International lunar base and lunar-based power system to supply Earth with electric power

The people of Earth will need more than 20,000 billion watts (GWe) of electric power by 2050 for a high level of prosperity. Power needs in the 22nd Century could exceed 100,000 GWe. The Lunar Power System (LPS) can provide solar electric power to Earth at less cost than conventional terrestrial systems and with far less environmental impact. A manned International Lunar Base (ILB) can accelerate development of LPS by: • • providing the initial transportation and habitation facilities that will greatly reduce up front costs and risks; • • demonstrating the emplacement over a 5–10 year period of a moderate scale LPS (1–100 GWe); • • enabling early exploration of alternative LPS designs, emplacement methods, maintenance, and in situ manufacturing of implementation equipment. LPS can support the establishment of an ILB by: • • substantially increasing the net wealth of the world and enabling general prosperity; • • providing wider support and greater funding of operations beyond Earth than for purely scientific research; • • accelerating the development of resources in cis-lunar space and on the moon. An international LPS program can foster world trust that lunar resources are being developed for the greatest good of mankind. The costs of SPS and LPS are compared. The organization of an international program for LPS is outlined.