The Moon may soon have its first railway, thanks to an innovative person Northrop Grumman project commissioned by DARPA. The aerospace company will conduct a 10-year feasibility study. Objective? Evaluate the possibility of building a railway network on the lunar surface capable of transporting people, goods and resources to support commercial and exploration activities. This initiative, part of the program Lunar Architecture (MonA-10), represents a crucial step towards creating a solid infrastructure for the future space economy. “Only Galaxy, always Galaxy, like a dream this train will travel…”
For animation enthusiasts, the concept of a moon train might bring to mind the legendary “Galaxy Express 999”, the famous 80s anime in which the young protagonist Tetsuro traveled on a space train across the galaxy. Northrop Grumman's lunar railway will certainly not be a steam train like the one imagined by Leiji Matsumoto, but the basic idea is similar: to create an efficient and reliable transport system to connect different points, in this case on the surface of our satellite natural.
A feasibility study to address technological and logistical challenges
The feasibility study entrusted to Northrop Grumman, as mentioned, aims to determine the resources and connections necessary to build a lunar railway network. And it aims to do so first and foremost by identifying potential challenges in terms of costs, technology and logistics. The company will need to propose prototypes, demonstrations and analyzes to design a fully functional rail system, while also exploring ways to build and operate the infrastructure using robotics throughout. And when I say “everything” I mean everything: including tasks such as land leveling, track laying and maintenance. With advances in robotics that we are witnessing, is no longer impossible.
Chris Adams, vice president and general manager of Strategic Space Systems at Northrop Grumman, highlighted the importance of this investment in research and development to keep the company's technology at the forefront of next-generation solutions.
With our proven expertise in integrating complex systems and commercialized autonomous services, we will continue to create lasting change for a sustainable space ecosystem.
The planned “Galaxy Express” to the Moon would not only facilitate the transportation of people and materials to the surface of the Moon, but would also help establish a space economy for the US and its international partners. This transportation system could support a wide range of commercial activities, from scientific research to resource extraction, aiding the development of permanent lunar settlements. And what does China say?
Galaxy Express and the “lunar economy”. A future in which going up there will be routine
Although we are still far from seeing trains whizzing across the surface of the Moon, Northrop Grumman's project represents a concrete step towards the creation of a lunar transportation infrastructure. You said nothing. As the feasibility study progresses over the next 10 years, we may see exciting developments that will bring us ever closer to a future where traveling to the Moon is not only possible, but normal.
One day not too far away, just like Tetsuro, someone will be able to board a lunar “Galaxy Express”. He will sit back and admire the breathtaking sight of the Earth rising on the horizon.
That funny cartoon will be for him what the first locomotives filmed by the Lumière Brothers are for us.
