Critical Issues for Establishment of a Permanently-Occupied Lunar Base

摘要

The purpose of this study was to determine the critical issues for a potential lunar outpost by polling a group of experts knowledgeable about decision-making involving the allocation of large-scale resources. A Delphi exercise, is an iterative polling technique in which the group opinion is refined during successive iterations, while at the same time preserving the differing viewpoints among the group. The experts identified four critical issues: 1) demonstration of the value of a lunar base (e.g. cost effective lunar-based science, source of raw materials, technology spin-offs, etc.); 2) sustained political and financial support; 3) credibility of the government (i.e. NASA) in accomplishing such a large and complex program; 4) development of the military value of a lunar base.