[aldo_14]

who finds it interesting that the plan for NASA to go back to the moon has resulted in a slashing of budgets for NASAs' science program and climate change studies (satellites)?

[Colonol Dekker]

Yes

[Mefustae]

Learning more about the Sun is - while cool - bad for business, obviously.

On a side note, what exactly is the benefit of going back to the Moon, anyway? I mean, they're obviously not planning any type of permanent or temporary settlement there in the near future, and it's not like there are crazy-rare minerals up there, so is there an actual reason for pumping massive amounts of money into the project other than as a publicity stunt?

[Prophet]

Well I find this interesting...

[aldo_14]

Learning more about the Sun is - while cool - bad for business, obviously.

On a side note, what exactly is the benefit of going back to the Moon, anyway? I mean, they're obviously not planning any type of permanent or temporary settlement there in the near future, and it's not like there are crazy-rare minerals up there, so is there an actual reason for pumping massive amounts of money into the project other than as a publicity stunt?

Stops China getting there.

EDIT; actually, I have a feeling the moon is potentially rich (or richer than earth) in Helium-3, which is potentially of use as a fuel source for nuclear fusion.

[Colonol Dekker]

Give me some linkage to that fact, <curious>

[aldo_14]

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/helium3_000630.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/226053.stm

and

http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/china_moon_030304.html

[Mefustae]

But, according to my extremely credible source within Saudi Arabian Oil Co., Fusion is a very expensive, very wasteful power source that could potentially destroy the entire planet! Frankly, fusion just isn't worth the risk when we've got inexpensive, safe and clean energy systems already running.





...

[Grug]

But, according to my extremely credible source within Saudi Arabian Oil Co., Fusion is a very expensive, very wasteful power source that could potentially destroy the entire planet! Frankly, fusion just isn't worth the risk when we've got inexpensive, safe and clean energy systems already running.





...

Does perk ones curiosity does it not?

[Colonol Dekker]

EDIT; actually, I have a feeling the moon is potentially rich (or richer than earth) in Helium-3, which is potentially of use as a fuel source for nuclear fusion.

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/helium3_000630.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/226053.stm

and

http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/china_moon_030304.html

So you dont have a feeling, you read it then?

[Ferret]

So you dont have a feeling, you read it then?

Space telepathy. Aldo just needed to cement his feelings with scientific fact. Also he was abducted and ooo the aliens did some terrible things, and oh how he squeaked YES HE SQUEAKED!

[Rictor]

Maybe they want to go back to the Moon because they know Mars is too far off, and want a nice, steamy helping of the ol' Space Race spirit?

Honestly, the next goal is a manned mission to Mars, and I think it's pretty absurd that the Russians, Chinese and Europeans, in addition to the US, are all planning trips to the Moon when there's little glory to be had getting there 40 years after America first landed. Though I have read about Russian plans to establish a base on the Moon, which would definitely be awesome, and make the whole thing worth while.

[aldo_14]

*squeak*

[Colonol Dekker]

I know, whats the point of going up and coming back an hour later, We need some permanance, Establish a foothold and set up some sort of relay between any outposts and the ISS when it gets finished......(hypothetical of course)

[Nuke]

*squeak*

i think hey enjoys that

[Flipside]

The Mars mission got cancelled when someone pointed out that the Solar Radiation would make it pretty much impossible atm, kinda Ironic that they should put a satellite on hold that could have helped to find a solution to that problem in order to go back to the moon...

[perihelion]

*squeak*

Don't you mean:

SQUEAK.

[aldo_14]

*squeak*

Don't you mean:

SQUEAK.

Only on weekends.

[an0n]

They should just kill all NASA's universal research and tell them they've got 20 years to develop viable FTL systems or they get disbanded.

[Ace]

That'd be my solution:

You have unlimited funding for two goals:
1) Create a functional FTL drive
2) Find an Earth-like planet in another star system.

You have 20 years to accomplish both goals, if you fail your mission, then you're all fired.