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© David H. Troyer
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Nearly every time I look at the moon, I see a glowing sphere of opportunity. I see a shimmering landscape just waiting to be discovered, charted, and inhabited by mankind.
Granted, we are still several years away anyone taking up permanent residence on this conveniently placed object, but given the Google X-Prize of 30 Million Dollars (http://www.googlelunarxprize.org/), we should at least see some new moon footage by the end of 2015.
On their page explaining why they are a part of this challenge (http://www.googlelunarxprize.org/prize-details/why-google-lunar-x-prize), Google explains that since commercial space companies are doing things that only governments could do in years past and that "inexpensive regular access to the Moon is the next critical stepping stone for further exploration of our solar system and universe." All things considered, I agree with them 100%.
I believe that It will be not only the "commercial space companies" that pave the way, but also large corporations such as Google which pave the way to the next era in the history of mankind.
Once inexpensive regular access to the moon is possible, it is not unforeseeable for Google Maps to chart the moon. Once this happens, it will open the door for other companies to find an inhabitable section of the moon and develop it in order to meet their needs.
I could easily see major hotel chains, or perhaps a developer, such as Donald Trump creating self-sustaining buildings complete with both business and living quarters.
The Walt Disney Company, as well as several other companies are presented with the unique opportunity of developing hotels where people can see the moon, and then, if there is enough revenue created from this, using them as a starting point for adding full-blown resorts where people can enjoy a low-gravity theme park. I could easily see several themed Walt Disney hotels on the moon's surface in the next 20-30 years
The best part is that it is not just America thinking about the future development of the moon. Apparently, several other countries, like Russia and China, are trying to do so as well. Perhaps several nations and corporations could band together in order to build a self-sustaining livable environment. If they do, it would present a unique opportunity for those who may choose to live on the moon to be a truly international community. It would provide a chance for scientists to study the moon and all that it has to offer, while living in what could be the most high tech and amazing place to live in the universe!
Of course, I think that the moon is pretty, or that those I love are somewhere out there beneath the pail moonlight, as Fievel so aptly reminds us, but I am looking forward to the day, hopefully within my own lifetime, when someone living on the moon is no different than living in Tampa, or London, or Los Angeles.
I truly believe that it is possible for mankind to develop colonies on the moon, and possibly other planets, but lets take it one step at a time.
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David H. Troyer
www.davidhtroyer.com
***David H. Troyer in no way represents Google, Microsoft, The Walt Disney Company, Donald Trump, or any other business or person mentioned in this blog. References to the Google X Prize website are provided so that the reader of this blog will be able to read official statements made by Google, Inc., instead of relying on the words of this author.
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