Living on the Moon will be a reality faster than you think

Man landed on the moon in 1969 for the first time. Since then, scientists have dedicated themselves to studying our natural satellite to better understand its characteristics, formation and functioning. But, by all indications, we are close to reaching another level: living on the Moon.

Read more: Artemis I Mission: meet the new date for the trip to the moon

In an interview with BBC News, Howard Hu, a senior NASA official and leader of the Orion aerospace program, this is a reality that is very close to happening. In the coming years, the agency wants to send astronauts to live on the lunar surface and do science there.

How will the path to live on the moon be?

The first step towards realizing this dream took place on November 16th, when the Artemis I rocket took off. First, the journey will send an unmanned spacecraft to the outskirts of the Moon. Thus, it will open space for the NASA take astronauts to the lunar surface.

The rocket had a capsule at its tip, which detached itself as soon as it reached space. Called Orion, the small spacecraft should travel around 2 million kilometers and return to Earth in a period of 25 days.

After orbiting the Moon, the capsule will return and crash into the Pacific Ocean on December 11th. NASA even has an estimate of the exact location: it will be on the coast of San Diego, California. In the meantime, scientists will evaluate the spacecraft's performance.

When will humans go?

If everything is right, the first manned mission to orbit the natural satellite should take place in 2024. However, there is still no prediction of when we, mere mortals, will have the chance to live this experience.

And to think that not long ago this was talk of film ofScience fiction! And there? Would you dare to live on the moon?

Graduated in Social Communication at the Federal University of Goiás. Passionate about digital media, pop culture, technology, politics and psychoanalysis.