Water on the Moon

Lunar colonization would be easier with ample water.

While it has been known that trace amounts of H2O is on our satellite, not enough is present to sustain a human colony (as far as we know). But one can imagine how the world would be different if enough water had been discovered. The day to day lives we live would most definitely be greatly affected by such a circumstance. Our infinitesimally small existence in the universe, or even our own solar system for that matter, would be vastly different had that simple compound been present when man first stepped foot on the moon over 40 years ago.
On 20 July, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the subject of one of the most important events in human history. By stepping foot on the moon, he established that humanity was no longer bound to the confines of our home planet. At that moment, fiction became reality, and anything was possible for millions around the world. After spending 21 hours on the moon, the crew of Apollo 11 brought back with them 47lbs of moon rocks, which were analyzed and determined to have only trace evidence of water.

But this isn’t that story. This is the story of a moon with plentiful surface water, enough to support a colony of humans on the lunar surface. In this world, November 2011 would be a much different experience. With plenty of water having been discovered on the moon way back in 1969, the course of mankind in space was irrevocably changed.
Man continued sending exploratory missions, eventually landing a continuously inhabited science lab on the surface by 1980. From this lab, low gravity experiments were greatly increased the speed at which we increased our knowledge of living in space. The new demand to send people to the moon forced governments and businesses to increase their support of developing new technologies, especially those being developed on the moon.

By 1990, permanent residents of the moon became a growing trend. With enough water to support hydroponics, Lunarians were able to sustain themselves in bio dome-like residences, completely self-sufficient from Earth’s assistance. With the expansion of humanity to Mars in mind, a support base was built to act as a supply hub in sending the first human to the red planet. By this time, trade and tourism with the moon meant travelling to space was increasingly efficient, as entrepreneurs and governments developed new ships and technologies to do so. Miniaturization of electronics was developed more rapidly to increase efficiency, and nano-computing becomes the focus of computer development in the late 1990s.
In 2000, humans on Mars became a reality, with the first being sent to colonize the planet. Development of the mineral resources of the planet fueled the drive to establish more settlements on the planet, and an interplanetary “gold rush” was begun.

By 2010, the trip to Mars became easier, as settlements on Mars began to support the trips to and from Earth. On Earth, Mars and the moon create new-found wealth for businesses and entrepreneurs. Individuals world-wide see the moon and Mars as lands of opportunity. In a sense, they are the “New World” of the 21st century.

So today, in 2011, we could be living on the moon or even Mars. We could be working to extract ore from the iron-reddened dirt of Mars, or running cargoes between planets, or developing new farming techniques that would suit the Martian experience. At the very least, our education would have probably been better, as emphasis on science and mathematics would have increased to meet the demand for capable people in colonizing the celestial bodies. All this would have been if for the simple need of surface water on the moon.

"With plenty of water having been discovered on the moon way back in 1969, the course of mankind in space was irrevocably changed."