PROJECT HORIZON
A
SECRET BASE
ON THE
MOON
By
Søren Nielsen
2019

A top secret document published by Wikileaks clearly implies that the United States had a "secret" base on the Moon, that was destroyed by Russia.

The document gives more credibility and credence that the Moon is populated.

The Moon is humanity’s nearest companion in our travels in space and the only celestial body that we have had the chance to actually visit. Still, despite its relative closeness and familiarity, our satellite continues to hold many interesting secrets.

The idea that something strange may be happening on the Moon is not far fetched at all. In fact, given all of the information that’s now available within the public domain on the subject, it’s hard to see how it’s not a fact.

We can only make speculations, of the actual moon base, however, more than 50 years ago, before man had ever stepped foot on the moon, the U.S. government hatched a plan whose ambitions were exceeded only by its total unfeasibility (or was it?): A secret, self-sustaining, Soviet-shaming military moon base.

The delightfully extensive 1960 study, dubbed "Project Horizon", was released by The National Security Archive.

While it reads more like an alternative history than concrete science that was acted upon, it’s still incredible to see just how far Cold War-induced mania could push the US Army. 

In the lengthy justification for the project, one point in particular keeps coming up:

"TO BE SECOND TO THE SOVIET UNION IN ESTABLISHING AN OUTPOST ON THE MOON WOULD BE DISASTROUS TO OUR NATION’S PRESTIGE AND IN TURN TO OUR DEMOCRATIC PHILOSOPHY".

Soldiers, Spies and the Moon: Secret U.S. and Soviet Plans from the 1950s and 1960s

So to save face and get a better view of its potential target in the process, the United States was determined to set up a permanent residence on the moon.

Project Horizon

Researchers knew it wouldn’t be easy, of course, but that’s why they planned out every last detail with the intent to start immediately:

"THE PROGRAM TO ESTABLISH A LUNAR BASE MUST NOT BE DELAYED AND THE INITIAL BASE DESIGN MUST MEET MILITARY REQUIREMENTS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE BASE SHOULD BE DESIGNED AS A PERMANENT INSTALLATION, IT SHOULD BE UNDERGROUND, IT SHOULD STRIVE TO BE COMPLETELY SELF-SUPPORTING, AND IT SHOULD PROVIDE SUITABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO SUPPORT EXTENDED TOURS OF DUTY".

Soldiers, Spies and the Moon: Secret U.S. and Soviet Plans from the 1950s and 1960s

Here are the basics of what it takes to make it on the moon:

Building the Base.

The plan was to initially send a couple of astronauts to scope out the land and settle in. Once reinforcements arrived, construction could start ASAP.

Since "electric power would be provided soon after arrival," the first few space pioneers would be outfitted with a state-of-the-art space tractor—one that would cover pretty much anything you might need for your secret military moon base-building needs. Such as:

• Moving of lunar material
• Excavation of sub- surface trenches
• Heavy cargo handling
• Prime mover functions
• And other mechanical work which man alone in a lunar suit cannot perform

Lunar Construction Vehicle from Project HORIZON

While this all sounds a bit preposterous even by today’s standards, the scientists conducting the study knew they weren’t quite technologically capable yet—but they did believe it was just a matter of time.

"…THE STUDY CONCLUDED THAT BASED ON PRESENT KNOWLEDGE IT IS TECHNICALLY FEASIBLE TO ESTABLISH A MANNED BASE ON THE MOON". 

SUMMARY AND SUPPORTING CONSIDERATIONS, Volume I ·

Horizon Project Plan

Vehicle Requirements and Launching Schedule

Daily Life.

The goal was to have 12 men living and working on the moon by 1965, just five years after the study was first published. 

In addition to planning out the more mechanical logistics, they also had to take the more basic realities of moon life into consideration. Providing food and water alone would be a feat.

As far as rations go, each moon man would be allotted three quarts of water per day, which adds up pretty quickly. 

So to stay as sustainable as possible, any extra bits of moisture in the atmosphere would be "condensed, collected, and used for washing, thus removing the need for an additional quantity. " 

Plus, any extra water from urine and "washing wastes" could be distilled out. 

Which, if that twice-used water was deemed potable, the "three quarts per man per day could be reduced or eliminated."

And in addition to the typical dehydrated astronaut fare, researchers recognized that fresh salads do have "morale values".

"VEGETABLES FOR SALAD MAY BE PROVIDED BY HYDROPONIC CULTURE, USING WASTES AS NUTRIENTS, AT LEAST IN PART, AND CONVERTING CO2 INTO O2 IN THE PROCESS, A8 WITH ALGAE".

"ULTIMATELY, PLANT WASTES AND ALGAE CAN BE USED TO FEED POULTRY, WHICH THRIVE IN CONFINEMENT AND ARE, RELATIVELY EFFICIENT ENERGY CONVERTERS, PRODUCING FRESH EGGS AND MEAT. MEANWHILE, ATTENTION WILL BE GIVEN TO THE USE OF FISH AND OTHER AQUATIC ANIMALS, SUCH AS DAPHNIA AND MOLLUSKS, WHICH NORMALLY FEED ON ALGAE".

SUMMARY AND SUPPORTING CONSIDERATIONS, Volume I ·

View of Flight Simulator

a combined high-G and zero-G sled running down the side of a cliff!

Project Horizon

The United States Army had every intention of putting real, live animals on the moon to be our friends and our food.

Even with all the proper precautions, though, moon life would be incredibly taxing, both physically and mentally. 

So should your physical and/or mental state succumb to the pressure, a solitary confinement moon chamber would be waiting for you. Included in the medical facilities would be:

"ISOLATION. IT WOULD BE VERY DESIRABLE TO HAVE AN AREA FOR COMPLETE ISOLATION OF PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS AND/OR COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CASES. SPECIFICALLY, THIS AREA WILL BE INCORPORATED IN THE COMPARTMENT UTILIZED FOR THE SURGICAL FACILITY AND WILL PROVIDE FOR DISPOSAL OF EXCRETA, RECUMBENCY OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND FOR MAXIMUM SECURITY".

"IN THIS LATTER INSTANCE, PROVISIONS WILL BE MADE FOR A DOOR WITH EXTERIOR LOCKING DEVICE, AND A WINDOW WHICH WILL AUTOMATICALLY CLOSE IF THE PRESSURE IN THE ISOLATION CHAMBER SUDDENLY DECREASES".

SUMMARY AND SUPPORTING CONSIDERATIONS, Volume II ·

(I have all the document of "Project Horizen")

The volume II document of "Project Horizen" is 298 pages of Technical Considerations and Plans from the United Startes Army.

Here is the table of contents of the document.

Chapter I: Introduction

Chapter II: Outpost

Chapter III: Space Transportation System

Chapter IV: Communications Electronics

Chapter V: Launch Site. (Christmas Island = Kiribati Island)

Chapter VI: Program Logistigs

Chapter VII: Research and Development

Chapter VIII: Program Cost and Schedule.