why bother

[anglepose]

why on earth (excuse the pun) are nasa sending men to the moon havent they got more importent things to spend 10 billion on or however much it will cost.

[InfiniteNow]

SPACE.com -- NASA Weighs U.S. Strategy for Moon Exploration

The NASA lunar architecture unveiling is expected to answer the “why?” of returning to the Moon. Throughout this year, NASA has solicited input regarding the benefits of lunar exploration from academia, the private sector and space agencies from around the world.

SPACE.com -- Mining the Moon, the Gateway to Mars

Any high hopes of sustaining expeditions on the Moon, Mars or beyond will depend on getting "down and dirty" on those worlds -- in the form of using on-the-spot resources.

[Buffy]

The whole point of NASA is to spend money on things that don't appear economically viable to build up the research base that will *make* it appear viable in the future. Hawking went on record this week saying humanity better start working on colonizing other planets. While maybe "moon as a staging point for Mars" is an extra step beyond what might be rational, its the the big ideas ("we choose to go to the moon") that gain public support.

It takes time, but we've already got Richard Branson turning Virgin Airways into Virgin Spacelines, and plans for orbital hotels, principally because the US and Russia proved the concept of viable space stations. It will be big business soon. The moon is likely to be a treasure trove of minerals that we are slowly running out of, and possibly the first colony for putting more bodies per Hawking.

There will always be cynics, and those who say "we've got enough problems right here," but if governments didn't support this kind of thing, the New World would still be "undiscovered."

But because they are hard,
Buffy

[anglepose]

fair enough im a crynic, but its true!
the usa currently falling way behind other countries in enviromental advances and protecting the enviroment as well as still having not sorted out the problem in iraq which brings me to the fact that this could be a very big pr stunt to divert peoples attention from iraq an on to going to the moon. further more to the idea we need to put people on the moon let me remind you the we havent populated 2/3 of the earth surface in the form of oceans which i say would be much more pratical and possible seeing as there on our doorsteps not 100,000s of miles away thats where we should pupulate next.

[Tormod]

Originally Posted by anglepose

why on earth (excuse the pun) are nasa sending men to the moon havent they got more importent things to spend 10 billion on or however much it will cost.

This question begs the response: Why do YOU think the US spends billions on sending people (not only men) to the Moon?

The space industry is one of the largest industries in the world, and it has the unique ability to provide insight into an environment we don't know too well - that of space. Lots of things that are developed for use in space (for example, materials and equipment) have a direct kickback benefit here on Earth.

Whereas the Apollo missions mostly were about going to the moon and back (with mostly scientific tasks performed during the stays on the moon), the next time around NASA is clearly saying that this is not a there-and-back-again expedition. The US is establishing a manned presence on the moon. The moon has vast resources which are useful for humanity. However, it is impossible for industrial actors to make any use of them.

NASA's most important task at the moment is to define a railroad system which will enable missions back and forth to the moon on a permanent basis, so that it will eventually be easier for private enterprise to use the infrastructure.

In the meantime, giant contracts are awarded, creating (and sustaining) a large number of jobs. It also creates a lot of innovative ideas, partnerships, and alliances.

It sounds like you believe someone is sending money into space. That money is actually going somewhere, and the return will end up in humanity's pockets.

[Tormod]

Originally Posted by anglepose

the usa currently falling way behind other countries in enviromental advances and protecting the enviroment as well as still having not sorted out the problem in iraq which brings me to the fact that this could be a very big pr stunt to divert peoples attention from iraq an on to going to the moon.

Well, welcome to the real world. The space program began a long time before the Gulf war(s), and will last long after it. However, the Iraq war probably costs more than a mission to the moon so I think you got that backwards. Maybe the Iraq war is a big PR stunt to derail the public's attention from more interesting and challenging prospects - like creating a human habitat on the moon?

further more to the idea we need to put people on the moon let me remind you the we havent populated 2/3 of the earth surface in the form of oceans which i say would be much more pratical and possible seeing as there on our doorsteps not 100,000s of miles away thats where we should pupulate next.

This is based on a misunderstanding. The moon cannot sustain a single human being at the moment. It would probably be easier to settle on Mars than the moon, except for the fact that it's a bit longer to travel. Mars has the same surface area as the Earth has landmass.

It will probably take at least 100 years (and I believe that is a very optimistic guess) before civilians can hope to live on the moon. In the meantime, creating a human base on the moon will teach us more about life on the Earth.

One of the most important lessons to learn from space missions is how incredible our own planet is. By focusing the public attention on how we learn to travel in space and what benefits it can bring, we can hopefully show people how fragile our world is, and how much we need to take care of it.

You probably missed Stephen Hawking's speech the other day.

[anglepose]

"One of the most important lessons to learn from space missions is how incredible our own planet is. By focusing the public attention on how we learn to travel in space and what benefits it can bring, we can hopefully show people how fragile our world is, and how much we need to take care of it."

I agree with that i guess a PR stunt to help everyone look after the world better wont go amiss.
however how willing will people be to go to mars its an awfull long way away? although sustaining a colonie would be of some benefit in the long long run were still talking at least 500 years before a large sustainable colonie is developed, although I have a lack of under standing of how they shall transport so many people there and back.
Space elavator?
new super hyper rocket engines?
could someone perhaps link me to a site which explains how they will set up a colony?

[Stargazer]

I can see good things in exploring and colonising the other worlds in the solar system. It's about building the future for our civilisation. Advances that I see in creating an interplanetary civilisation include exploration and science, technology, expansion and resources. Even though our technological civilisation was made possible largely because of the agricultural revolution, which eventually made us settle down and build large permanent cities, it seems we're not happy with staying at one place.

We're travelling all over the planet all the time, for trading, business, pleasure and exploration. I expect that we will continue to go to new places to build colonies, mining operations, scientific outposts... People have dreamt about travelling to the planets and the stars for centuries, and we're currently in the beginning of an era when we can actually make that dream become real. A few have already left the planet, and an even smaller group have landed on another world. This is just the beginning of an adventure that will hopefully never end. It will benefit us in many ways.

[InfiniteNow]

Your motivation to do more is good, but your excitement is causing your maturity to go stealth. Patience and persistence is where to focus your energy.

Why aren't we teleporting yet, now there's the right question to rant about!

[Stargazer]

Originally Posted by InfiniteNow

Your motivation to do more is good, but your excitement is causing your maturity to go stealth. Patience and persistence is where to focus your energy.

Was this directed at me, and if so, how am I immature?