When humans return to Earth's Moon, they will probably first live for short periods of time in lunar outposts. Eventually, they will establish lunar bases where they can live for longer periods—months or even years. These bases may result from the growth of lunar outposts, or they may be designed as lunar bases from the outset.

Any successful lunar base must accomplish a few goals. First, it must protect and satisfy the needs of those who live there. Second, it must enable the inhabitants to get some useful work done. Finally, it must minimize the cost of operating it. Sending anything from Earth to the Moon is very expensive, so a high priority for any lunar base will be to minimize the need for resupply from Earth.

An ideal place to meet all these goals might be the Aristarchus Plateau. Located at about 25° north latitude...