[Rictor]

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17943650-13762,00.html

Let me just say, on the record: this is ****ing awesome.

[Ford Prefect]

That is, indeed, nothing short of awesome. I hope it actually happens.

[Mefustae]

Am I the only one who thinks the US is going to try extremely hard to sabotage this?

But on a lighter note, I read the first line that makes reference to a 'rare mineral', and for some strange reason I instantly thought 'Tilium!!'

[Taristin]

oh that joke never gets old

[BlackDove]

The Americans are going to be the first to start mining H3. No doubt in my mind about that.

[Goober5000]

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17943650-13762,00.html

Let me just say, on the record: this is ****ing awesome.

They can't do that!  They copied part of the backplot of TVWP Chapter 1!

[Scuddie]

I hope at one point this becomes a global venture.

[Deepblue]

The Americans are going to be the first to start mining H3. No doubt in my mind about that.

Replace that with China I think. American's are a bit less excited about space travel with shuttles burning up on re-entry.

IMO, NASA should scrap manned flights when they are...
A. Unecessary.
B. Grossly Expensive.
C. Dangerous.

[BlackDove]

You're right, China is in the running, but I still think the USA will be the ones.

After all, they are fit to gain most form it I guess (biggest electricity consumer right?), considering just a few tonnes (20?) of H3 could power the entire country for how much.... a year?

Anyway, I'm talking out of my ass for the most part, but I doubt the US would allow anyone to taste the forbidden fruit before them.

[Deepblue]

Jealously is the great motivation behind all advancement.

[Mefustae]

Jealously is the great motivation behind all advancement.

Indeed, it's how man landed on the moon... well, we would have landed on the moon, had the US not conducted a massive conspiricy to lie to the entire world and trick them into believing Americans walked on the lunar surface...

[BlackDove]

I sense a great disturbance in the force.

The force tells me to run the **** out of this thread because a massive argument of moon-landing-theories is coming.

I love the force. It saves my ass. Byebye.

[Scuddie]

China will not be the victor in the race to mine H3.

After all, China does not exist.

[Jetmech Jr.]

Am I the only one who thinks the US is going to try extremely hard to sabotage this?

But on a lighter note, I read the first line that makes reference to a 'rare mineral', and for some strange reason I instantly thought 'Tilium!!'

Yes, of course the U.S. will.

As far as the topic of Russian Moonbases goes, I expect to see good things come of this. Though, does Russia have the economy to support something like this?

[Night Hammer]

wow i love the antiAmerican sentiment here

[Rictor]

Not at all. Just playing up the US-Russia rivalry. They were the first to reach space, but America was the first on the moon. First one to land anything on Mars too. So the race continues, with a moon base and a manned mission to Mars as the next big objectives.

Though I am puzzled as to why NASA is so unambitious. I mean, surely they have access to more money than either the Russians or Chinese, and a pretty clear public mandate to get out there and win one for America, so why are they flying around in old shuttles when they could be building newer and better ones than anyone, including the Europeans. Hell, diverting even a small portion of the yearly 500-billion military budget to space exploration would surely pay for a moon base with moon jacuzzis and moon pies for everyone.

[Night Hammer]

I dont doubt you are, im refering to others' comments though

[Ace]

Because the policy makers are too busy playing prophecy-maker in the Middle East as opposed to doing things that will actually create humanity's destiny.

But when you're busy listening to the crazy blonde in your head screaming about god's plan...

[Nix]

Well, NASA did have that shuttle burn up on re-entry recently.  Didn't NASA do research on how to make a better rocket booster, one that didnt have all sorts of crap that flew off of it during takeoff?  Maybe they're trying to research better ways to get into space, and better vehicles to use in space before setting thier sights on putting an installation on the moon first.

[Mefustae]

The thing is, NASA isn't unambitious, it's just the US Public get tired of things like this veeeery quickly. Take the Lunar Landings (which were faked btw, but that's beside the point), by the third or fourth mission, nobody really cared, at least, compared to the fanfare of the Apollo 11. Popularity over the Space Shuttle and soforth is nowhere near as high as it was back then, and it never will be. What the US needs is a good ol' fashioned Cold War to get her moving again.

Am I the only one who thinks the US is going to try extremely hard to sabotage this?

But on a lighter note, I read the first line that makes reference to a 'rare mineral', and for some strange reason I instantly thought 'Tilium!!'

Yes, of course the U.S. will.

As far as the topic of Russian Moonbases goes, I expect to see good things come of this. Though, does Russia have the economy to support something like this?

Say what? I was merely suggesting that the US might not take this lying down. Greed is a powerful force these days.

Sales representative - "...you'll be on you way to the Moon! And while you're there, pick up some of that nice, green Moon Money for me; Hank McKutchin"
Homer - "No deal, McKutchin! That Moon Money's mine!!"