Will the train run on the moon?

In the United States, after the approval of the relevant government agency, a train can run on the moon. The idea of ​​a railway network to connect various lunar bases could become a reality within the next 10 years.

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) will help fund the project. A lunar rail vehicle was proposed last year by spacecraft manufacturer Northrop Grumman.

The lunar railway network project is part of DARPA’s 10-year plan to build infrastructure on the Moon, aimed at supporting a future lunar economy that is expected to emerge as the world Space agencies are trying to have a permanent presence on the moon.

Both China and the US have plans to establish bases on the moon before the end of this decade. NASA’s Artemis mission is expected to be the first mission to return humans to the Moon.

Northrop Grumman said in a statement that the proposed railway network could transport people, supplies and resources across the lunar surface for commercial projects that would help the US and international partners in the space economy.

After being selected for the Lunar Architecture Capability Study (Loan A-10), Northrop Grumman will now work on developing a prototype of a fully functional lunar railway system.

The company will also explore different ways to build, operate and repair the train network on the moon, possibly including developing robots capable of performing basic tasks.

DARPA program manager Dr. Michael Naik said the lunar economy is undergoing a ‘huge change’ over the next decade.

According to Dr. Naik, a railway system on the Moon would provide a network that could support a flourishing commercial economy on the Moon.

Chris Adams, general manager of Northrop Grumman, said: ‘This investment in key development research puts our technology at the forefront of the next generation.

‘With our proven experience in integrating complex systems and commercial autonomous services, we will continue to drive sustainable change for a sustainable space ecosystem.’