Luna (Earth's Moon)

The Moon's close proximity makes it by far the most likely candidate for NSDF exploration. Most of the debris that hit Earth burned up in the atmosphere. There is strong reason to believe that it holds a far greater supply. When the shower hit the moon, the debris landed on its dark side, so we can only guess at what it hides.

Exploiting the moon's resources would require three moon bases, including a mining base at the northern pole. The polar base would provide continuouus exposure to the sun and an ample amount of solar generated power. Lunar rocks contain about 40% oxygen and could be mined for environmental systems.

There is also the possiblity that a small region near the perpetually shaded southern pole hides a frozen reservoir or water ice. If true, this may warrant a fourth facility.

Position: Satellite of Earth

Distance from Sun: 1 Astronomical Unit

Distance from Earth: 384,400 Kilometers

Surface Gravity: 0.166

Surface Composition: Basaltic Rock

Atmospheric Pressure: 0 Bar

Surface Temperature: (Light side) 107 Celsius (dark side) -153 Celsius

Axis Rotation: StaticSun Orbit Period: 365.26 Days

Earth Orbit Period: 27.32 Days

Diameter: 3476 Kilometers