Moon Capital: A Commercial Gateway To The Moon

[EarthlingX]

http://www.space-travel.com : Moon Capital: A Commercial Gateway To The Moon

by Marc M. Cohen
Washington DC (SPX) Aug 30, 2010
On 21 September 2010, the Moon Capital Competition will accept entries for the architectural design of an international and commercial lunar habitation. The prime sponsors of the competition who are putting up the prize money are: The Boston Society of Architects (American Institute of Architects) and The New England Council of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Other sponsors include: Draper Laboratory, Google Lunar X Prize, AIAA Space Architecture Technical Committee, and The Boston Center for the Arts

The competition is open to all comers, although its slant is largely toward space architects and architects who may become inspired to design in space.

Moon Capital consists of the planning and design of a Second Generation Habitation on the Moon to support a resident staff of 60 people. The groundbreaking on the Moon will occur July 20, 2069, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing. Second Generation means that a prior lunar base exists that can serve as the construction camp and the assembly point for building Moon Capital.

http://www.shiftboston.org : MOON CAPITAL Competition 2010

an international design challenge

When considering the future of design let's start looking out into space. WHAT IF we could occupy the Moon only 100 years after our first visit there in July of 1969? Might the Moon become an independent, self-sustaining, and sovereign state? If so WHY NOT start designing for that new world NOW?

THINK BEYOND what is familiar and envision design in DEEP SPACE.

“Fifty years after the creation of NASA, our goal is no longer just a destination to reach. Our goal is the capacity for people to work and learn and operate and live safely beyond the Earth for extended periods of time, ultimately in ways that are more SUSTAINABLE and even indefinite.”
President Barack Obama (15 April 2010)

On the way to Mars, the nations of our world will explore and demonstrate SOLUTIONS for living in deep space indefinitely, and for building colonies on other planets. Together, our governments and other commercial enterprises will also build on the Moon during this century with active research outposts, tourist destinations, and eventually new cities.

SHIFTboston seeks to expand the possibilities for the future of design by asking you to explore the concept of a moon habitat that will include both living and working in addition to collecting the most provocative visions for new Lunar possibilities. WE WANT YOU TO THINK BIG.