MIT Technology Review Narrated: what it would take to build a city on the moon
The US and China are racing to build bases on the moon, with NASA hoping to establish a small lunar city by the end of the century. But the moon is a tremendously hostile place to set up camp.
A sprawling lunar base must be safe for its inhabitants, protected from falling asteroids, endless cosmic radiation, razor-sharp lunar dust, and torturous temperature swings. It also must be somewhat self-sustaining.
That will require autonomous robots, nuclear power, and a way to use the moon’s resources to keep the base operating. But the chief obstacle may be one of political will.
This is our latest story to become an MIT Technology Review Narrated podcast, which we publish each week on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Just navigate to MIT Technology Review Narrated on either platform, and follow us to get all our new content as it’s released.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
1 Hackers have disrupted the US Federal Election Commission’s website
The FEC filing system went offline a week before the midterms. (Reuters $)
+ The attack is hiding spending data during the costliest midterms ever. (Gizmodo)
+ Social media platforms are struggling to contain AI election lies. (Guardian)
+ Software flaws in US voting machines threaten election security. (Axios)
+ A blueprint for using AI to strengthen democracy. (MIT Technology Review)
2 Starlink restrictions have driven US allies to rethink their dependence
Restrictions in Ukraine have spooked officials across Europe. (Bloomberg $)
+ And given European firms a new pitch for their rival services. (Axios)
+ An Israeli spy firm allegedly targeted Starlink users. (Reuters $)
+ Stratospheric internet could take off this year. (MIT Technology Review)