ESB on the Moon

_Tombstone_

The lunar electrical power utility

This article proposes that a lunar electrical power utility be formed early to serve as a driver of lunar commercial development. Communications and positioning are two other services whose reliable availability to all parties would accelerate lunar development.

Scores of projects are being proposed for the Moon by established spacefaring powers as well as new players. The far side “Moon Village” proposed by the head of the European Space Agency, Johann-Dietrich Wörner has drawn great interest (see “Building a Moon village”, The Space Review, November 2, 2015). Of particular note is the endorsement of the concept by George Nield, the head of the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation, who noted recently that no US agency has been authorized to supervise commercial space activities.

Big snag with planning for all this is they don't know how much water is on the Moon, that could be used for In situ resource utilization (ISRU) - easily converted to fuel, radiation shielding, consumption and then used for mining iron, aluminum, titanium, silicon, other elements which can then be used to manufacture products with high value.

For example, the Compton-Belkovich Thorium Anomaly could potentially be a source of thorium4 for use as a fuel in nuclear reactors in space, avoiding the danger of launching significant radioactive mass from the Earth.

Came across this Article then on a concept to get a craft to the moon that'll release a rake of probes to crash into the Poles and run tests on the Elements available.

Another Way to Land on the Moon

ps200306

Sounds about as practical as a colony on Mars. What's the value proposition / unique selling point?