Moon's far side targeted for radio astronomy to escape Earth's interference

Scientists are proposing new lunar missions to utilize the far side of the Moon as a shield against Earth's increasing radio interference. Because Earth is saturated with signals from satellites, telecommunications, and radar, the Moon's far side offers a unique 'quiet zone' for deep-space observation.

One proposed project involves the CosmoCube, a small satellite roughly the size of a handheld suitcase. The satellite would orbit the Moon, using the lunar mass to physically block Earth's radio noise for approximately 40 minutes during every two-hour orbit. This would allow researchers to listen for the 21 cm neutral hydrogen line, a fundamental signal from the early universe dating back over 13.5 billion years.

Additionally, researchers including David DeBoer from the University of Oxford are advocating for the Lunar Farside Transients and Technology Telescope (LFT3). This $150 million project aims to deploy a specialized antenna by the end of the decade under NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services. The urgency stems from the fact that by 2030, an increasing number of lunar orbiters and landers are expected to introduce radio noise to the lunar farside, potentially compromising its scientific value.