NASA facts about living and working on the Moon

???? NASA Facts About Living and Working on the Moon

???? 1. Moon Days and Nights Last ~14 Earth Days Each

• A lunar day is about 29.5 Earth days long.

  

• That means ~14 days of sunlight followed by ~14 days of darkness, which creates extreme temperature shifts.

???? 2. Temperature Extremes Are Brutal

• In sunlight, temperatures can reach 127°C (260°F).

• In darkness, it can plummet to -173°C (-280°F).

• NASA is developing thermally controlled suits and habitats to manage this.

???? 3. No Atmosphere Means No Air or Weather

• The Moon has an exosphere, not a breathable atmosphere.

• All oxygen must be brought from Earth or extracted from lunar materials (like regolith-derived oxygen).

???? 4. Gravity is Just 1/6th of Earth's

• Moon gravity = 1.62 m/s².

• This allows humans to jump higher, carry more weight, and need specially designed tools and suits to avoid imbalance.

???? 5. Lunar Dust Is a Major Problem

• Called regolith, this fine, glass-like dust sticks to everything.

• It’s abrasive, can damage equipment, and pose health risks if inhaled.

• NASA is working on dust-resistant suits and airlocks.

???? 6. Water Ice Has Been Found at the Poles

• Especially in permanently shadowed craters.

• This water could be used for drinking, growing food, and even converted into hydrogen/oxygen for fuel and breathing.

???? 7. Power Will Be Solar or Nuclear

• Solar panels are ideal for equatorial regions.

• At the poles or in darkness, NASA may use small modular nuclear reactors (like Kilopower) for consistent energy.

???? 8. Communication With Earth Has a 1.3-Second Delay

• The Moon is about 384,400 km (238,855 mi) away.

• Real-time communication has a noticeable lag, requiring careful mission planning.

???? 9. Habitat Concepts Include Underground & Inflatable Bases

• NASA and its partners are exploring 3D-printed regolith shelters, buried habitats, and inflatable living quarters to protect against radiation and micrometeorites.

???? 10. NASA Plans Long-Term Moon Living by the 2030s

• The Artemis program aims to build a sustainable human presence.

• Includes the Lunar Gateway station and Artemis Base Camp on the Moon’s surface.