Students' $550B moon colony

During its mission, the Galileo spacecraft returned a number of images of Earth's only natural satellite. Galileo surveyed the moon on Dec. 7, 1992, on its way to explore the Jupiter system in 1995-1997.

This color mosaic was assembled from 18 images taken by Galileo's imaging system through a green filter. On the upperleft is the dark, lava-filled Mare Imbrium, Mare Serenitatis (middle left), Mare Tranquillitatis (lower left), and Mare Crisium, the dark circular feature toward the bottom of the mosaic. Also visible in this view are the dark lava plains of the Marginis and Smythii Basins at the lower right.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. A team of Purdue University students has created a $550 billion plan to colonize the moon as part of a senior design project.

The 1,100-page report outlines plans for a project that the students call Project Artemis. The proposed moon colony would be the first step toward the eventual colonization of Mars.

The moon colony would have three separate outposts where people would live for about four years. The proposed visit would begin in 2024.

Professor James Longuski says the moon outpost would help scientists learn more about the requirements for a one-way trip to Mars, which would be challenged by radiation and low gravity.

The Journal & Courier reports the team presented its report to a crowd of spectators Thursday. NASA administrators in Houston listened by speakerphone.

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Students' $550B moon colony