Space 1999...er 2019

The show is only off by a little bit. Looks like several private companies are looking to settle on the moon with permanent dwellings in the near future. Areospace Bigelow manufactures expandable "habitat modules" for use in space and on the moon (and presumably other bodies as well such as Titan or Europa). NASA tapped Bigelow to sound out other companies interesting in landing on the moon. Such a move would allow NASA to focus on deep space exploration and allow the private sector to manage the lunar side of things.

Bigelow found over 20 companies interested in the endeavor and the idea of a permanent colony on the moon has become a very real possibility.

It can't happen fast enough. Read more SPACE.com