Lunar Drilling

Good job by Jon Goff to recognize that Lunar outgassing events suggest viable gas deposits that may be able to be accessed to benefit exploration and settlement of the Moon. They also play into my Old West theme for the Moon. Before the outgassing was noticed, I commissioned some artists to draw a picture of an old-fashioned oil derrick on the Moon. Alas, the art is not ready. I did mention here that rock bursts on Earth that plague mines that drill deep indicate to me that the pressure of the rock on the Moon could also cause gas to be trapped there that could be tapped.

Also see David Powell’s article on Space.com entitled (by his anonymous editor hopefully) “Lunar Flash Mystery Solved: Moon Just Passing Gas”.

If lunar outgassing is a source of CO, CO2 or H2O, this could prove useful to future lunar colonies, supplying drinking water and fuel for example and saving billions of dollars in transportation costs.

I think the glib title created a laugh test for any future exploitation of the gas.