(Lunar science takes off at NASA)

TalkBack 4 of 5:

Next »

« Previous

• Thread View
• Flat View

Making Space Pay

Look, all this lunar exploration stuff is well and good, but the people supporting it have one giant unexamined supposition: That we have a reason to establish a permanent manned presence on the moon.

Mining? Dr. Zinj has already admitted we have no technique to extract useful ores, nor to transport them anywhere useful if we did. All his other reasons for a moon base are better applied to Earth-orbital structures.

We've made space pay with weather satellites, Earth observation and communications. We need to extend those successes and we need to extend our knowledge of how to live in space long-term.

We also need energy. I say that our efforts are better spent developing solar power satellites that can provide electric power to Earth. With the money the sale of such power can provide, plus the infrastructure developed to sustain such satellites, we can figure out where next to go and, more importantly, what we will do when we get there.

Right now, we have no more reason to go to the moon again than we have of flying the Atlantic solo in a single-engined plane. Lindbergh did it already. Then his grandson. Time to develop a better vision of exploiting space. One that makes sense.

Posted by: progan01@...   Posted on: 06/15/09 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

Alert moderator to an offensive message

Subscribe to this discussion via Email or RSS

SponsoredWhite Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

• Three Steps You Need to Know to Stop Data Loss Varonis Sensitive data exposed to misuse or loss... it is the stuff of nightmares ... Download Now
• Building the Virtualized Enterprise with VMware Iinfrastructure VMware VMware virtualization software has been adopted by over 120,000 enterprise ... Download Now
• Wireless Lab Delivers Technology and a Better Education Dell Steve Spangler, assistant principal of Middlesboro Middle School in ... Download Now