?

    (captcha: realist)

  2. Zapp Brannigan on Operation Moon Settlement by eldavojohn · · Score: 5, Funny

    The moon mole people--though defenseless and inviting--were no match for our rail guns and bunker busting missiles. After denying hailing frequency after hailing frequency of cultural exchange, I fearlessly and heroically protected the Earth by sitting at rest in a fully armored spaceship at the Earth/Moon L1 position. In a very sensual valour snuggie I drank the hot cocoa of the gods as wave after wave of our warriors bounced around the moon exterminating the moon mole people with golf clubs, the very same fearsome weapon used by the first of our warriors to set foot on the moon decades ago.

    President Nixon, I present to you a new settlement and planet completely safe and devoid of the once furry stubby armed moon mole people!

    --
    My work here is dung.
  3. "We'll just take refuge in this old lava tube..." by GameGod0 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Famous last words.

  4. Re:radiation and solar flares a serious problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Duh! You just travel at night!

  5. Re:Why bother? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's exactly why I live in my parent's basement!