Moonchester United! The moon could host its first competitive FOOTBALL match by 2035, scientists claim – but a game will look very different than here on Earth

By William On Jul 19, 2023

It’s the world’s most popular sport – but could football soon expand its reach to another planetary body?

That’s exactly what scientists think.

They believe the game could be played on the moon as early as 2035, even though it may look very different from a game here on Earth.

Experts from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) have ripped up the rules of the game and unveiled a wild plan for what football on the lunar surface could look like – with 90-minute matches and traditional kits a thing of the past.

Their vision encompasses five-on-five games played in four 10-minute quarters, with 20-minute breaks between each to allow players to rest.

The IET thinks that football matches can take place on the moon in 15 years

WHAT WOULD LUNAR FOOTBALL LOOK LIKE?

THE GAME

– Five-a-side game and one hologram referee to provide space and avoid collisions

– Four 10-minute quarters at 20-minute intervals to refuel and repair equipment

– Red and yellow cards virtually displayed in players’ crosshairs

THE PLACE

– Laser sintering can turn the lunar soil into a flat surface that almost looks like concrete

– Borders can be marked using black and white polymer

– Nets, closed sides and a roof must also be intact due to the lack of gravity

THE BALL

– Nearly twice the size of a terrestrial soccer ball which is strictly black and white to contrast with the lunar soil

– Spongey Next-Gen Airgel core to give the ball compressibility so it can bounce without containing air

THE EQUIPMENT

– Trimmed down version of spacesuits from the Apollo mission

These are said to have more flexibility and built-in padding around the knees and elbows

– Cooling and heating systems would also be needed to adapt to the lunar climate

The scientists said shorts and studded boots should also be replaced with hefty Apollo-style spacesuits, with futuristic cooling features on the inside.

Not only that, but referees would be more like the technological nature of VAR than traditional humans.

That’s because hologram referees patrolled the fields as part of the vision, handing out virtual red and yellow flags that could be displayed on a crosshairs.

“Scientists and engineers play a vital role in advancing the world around us and shaping the future, and this extends to advancing space exploration, which in the future will require the ingenuity of as many young people as possible with the right skills will be needed,” said futurist Brian David Johnson.

“With the upcoming lunar mission in 2025 to take lunar colonization one step closer, it’s only a matter of time before we start thinking about how we design aspects of our lives today, such as hobbies and sports, for the moon in the future. ‘

The experts believe lunar matches should be cut short by more than half the time so players can prioritize their safety amid an unfamiliar lunar environment.

At twenty-minute intervals, teams would be able to refuel, recover, and even repair equipment that is paramount to not only thriving in the game, but surviving on the lunar surface.

This could include an oxygen tank, communication system and temperature adjustment instruments all built into the suit.

Suits would be slimmed down versions of those worn by Apollo astronauts, with added flexibility for easier movement on the field.

Scientists have even considered sweat-limiting measures — suggesting washcloths should be kept in the suits to absorb droplets.

In the view of the IET, all matches would take place at noon to maximize visibility and avoid huge shadows on the pitch.

The pitch itself should be eight times smaller than normal, using laser sintering to convert lunar soil into a concrete-like surface.

Boundaries could then be marked with black and white polymer, while nets, closed sides and a roof would have to be erected to keep the ball from drifting into oblivion.

According to the IET, red and yellow cards could be seen on a hologram referee’s visor

The field itself is eight times smaller than normal, using laser sintering to transform lunar soil into a concrete-like surface. Meanwhile, balls will be nearly twice their size for visibility

Unlike on Earth, the balls used would not be pumped with air because the moon’s pressure difference would almost certainly pop them.

Instead, experts suggest they’ll have a spongy Next-Gen Airgel core for a familiar bounce and nearly twice the size for visibility.

Amid these predictions, the IET is now calling on children in the UK aged four to 13 to design the first official Moon United football kit before 2035.

Ama Frimpong, IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year and one of the competition judges, said: ‘Getting young people to think about how engineering and technology can be part of the things they love is really important, and doing this from a young age is essential to highlight the available opportunities and fuel career ambitions in these sectors.

“We hope our competition really allows kids to show off their creativity and have fun designing a futuristic new kit fit for Moon United, demonstrating that engineering and technical careers are truly out of this world. ‘

WHAT IS GRAVITY?

Gravity is one of the fundamental forces of the universe.

Scientists understand that there are four fundamental forces that act on all things in the universe.

Gravity – Weakest force but has infinite range.
Weak Nuclear Force – Next weakest but short range
Electromagnetic Force – Stronger and with infinite range.
Strong Nuclear Force – The strongest of the forces, but at close range

The natural phenomenon is an attraction that acts on all things, but has a stronger pull on larger objects.

The force is so weak that it would take huge celestial bodies to have a meaningful impact.

For example, the gravitational pull on Earth is just enough to keep people on the ground.

While it’s clear how it works, the workings of how it worked is a mystery.

Scientists have long speculated about the existence of a fundamental particle called “graviton” responsible for the force.

Despite its theoretical logic, the particle has yet to be discovered.

On Earth, gravity is measured at 9.8 m/s^2.

For reference, the force on Jupiter is 24.8 m/s^2 and on the Moon is 1.6 m/s^2.

That means a 10-stone (140-pound) human on Earth would weigh only 22 pounds on the moon, but would weigh 331 pounds on Jupiter.