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NASA’s Next Horizon in Space
- rbanffy 11y agoThe Moon is nearby (which means if something goes wrong we can actually send a rescue mission rather than recording farewell messages), has a low gravity that makes launching stuff easy, no atmosphere (may be useful for metallurgy), abundant solar energy and probably some ice. It is a great stepping stone for the rest of the solar system. It is true it's harder to reach than Mars (because you can't do atmospheric braking) but it's a much shorter trip.
- kjs3 11y agoThe idea we wouldn't build a logistics infrastructure and testing environment on the moon for any longer range venture is insane. Lack of aerobraking at the moon is more than offset by the fact that you don't have to accelerate to ludicrous speed to reach Mars in a reasonable amount of time; it's a softball pitch, energy wise. Landing people on the moon is "been there, done that"; on Mars it's all theory and speculation.
- detritus 11y agoWhilst I completely agree with you — is the prospect of the 'colonisation' of the Moon not a politically-sensitive consideration here? It's a foothold on all our doorsteps. We're perhaps soon to arrive at a point in history where the expansion of our horizons might become a political and confrontational tangibility. At least Mars remains symbolic. Might development on the Moon be viewed as expansionist?
- rbanffy 11y agoThere are, IIRC, treaties regarding lunar occupation that, again IIRC, China never signed. It will be an interesting race.