A Private Venture Wants to Build a Telescope on the Moon

Gizmodo.com ^ | 19 July 2013 | Jamie Condliffe

[Windflier]

There might not be a man on the moon right now—but there may soon be a gazing eye. A new private venture aims to build a long-range telescope on our planet's little satellite, and it could happen as soon 2016.

A partnership between Moon Express, Inc. and the International Lunar Observatory Association is all set to install the telescope on the humble lump of rock. The plan is to position the 2-meter dish antenna, known as the International Lunar Observatory, on the rim of a crater near the moon’s South pole.

The first step will be a proof-of-concept mission, which will see the partnership take a shoebox-sized device called ILO-X to the moon in 2015. If that's successful, the full-size telescope will follow early the next year.

The aim of the project is to provide new views of the universe—but the plan is to democratize star gazing, too. Data from the telescopes will be made freely available online for use by citizen scientists. But don't be entirely taken in by the good vibes—Moon Express admits that it's going to explore the area around the South pole for minerals and water while it's at it, too.

[Windflier]

Going where private enterprise has never gone before.

It's a good thing.

[Paladin2]

Kool.

Go 4 it.

[cripplecreek]

Yup.

[Drango]

Not my nickle. Go for it...

[montag813]

But don't be entirely taken in by the good vibes—Moon Express admits that it's going to explore the area around the South pole for minerals and water while it's at it, too.

WTF does THAT mean? So using technology for finding mineral resources is evil? Don't spoil my "vibe", dude!

[Zeneta]

Will they have to put it on the dark side of the moon ?

[dfwgator]

There is no dark side of the moon, really...Matter of fact, it’s all dark.

[Windflier]

So using technology for finding mineral resources is evil? Don't spoil my "vibe", dude!

Yeah, I caught that too, but whaddya want? The youngsters have been fed the anti-capitalist pablum since kindergarten.

We gotta work on that.

[wastedyears]

Go for it

But only if I can man it.

[Windflier]

Not my nickle. Go for it...

Ain't free enterprise grand? It's going to get us to the stars one day.

[driftdiver]

Thats racist!

[Windflier]

Will they have to put it on the dark side of the moon ?

No, they're planning on putting it at the south pole of the moon, where the temperature is more stable.

[mrsmith]

The downfall of America was finalized the day we abandoned the Moon.

Have the treaties illegalizing the exploitation of the Moon ever been repudiated?

[RoosterRedux]

I agree. If it can pay its way...go for it!

[YHAOS]

The building permits will be a nightmare.

[Windflier]

The downfall of America was finalized the day we abandoned the Moon.

We've had a lot of dark turning points, but I agree, that was one of the biggies.

Who would have ever thought Americans would have to hitch a ride to space with the Russians??

[ClearCase_guy]

explore the area around the South pole for minerals and water

Don't worry. They will undoubtedly find a snail darter or some kind of owl and have to cancel the whole thing. It always works out that way.

[tumblindice]

Is the Moon as cold as Canada?

[jyro]

private venture? the NSA?

[Zeneta]

I think it’s a great idea.

I haven’t looked at a “map” of our solar system and it’s place in our Galaxy in some time, but I suspect this observation platform will provide views of the Universe that we have never seen.