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Moon colony 'within 20 years
According to Bernard Foing of the European Space Agency, the technology will soon exist to set up an outpost for visiting astronauts.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3161695.stm
Moon colony 'within 20 years
According to Bernard Foing of the European Space Agency, the technology will soon exist to set up an outpost for visiting astronauts.
Clarification: "Just because it would be cool" WAS sufficient reason in 1969. It just isn't anymore. Now there has to be a need (and rightly so).Originally posted by Integral
Just because it would be cool is not sufficient reason. There must be a real need for it before it will happen.
Something often overlooked: At $10,000 per pound to launch or recover an object from low Earth orbit, even if there were ample gold ready to be plucked from orbit, it would still cost twice as much to bring it back to Earth as it is worth (gold today costs roughly $5,000 per pound). It costs roughly double that for something in geostationary orbit and double again to get something in orbit of the moon. Quadruple that to recover something from the surface of the moon. Mars... my guess would be at least an order of magnitude more.However, more important than that, there are enough resources in the astroid belt between Mars and Jupiter to provide every individual human being on this Earth with 22 billion dollars.
As soon as I make my first billion, I'll give you a call.Perhaps a private party will want to do it - any takers?
Originally posted by Dejango
Actually, there is a very large amount of wealth to be found in close space, and a very good reason to colonize both Mars and the Moon. For example, the Moon itself contains a very rare element found on earth-Helium 3, which could be used in a multitude of ways, such as rocket fuel.
Originally posted by russ_watters
Clarification: "Just because it would be cool" WAS sufficient reason in 1969. It just isn't anymore. Now there has to be a need (and rightly so).
Thats what I meant - it was us saying to the USSR: we're cool and you're not. And to the rest of the world: hey, look how cool we are!Originally posted by Artman
I think there were other issues at stake in 1969. The space race, and the race for the moon in particular, was both a pissing match between the super powers of USSR and USA and a means of bringing the world together.
Originally posted by kishtik
As I read in a magazine there are serious reasons to send human to moon for living or for a long time.
First of all telescopes, as you may know our atmosphere causes them work rather ieffeciently. They tried to solving this by satellite telescopes like Hubble but maintaning satellites isn't cheap. I have read that Hubble (although having a smaller mirror radius) was sending breathtaking photos (with a greater performance than the Keck twins).
Think we build a telescope like Kecks on the moon!
Secondly, we can build larger radio-telescopes there because of smaller weights.
And of course that rocket issue. It's easier to launch from there.
Best Wishes.
Advancements in technology and space exploration have made it possible for humans to establish a permanent presence on the Moon. NASA and other space agencies have been investing in developing the necessary resources and infrastructure for this ambitious goal.
Living on the Moon could provide valuable research opportunities for understanding the lunar environment and its potential for space exploration. It could also serve as a stepping stone for further space exploration missions to other planets.
NASA and other space agencies have been conducting extensive research and testing to ensure that humans can survive on the Moon for prolonged periods. This includes developing sustainable habitats, growing food, and creating technologies for extracting resources from the lunar surface.
There are many challenges that need to be overcome before humans can live on the Moon. These include developing advanced technologies for transportation, protection against radiation and extreme temperatures, and creating a self-sufficient ecosystem on the lunar surface.
Establishing a human presence on the Moon could open up new possibilities for space exploration and could potentially lead to further advancements in technology. It could also inspire future generations to pursue careers in science and engineering and continue pushing the boundaries of space exploration.