The Concept of a Moon Base

The idea of establishing a permanent human presence on the moon has historical roots dating back to the late 1950s when the U.S. government began seriously considering the strategic benefits of a lunar base. The potential lunar outpost was envisioned not just as a scientific exploration hub but also as a military stronghold to secure U.S. interests in space. Plans included military operations that could enable surveillance of Earth and space, which highlighted the increasing militarization of space during the Cold War. This concept, particularly encapsulated in Project Horizon, illustrated the intersection of scientific ambition and national defense strategies that defined the space race era.