ESA Scientist Wants "Noah's Ark" On Moon

The European Space Agency's chief scientist, Dr. Bernard Foing, says we should establish a permanent manned base on the moon to sustain life in the event of a catastrophe on Earth (see also CNN, SPACE.com). "In the event of a catastrophe on Earth--either caused by a nuclear attack or an asteroid collision, which we hope would not happen--using samples of all organisms and a DNA repository, a Noah's Ark could be used to repopulate Earth when it was safe to return." The relationship between space and survival has been expressed by many others, including Carl Sagan, Stephen Hawking, Martin Rees, William Burrows, Robert Shapiro and Louis Halle.

Noah's Ark would be a bi-product of multiple, vigorous, private space programs. If we leave it to our Hot and Cold running politicians, we will be scratching our heads (or something lower) 20 years from now, wondering why we never colonized the MOON!

Burt Rutan has orbital spacecraft in the design phase right now. After that; The Moon?

Please refer to the Site of the Lunar Reclamation Society. They are not working on something like Noah's Arc - but on all things required for it. May be they are the ones doing private colonization of the moon in the future.



Dipl.-Volkswirt (bdvb) Augustin (Political Economist)

Seems like a pretty good idea. Who knows what the future holds, and it's always best to be prepared.

i think it's a good idea. a bit too close to earth, but a good idea. of course, it'll almost certainly never be built, though the first space university may serve as a close substitute when it opens (who knows how long that'll be).

Check out Trans Lunar Research website http://www.translunar.org