{"id":2144817,"date":"2026-09-14T14:14:54","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T11:14:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2144817"},"modified":"2026-09-14T14:14:54","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T11:14:54","slug":"there-wont-be-any-cities-on-the-moon-any-time-soon-scientists-say","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2144817","title":{"rendered":"There won\u2019t be any cities on the Moon any time soon, scientists say"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/30\/06\/1200x675_cmsv2_e407331a-4c68-50f6-9b7a-738e9554cef1-9913006.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2925488-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2925488\" data-cid=\"9912283\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925488-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" 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src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/22\/83\/189x106_cmsv2_98e73218-b8a1-5356-a928-88af7bebc1f6-9912283.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: Hugo Carvajal attends a meeting at the administrative offices of the National Assembly in Caracas on 20 January 2016.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Former Moroccan spy reportedly offered Spain intelligence information\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925669-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2925669\" data-cid=\"9913241\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925669-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/32\/41\/189x106_cmsv2_f98bec57-de7d-52b3-b620-5f227aeb779b-9913241.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"France and Slovakia demand the removal of Alisher Usmanov from the EU sanctions list.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    France seeks Usmanov delisting to free French nationals in Azerbaijan\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925591-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2925591\" data-cid=\"9912795\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925591-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/27\/95\/189x106_cmsv2_185bbf21-ac42-5295-ae4e-666739373c1b-9912795.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Dr Ant\u00f3nio Agostinho Neto International Airport, near Luanda.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Angola<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Turkish Airlines drops Luanda as Angola&#8217;s new airport struggles\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921213-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2921213\" data-cid=\"9912992\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921213-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/23\/27\/189x106_cmsv2_40a3518e-2015-536f-aa53-f2aebb45d564-9892327.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Image dated 24 January 2025, provided by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, shows a Mexican grey wolf in the wild\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Earth News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Italy and wolves: living with a growing population amid myths and alarmism\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Next<\/p>\n<p>                          Tech News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            There won\u2019t be any cities on the Moon any time soon, scientists say<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/30\/06\/1536x864_cmsv2_e407331a-4c68-50f6-9b7a-738e9554cef1-9913006.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"FILE - Scientists test newly developed spacesuits at the LUNA facility in preparation for missions to the moon at the German Aerospace Center near Cologne. Sept. 3, 2026\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              FILE &#8211; Scientists test newly developed spacesuits at the LUNA facility in preparation for missions to the moon at the German Aerospace Center near Cologne. Sept. 3, 2026<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspJonathan Benton\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1789395294\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-09-14 16:14:54 +02:00\">14\/09\/2026 &#8211; 16:14 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center 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decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Despite recent breakthroughs mapping the lunar surface to analyse the feasibility of building lunar cities, a new study pours cold water on the prospect of permanent colonisation.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content c-article-content--next js-article-content\">\n<p>Science fiction has long given us depictions of humans living on the Moon. In recent years, as technological advances have continued at pace, space entrepreneurs have started making plans for how they could actually do it.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>However, a new study published this week by the Harvard\u2013Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) has provided a reality check, finding that the biggest obstacle facing would-be colonisers are the Moon\u2019s existing ice reserves, which are insufficient to support a lunar city.<\/p>\n<p>The study, titled &#8220;There Are No Cities on the Moon,&#8221; looked at how much power and water a large population would use on the Moon, how long a city of 100,000 or one million people could survive there, and how sustainable maintaining a lunar city would be. <\/p>\n<p>Its findings were published in the international journal Frontiers in Space Technology.<\/p>\n<p>The study comes after several lunar exploration missions and analyses earlier this year that have more accurately mapped the lunar surface, as well as where and how much water is present, prompting renewed speculation over humanity\u2019s capacity to set up shop there.<\/p>\n<p>Scientists have long known about the presence of water deposits on the Moon, with the most recent analyses confirming that the reserves are held in shadowed craters \u2014 deep depressions that never see sunlight.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\" id=\"abe-article-related-1\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">3D printing to colonise Mars after the Moon: the biomaterials tested by scientists<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Another eclipse over Spain on 28 August: where and how to see the Moon almost completely covered<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>With temperatures hovering between minus 163 and minus 246 degrees Celsius, only around a millimetre of ice is lost every billion years.<\/p>\n<p>Martin Elvis, a senior astrophysicist at the CfA who led the study, said that in their research, a \u201ccity\u201d was defined as a settlement with a population of one million people, with average water use per person estimated at 500 tonnes.<\/p>\n<p>Given these figures, a city of this size would run dry in just a few years unless it turned to recycling \u2014 but this would not entirely solve the issue either.<\/p>\n<p>The International Space Station (ISS) currently recycles about 98% of its water. <\/p>\n<p>According to Elvis\u2019s calculations, if one billion tonnes of lunar water were reused with the same efficiency as on the ISS, a lunar city with a population of one million could be sustained for around 100 years.<\/p>\n<p>For a Moon city to last beyond this, its population would likely need to be capped at around 1,000 people. So, less moon city and more moon village.<\/p>\n<p>However, if the Moon city could recycle 99.9% of its water, its one-million-strong population could, in theory, survive stably for about 2,000 years. This could be supported by other water-efficiency measures, such as vertical farming, or alternatively by importing water.<\/p>\n<p>Energy, though, would not be an issue for a lunar city, which could be powered by abundant solar energy. Around the lunar poles are so-called High Illumination Regions, where the Sun never fully sets, instead remaining on the horizon.<\/p>\n<p>The rims of craters in these regions sit higher than the surrounding terrain, making them an ideal location for photovoltaic installations that could harness solar energy constantly.<\/p>\n<p>According to the study, 1 kilometre-tall towers covered with solar panels on crater rims could each generate about 3 gigawatts of power \u2014 enough to power not only residential facilities but industry too.<\/p>\n<p>Not only that, but one of the main raw materials for solar cells, silicon, makes up 20% of the Moon\u2019s surface, meaning manufacturing could be localised to some degree \u2014 something some companies are planning to take advantage of.<\/p>\n<p>Japanese construction firm Shimizu Corporation announced plans earlier this year to install solar panels along the lunar equator to generate 13,000 terawatts of power \u2014 more than the entire electricity consumption of Earth.<\/p>\n<p>The Moon\u2019s thin atmosphere means solar power generation is unaffected by weather, offering the advantage of a consistent energy output.<\/p>\n<p>So, while a lunar city of one million people might not yet be possible, serious colonisation might not be far away.<\/p>\n<p>And even though current exploration technology can only examine up to a few metres below the surface, more significant ice reserves could be found deeper beneath the surface in the future.<\/p>\n<p>Commenting on the study, Martin Elvis said he hoped \u201cthis paper will serve as a catalyst for all stakeholders involved in lunar exploration to seriously discuss the overall sustainability of the Moon, particularly long-term water resource management\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__container\">\n<article id=\"abe-2925516-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2925516\" data-cid=\"9912387\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925516-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/23\/87\/480x270_cmsv2_59df0008-29b1-5985-83a0-85b52bba312a-9912387.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A solar-powered ambulance, known as Stella Juva, is tested on the roads of Narok County, Kenya.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Tech News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Kenya tests solar-powered ambulance for remote communities<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925507-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2925507\" data-cid=\"9912353\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925507-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/23\/53\/480x270_cmsv2_882d3955-50ca-5fcc-a949-3d761a74d598-9912353.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - One of humanoid robots performs at a press conference by GMO, Japanese internet infrastructure company Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in Tokyo. (AP Photo\/Eugene Hoshiko)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Tech News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    AI makers step up calls for a slowdown as fears of a rogue takeover grow<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925410-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2925410\" data-cid=\"9911981\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925410-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/19\/81\/480x270_cmsv2_6292e32a-a69a-560a-b53c-7832c4f3e978-9911981.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a session of the BRICS Plus Outreach format in New Delhi, India, on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026.\" height=\"9\" 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County, Kenya.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Kenya tests solar-powered ambulance for remote communities<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2925538-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925538\" data-cid=\"9912567\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925538-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/25\/67\/320x180_cmsv2_c4138b4e-5132-5360-931e-cd7cf9421d4b-9912567.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Flight Engineer Anne McClain is pictured near one of the International Space Station\u2019s main solar arrays.\" height=\"9\" 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from ISS<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925516-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2925516\" data-cid=\"9912387\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925516-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/23\/87\/480x270_cmsv2_59df0008-29b1-5985-83a0-85b52bba312a-9912387.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A solar-powered ambulance, known as Stella Juva, is tested on the roads of Narok County, Kenya.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Tech News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Kenya tests solar-powered ambulance for remote communities<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925507-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2925507\" data-cid=\"9912353\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925507-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/23\/53\/480x270_cmsv2_882d3955-50ca-5fcc-a949-3d761a74d598-9912353.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - One of humanoid robots performs at a press conference by GMO, Japanese internet infrastructure company Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in Tokyo. (AP Photo\/Eugene Hoshiko)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Tech News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    AI makers step up calls for a slowdown as fears of a rogue takeover grow<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925410-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2925410\" data-cid=\"9911981\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925410-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/19\/81\/480x270_cmsv2_6292e32a-a69a-560a-b53c-7832c4f3e978-9911981.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a session of the BRICS Plus Outreach format in New Delhi, India, on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Tech News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    China&#8217;s Xi Jinping proposes BRICS &#8216;open-source AI zone&#8217;<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925516-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925516\" data-cid=\"9912387\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925516-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/23\/87\/320x180_cmsv2_59df0008-29b1-5985-83a0-85b52bba312a-9912387.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A solar-powered ambulance, known as Stella Juva, is tested on the roads of Narok County, Kenya.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Kenya tests solar-powered ambulance for remote communities<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925538-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925538\" data-cid=\"9912567\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925538-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/25\/67\/320x180_cmsv2_c4138b4e-5132-5360-931e-cd7cf9421d4b-9912567.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Flight Engineer Anne McClain is pictured near one of the International Space Station\u2019s main solar arrays.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Cataract surgery on Mars? Scientists test eye implants in space<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925507-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925507\" data-cid=\"9912353\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925507-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/23\/53\/320x180_cmsv2_882d3955-50ca-5fcc-a949-3d761a74d598-9912353.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - One of humanoid robots performs at a press conference by GMO, Japanese internet infrastructure company Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in Tokyo. (AP Photo\/Eugene Hoshiko)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    AI makers step up calls for a slowdown as fears of a rogue takeover grow<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925410-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925410\" data-cid=\"9911981\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925410-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/19\/81\/320x180_cmsv2_6292e32a-a69a-560a-b53c-7832c4f3e978-9911981.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a session of the BRICS Plus Outreach format in New Delhi, India, on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    China&#8217;s Xi Jinping proposes BRICS &#8216;open-source AI zone&#8217;<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924726-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924726\" data-cid=\"9909070\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2924726-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/90\/90\/70\/320x180_cmsv2_a623f02c-3ccd-5686-8126-45fcf6f4f587-9909070.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"French President Emmanuel Macron clasps arms with French European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet at the International Space Summit, Grand Palais, Paris, 9 September.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    French astronaut: Europe must &#8216;maximise scientific return&#8217; from ISS<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925410-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925410\" data-cid=\"9911981\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    China&#8217;s Xi Jinping proposes BRICS &#8216;open-source AI zone&#8217;<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925507-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925507\" data-cid=\"9912353\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    AI makers step up calls for a slowdown as fears of a rogue takeover grow<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924673-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924673\" data-cid=\"9908808\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Japanese company unveils &#8216;robot ambulance&#8217; for on-site humanoid repairs<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925516-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925516\" data-cid=\"9912387\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Kenya tests solar-powered ambulance for remote communities<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924726-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924726\" data-cid=\"9909070\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    French astronaut: Europe must &#8216;maximise scientific return&#8217; from ISS<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Science fiction has long given us depictions of humans living on the Moon. In recent years, as technological advances have continued at pace, space entrepreneurs have started making plans for how they could actually do it.However, a new study published this week by the Harvard\u2013Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) has provided a reality check, finding that the biggest obstacle facing would-be colonisers are the Moon\u2019s existing ice reserves, which are insufficient to support a lunar city.The study, titled &#8220;There Are No Cities on the Moon,&#8221; looked at how much power and water a large population would use on the Moon, how long a city of 100,000 or one million people could survive there, and how sustainable maintaining a lunar city would be.Its findings were published in the international journal Frontiers in Space Technology.The study comes after several lunar exploration missions and analyses earlier this year that have more accurately mapped the lunar surface, as well as where and how much water is present, prompting renewed speculation over humanity\u2019s capacity to set up shop there.Scientists have long known about the presence of water deposits on the Moon, with the most recent analyses confirming that the reserves are held in shadowed craters \u2014 deep depressions that never see sunlight.With temperatures hovering between minus 163 and minus 246 degrees Celsius, only around a millimetre of ice is lost every billion years.Martin Elvis, a senior astrophysicist at the CfA who led the study, said that in their research, a \u201ccity\u201d was defined as a settlement with a population of one million people, with average water use per person estimated at 500 tonnes.Given these figures, a city of this size would run dry in just a few years unless it turned to recycling \u2014 but this would not entirely solve the issue either.The International Space Station (ISS) currently recycles about 98% of its water.According to Elvis\u2019s calculations, if one billion tonnes of lunar water were reused with the same efficiency as on the ISS, a lunar city with a population of one million could be sustained for around 100 years.For a Moon city to last beyond this, its population would likely need to be capped at around 1,000 people. So, less moon city and more moon village.However, if the Moon city could recycle 99.9% of its water, its one-million-strong population could, in theory, survive stably for about 2,000 years. This could be supported by other water-efficiency measures, such as vertical farming, or alternatively by importing water.Energy, though, would not be an issue for a lunar city, which could be powered by abundant solar energy. Around the lunar poles are so-called High Illumination Regions, where the Sun never fully sets, instead remaining on the horizon.The rims of craters in these regions sit higher than the surrounding terrain, making them an ideal location for photovoltaic installations that could harness solar energy constantly.According to the study, 1 kilometre-tall towers covered with solar panels on crater rims could each generate about 3 gigawatts of power \u2014 enough to power not only residential facilities but industry too.Not only that, but one of the main raw materials for solar cells, silicon, makes up 20% of the Moon\u2019s surface, meaning manufacturing could be localised to some degree \u2014 something some companies are planning to take advantage of.Japanese construction firm Shimizu Corporation announced plans earlier this year to install solar panels along the lunar equator to generate 13,000 terawatts of power \u2014 more than the entire electricity consumption of Earth.The Moon\u2019s thin atmosphere means solar power generation is unaffected by weather, offering the advantage of a consistent energy output.So, while a lunar city of one million people might not yet be possible, serious colonisation might not be far away.And even though current exploration technology can only examine up to a few metres below the surface, more significant ice reserves could be found deeper beneath the surface in the future.Commenting on the study, Martin Elvis said he hoped \u201cthis paper will serve as a catalyst for all stakeholders involved in lunar exploration to seriously discuss the overall sustainability of the Moon, particularly long-term water resource management\u201d.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/next\/2026\/09\/14\/there-wont-be-any-cities-on-the-moon-any-time-soon-scientists-say&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/30\/06\/1200x675_cmsv2_e407331a-4c68-50f6-9b7a-738e9554cef1-9913006.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Former Moroccan spy reportedly offered Spain intelligence information Europe News France seeks Usmanov delisting to free French nationals in Azerbaijan Angola Turkish Airlines drops Luanda as Angola&#8217;s new airport struggles Earth News Italy and wolves: living with a growing population amid myths and alarmism Europe News Former Moroccan spy reportedly [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2144817","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2144817","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2144817"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2144817\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2144817"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2144817"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2144817"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}