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I really don't understand why SpaceX doesn't do the Moon. A Moon base relay is FAR more meaningful to our established presence in space, and a fallback location

I really don't understand why SpaceX doesn't do the Moon. A Moon base relay is FAR more meaningful to our established presence in space, and a fallback location for global conflict.

bbcbasic 10y ago
> and a fallback location for global conflict. Or something else to fight over
- Exras 10y ago
  I'm reminded of the ending in Iron Sky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uimh2EBB1yQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uimh2EBB1yQ
deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
robzyb 10y ago
SpaceX's care about "our established presence in space" is secondary to their care of revenue and profit.
- mwfunk 10y ago
  That's hardly surprising given that they wouldn't exist without the possibility of revenue. I'm not sure why you think this should be disturbing to anyone though.
readams 10y ago
You can buy space on a Falcon 9 today and go to the moon. It's just that nobody wants to since there's nothing there. But some of the Lunar X-Prize participants plan to use a Falcon 9.
JumpCrisscross 10y ago
> I really don't understand why SpaceX doesn't do the Moon SpaceX wants to colonise another world [1]. The Moon is more difficult to colonise than Mars because it has no atmosphere. This means no aerobraking, no aerodynamic flight (e.g. for drones or parachutes) and no carbon dioxide from which to make rocket fuel [2]. Furthermore, while the Moon being close to the Earth makes supplying a colony easier, it also reduces its as an independent hedge for humanity. Any gamma-ray burst, nearby supernova or supercharged solar flare hitting the Earth will probably take out a base on the Moon, too. Mars has a chance of hiding behind the Sun. > A Moon base relay is FAR more meaningful to our established presence in space I think an independent colony is a far more valuable. > and [could be] a fallback location for global conflict See above. A lunar base would be dependent on terrestrial re-suppply. Knocking out those logistics knocks out the base. [1] http://www.techinsider.io/elon-musk-mars-colonies-human-survival-2015-10 http://www.techinsider.io/elon-musk-mars-colonies-human-surv... [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabatier_reaction#Manufacturing_propellant_on_Mars https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabatier_reaction#Manufacturin...
- danieltillett 10y ago
  There is water (ice) on the moon at the poles and carbon in the rocks so it would be possible to make rocket fuel. Wanting to colonise Mars does not mean you should avoid the moon. Edit. Spelling
  - xufi 10y ago
    Interesting point. Do you think Elon Musk would ever create a expedition to the Moon even though he's so focused on Mars right now? I always thought he would've tried at least once
    - danieltillett 10y ago
      Von Braun wanted to go to Mars too, but ended up choosing the Moon as being the more viable option.
      - 10y ago
rplnt 10y ago
I think we have enough time to care about fallback location for human civilization. What I would be interested in is, could Moon be used to build radio telescope array? Shielded from Earth's noise. More importantly, would the benefits outweigh the costs?

I really don't understand why SpaceX doesn't do the Moon. A Moon base relay is FAR more meaningful to our established presence in space, and a fallback location for global conflict.

bbcbasic 10y ago

> and a fallback location for global conflict. Or something else to fight over

Exras 10y ago
I'm reminded of the ending in Iron Sky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uimh2EBB1yQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uimh2EBB1yQ

deleted 10y ago

[deleted]

robzyb 10y ago

SpaceX's care about "our established presence in space" is secondary to their care of revenue and profit.

mwfunk 10y ago
That's hardly surprising given that they wouldn't exist without the possibility of revenue. I'm not sure why you think this should be disturbing to anyone though.

readams 10y ago

You can buy space on a Falcon 9 today and go to the moon. It's just that nobody wants to since there's nothing there. But some of the Lunar X-Prize participants plan to use a Falcon 9.

JumpCrisscross 10y ago

> I really don't understand why SpaceX doesn't do the Moon SpaceX wants to colonise another world [1]. The Moon is more difficult to colonise than Mars because it has no atmosphere. This means no aerobraking, no aerodynamic flight (e.g. for drones or parachutes) and no carbon dioxide from which to make rocket fuel [2]. Furthermore, while the Moon being close to the Earth makes supplying a colony easier, it also reduces its as an independent hedge for humanity. Any gamma-ray burst, nearby supernova or supercharged solar flare hitting the Earth will probably take out a base on the Moon, too. Mars has a chance of hiding behind the Sun. > A Moon base relay is FAR more meaningful to our established presence in space I think an independent colony is a far more valuable. > and [could be] a fallback location for global conflict See above. A lunar base would be dependent on terrestrial re-suppply. Knocking out those logistics knocks out the base. [1] http://www.techinsider.io/elon-musk-mars-colonies-human-survival-2015-10 http://www.techinsider.io/elon-musk-mars-colonies-human-surv... [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabatier_reaction#Manufacturing_propellant_on_Mars https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabatier_reaction#Manufacturin...

danieltillett 10y ago
There is water (ice) on the moon at the poles and carbon in the rocks so it would be possible to make rocket fuel. Wanting to colonise Mars does not mean you should avoid the moon. Edit. Spelling
- xufi 10y ago
  Interesting point. Do you think Elon Musk would ever create a expedition to the Moon even though he's so focused on Mars right now? I always thought he would've tried at least once
  - danieltillett 10y ago
    Von Braun wanted to go to Mars too, but ended up choosing the Moon as being the more viable option.
    - 10y ago

rplnt 10y ago

I think we have enough time to care about fallback location for human civilization. What I would be interested in is, could Moon be used to build radio telescope array? Shielded from Earth's noise. More importantly, would the benefits outweigh the costs?