Lagrange Point Colonization

Lagrange Point Colonization is the colonization of the five equilibrium points in the orbit of a planet or moon its primary, called Lagrange points. The most obvious points for colonization are the points in the Earth-Moon system and the points in the Sun-Earth system. Although it would generally take days or even months to reach with current technology, many of these points would have near-continuous solar power capability since their distance from Earth would result in only brief and infrequent eclipses of light from the Sun.

Earth-Moon

An L₁ station would have a number of important functions due to its stationary position between the Earth and Moon. One, it is in a perfect location to monitor and coordinate communications among various missions on the nearside of the Moon. A vessel launched from L₁ could reach any place on the Moon within a few hours to a day. This would make it ideal for crisis management if an emergency occurred on the Moon. Also, it would serve very much as a way station, especially once built up, and would probably be used to handle tourists and casual visitors to the Moon. A station like this could also serve as a repair center for ships moving throughout the Solar System.

The L₂ point, on the far side of the Moon, is completely shielded from the Earth by the Moon so radio telescopes placed there would receive much less interference than existing telescopes. Of course, since the moon is tide locked, any colony on the far side of the moon has this same benefit.

Both L₁ and L₂ require active stationkeeping since neither is fully stable. Colonies at the L₄ and L₅ positions would have the advantage of being stable without any need for stationkeeping, and could be used as a waypoint for travel to and from cislunar space.

un-Earth

The L₁ position is useful for solar observations since it is near the Earth but in constant sunlight. It could also be useful for collecting solar power. Conversely, the L₂ point is perpetually in the shadow of the Earth, and as such offers a prime location for observing the outer planets or deep space. L₄ and L₅ colonies could be used as waypoints in space travel, to expand the practical launch window for travel to and from the Earth and other planets. These positions are useful for colonies as they are stable without any need for stationkeeping.

References

* [http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Lagrangian+point Dictionary Definition]
* [http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMM17XJD1E_index_0.html European Space Agency]
* [http://www.freemars.org/l5/aboutl5.html Free Mars]
* [http://www.orbitalvector.com/Space%20Structures/Lagrange%20Structures/LAGRANGE%20POINT%20STRUCTURES.htm Orbital Vector]