Military moonbase: Cold War's bold plan that never launched
In the 1950s and 60s, during the peak of the Cold War and the intense space race, the American military developed an ambitious plan to establish a military base on the Moon. The project, named "Horizon," aimed to create a nuclear intelligence station operated by armed soldiers, who would conduct defence operations and gather intelligence from the Moon's surface.
According to a 1959 report by the Army Ballistic Missile Agency, the station was slated to be operational by 1965. Initially, the crew would consist of two soldiers, eventually expanding to twelve. They were to be equipped with specially designed weapons for space operations, including pistols and claymore-like explosive devices, even though the base was primarily intended for intelligence and communication.
A base with weapons on the moon - The ambitious US plan
As reported by Task&Purpose, the Horizon project required the gradual delivery of construction materials and supplies. Starting in 1965, the military planned a series of Saturn I and II rocket launches to transport both personnel and necessary resources to the Moon. Construction was projected to be completed by November 1966, with the facility expected to expand in subsequent years. The main energy source for the station would have been nuclear reactors, and the base was to consist of interconnected modules allowing for further expansion.
Although today this idea seems futuristic, the American military did not hesitate to explore the boldest concepts during the Cold War. It's worth mentioning the "Acoustic Kitty" program, which emerged in the 1960s with the aim of training domestic cats to spy on the Soviet Union.
Despite the advanced plans and military enthusiasm, Project Horizon was ultimately rejected due to financial concerns. The estimated cost of $6 billion was deemed too high. Consequently, President Dwight D. Eisenhower did not approve the continuation of the project, and his successor, John F. Kennedy, although supportive of space program development, also did not revive this initiative. Ultimately, NASA took over the responsibility for space exploration, and Project Horizon became merely a curiosity and an inspiration for conceptual visions of the future.
