THE LUNAR GAMES
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DISCUSSION
In the 21st century, the Moon will likely become one more
place where people live, learn, work, and play. As envisioned here, The
Lunar Games could well reflect today’s athletic contests, but with only
one-sixth the gravity of Earth, holders of "world
records" would have to specify which world they mean! There would be “Moon records” in that
case.
As a writing
exercise, select one of the proposed games featured above and below. Perhaps that selection will be a game you are
familiar with on Earth. In fact, you may
have participated in it. In a one page
paragraph, propose how to practice/train on Earth prior to participating in
that contest on the
Moon. Would your training
be different on Earth than on the Moon?
Alternatively, how might you best train on the Moon to participate in an
Earth-based contest. Use the additional
information given beneath the listing of games to assist in composing the
paragraph.
Imagine lunar pole vaulting records (see above picture)
over 120 feet (37 meters), long jumps of 180 feet (55 meters), and
weightlifting records of masses equivalent to 2,500 pounds (1,136 kg) on Earth.
New events, such as human flight depicted above, could very
well be possible with the Moon’s reduced gravity, allowing athletes to propel
themselves on a course within the pressurized dome of the stadium. Also,
imagine the acrobatics when gymnasts remain "airborne" six times as
long as they do now!
The stadium containing these events has a clear roof
manufactured from lunar materials. The roof would keep out radiation while
allowing an unobstructed view of the lunar landscape, quite a development
challenge for future scientists and engineers.
Suspended from the top of the stadium, a holographic
display shows highlights from the basketball game in the adjacent facility.
Flags of participating countries line the stadium, and commercial
advertisements cover the walls along the track. The event is broadcast to
viewers on Earth through the large antennas outside.
Although many of the games’ attendees will be lunar
inhabitants, spectators (and sports reporters!) will also travel from Earth.
The terrain visitors arrive on lunar shuttles (visible in the distance) and,
after being transported to the terminal at the end of the stadium, can use
underground shuttle tubes to reach subsurface hotels for check-in before
attending the events.
Additional Information
In the future, as people start to inhabit other worlds,
there will be several physical and social changes and problems to consider.
Humans are very much accustomed to the Earth’s environment as we know it.
Scientists have not yet found another planetary body that, in its current
state, will sustain human life. As you look at the stadium, what steps have
been taken to ensure life support for the humans? From what environmental
hazards would humans have to project themselves?
How have humans adapted to inhospitable environments on the
Earth? Compare and contrast measures humans will have to take to protect
themselves on the Moon or on other bodies in our Solar System with what has
been done here on Earth at the polar regions, in the
deserts, and under the sea.
What would be the capability of athletes who actually grew
up on the Moon? Without the life-long need to work against the greater pull of
Earth’s gravity, how would muscles develop? Would an athlete who grew up on the
Moon perform as well as an athlete who grew up on Earth? Perhaps, there would
have to be different classes of competition, depending on how long you’ve lived
on the Moon!