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| Should We Return To The Moon? |
Listening to the latest and greatest on a return trip to the moon, you would think you were reading an executive summary of an important business plan.
A return trip to the moon actually makes a lot of sense. A lot has happened since the six manned U.S. Apollo landings between 1969 and 1972.
New and innovative technologies will be able to utilize lunar resources to supply and replenish oxygen (found in the lunar soil), volatile gasses, fuel, water, and construction materials. We won’t have to haul all off this to the moon and worry about replenishing supplies vital to sustain life.
• The moon could hold secrets regarding our world.
• Lower gravity means it’s easier to launch ships to other planets and moons.
• Telescopes would have a better view to see deep into our universe as there is no atmosphere to interfere with observations.
• And the moon holds vital resources. We know there is water on the moon in the form of ice. And the hydrogen and oxygen atoms could be used as rocket fuel.
At least seven major potential lunar construction materials have been identified. These include:
• concrete
• sulfur concrete
• cast basalt
• sintered basalt
• fiberglass
• cast glass
• metals
Sure, more leaps need to be taken, such as producing a steady flow of food. Maybe Quisp and Tang grows there in abundance. But for now, it’s easy to see how making return trips to the moon makes a lot of sense.
The U.S. does not have concrete plans to return to the moon any time soon. China plans to land an unmanned exploratory rover on the moon by the end of this year.
The Question Is: will private industry beat governments to the punch?
Do you have time for one more? Check out my article on Virgin Galactic, headed up by Sir Richard Branson.
14 comments:
It's been a long time since I've seen Tang.
I was so disappointed when the US scrapped our adventures to the moon. I feel like so much more can and needs to be learned from space exploration.
Elsie
AJ's wHooligan in the A-Z Challenge
This is always tough for me.
I understand the need to explore.
I understand all the technology that is developed for everyday use in pursuit of that exploration.
But.
The money used for that exploration is money that might help some people who are struggling right now.
No easy answer.
I loved Tang. :)
Great post, Stephen.
HMG
I am one of the few who think we should stop littering space with debris from various and sundry launches. I see no point in returning to the moon at all. Been there, done that. Why waste the money? If people like Richard Branson want to fund their own projects, fine, but the country is sinking in debt and we keep throwing money at NASA. That's probably why 'Deception Point' is one of my fave books by Dan Brown. It's kinda anti-NASA too.
I think private industry should take over a lot of our space explorations, including going to the moon. Our government has enough problems right now and isn't exactly efficient at anything, sad to say. Let the entrepreneurs compete or team together or whatever, but I don't think this is a job for NASA. Not saying we shouldn't have NASA, nor that we shouldn't fund it, but we need to fix this debt mess. And now.
Tina @ Life is Good
A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014
That's an EXCELLENT book. I couldn't put it down. It needs to be made into a movie! I can cast it for them if they'd like ;-)
Tina @ Life is Good
A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014
Co-hosting the IWSG
Yes, I do think private industry will be first.
And looking back, Tang was really awful, wasn't it?
Until we can get to the moon in a simple matter of fact way like catching a plane to go on holiday, we will never get anywhere else beyond.
I am for returning to the moon but completely against mining it. All we need to do is disrupt its orbit, and it's all over. Save the mining for the asteroid belt.
I too agree with returning to the moon but Andrew has a point. As a jumping off point it would be good though. Certainly a lunar base ought to be worthwhile.
Private industry will if they enough profit to make a move on the moon. I think returning to the moon is a great idea, so much to explore.
The US space programme was a military project from the start according to its biggest supporter, Lyndon Johnston . The moon landing was a massive gift to military contractors. It looks like they have found more efficient ways of doing things.
Great post and glad to have found you Stephen - a few days ago you were not to be found.
Elon Musk is a South African by birth! As is Shuttleworth et al ..
Did anyone ever read 'Space' by James Michener? I read it only recently and it was so great ..
I'll check your other posts later; one of my A-Z posts is on the Moon.
Apologies in advance if you have to jump a hoop IF you want to see my blog - am trying very hard to rectify it.
I would happily volunteer to go and check out the moon! Any takers willing to offer me a free ride? :D
Hi Stephen - interesting thoughts here and in the comments ... I'm ambivalent - I think we need to keep exploring .. it's man's nature ... but I wonder about the bad guys ...
Not easy ... and at the moment with world poverty and the wars .. we really need to calm man down and treasure himself ... and help others ... Hilary
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