Today, space walks and landings on the moon are routine tasks performed by astronauts who spend months enclosed in their space capsules. The moon seems to have lost its mystery, and poets bemoan that scientific jargon is replacing sonnets which spoke so beautifully of the moon. Still, mankind has been collectively mooning over the moon since the latter half of this century.

Imagine a weekend stay on a hotel on the moon, or a new year celebration in a biosphere on its surface. These unearthly scenes seem right out of a science fiction movie or comic book. They could however become reality soon enough! A proposal for a hotel - the Moon Hilton, has already been made, and plans are afoot for cheaper civilian travel. It might be possible to travel to the moon in our lifetimes. A lucky few have already been able to see the timeless beauty of the slowly shifting earth, with its blue oceans and continents that light up in succession as the earth rotates on its axis. Electricity has enabled man to change the face of the earth. Soon it will enable man to change the face of the moon too.

Plans for an international space station above the earth are are already being followed and no one questions the importance of future space exploration. The moon is our closest neighbour and a permanent space station on its surface might lead to an exploration of the stars. It will also be a cheaper alternative for satellite launches as the moon's gravity is one sixth that of the earth's and lesser fuel would be required to propel the rocket upwards.

By the middle of the next century, a permanent human presence on the moon will start making its presence felt. Initially comprising of scientists and researchers, the human population will begin to make a mark only when a strong civilian population is encouraged. The future of such a moon community might chart course for the exploration of other planets, stars and satellites alike. Then reaching the stars from the moon might not be such a distant dream after all!