NationStates Jolt Archive

I mean, it's just a big rock, right?

Wrong. China, the US, and Russia want to build permanent bases there. Russia is even openly saying why they want to build one - to bring back large amounts of Helium-3.

And they accuse the US of plotting secretly to do the same.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/05/01/wmoon01.xml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helium-3#Fusion

Would there be a "war for the Moon"? We've had wars over lesser resources - and if we're running out of hydrocarbons, would helium-3 be worth killing over?

Cosmochemist and geochemist Ouyang Ziyuan from the Chinese Academy of Sciences who is now in charge of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program has already stated on many occasions that one of the main goals of the program would be the mining of helium-3, from where "each year three space shuttle missions could bring enough fuel for all human beings across the world."

In January 2006 the Russian space company RKK Energiya announced that it considers lunar helium-3 a potential economic resource to be mined by 2020.

Because it's cool. And because humanity needs to make the necessary steps into space soon, before the planet dies altogether.
The Moon rules!

Fear the Chinese space program!

http://i11.tinypic.com/4q6gow6.jpg

I guess the REAL question is...would ya eat the moon if it were made of barbequed spare ribs?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v341/Gyllenhaalic08/spareribs.jpg

I guess the REAL question is...would ya eat the moon if it were made of barbequed spare ribs?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v341/Gyllenhaalic08/spareribs.jpg

It's a simple question!

Think of the moon as the first step to a greater plan of eventual interplanetary colonization. They figure that if we can colonize the moon we can eventually colonize anywhere. Stop to think... what is the closest body to earth that is almost as hostile as it can possibly get toward humanity but still have a margin of success settling it? The Moon!
It lacks an atmosphere, has a fraction of earth's gravity, and is completly devoid of water. If humanity can overcome these challenges and settle on the moon then we can be sure that we have a chance of colonizing other planets. That and its really close by...

I mean, it's just a big rock, right?

Wrong. China, the US, and Russia want to build permanent bases there. Russia is even openly saying why they want to build one - to bring back large amounts of Helium-3.

And they accuse the US of plotting secretly to do the same.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/05/01/wmoon01.xml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helium-3#Fusion

Would there be a "war for the Moon"? We've had wars over lesser resources - and if we're running out of hydrocarbons, would helium-3 be worth killing over?

I think this may ultimately turn into US and Russia becoming allies and using this as a means to exert control over China and put both countries into super power status over the rising China. It will be a power struggle, but I doubt a war over the moon.

Think of the moon as the first step to a greater plan of eventual interplanetary colonization. They figure that if we can colonize the moon we can eventually colonize anywhere. Stop to think... what is the closest body to earth that is almost as hostile as it can possibly get toward humanity but still have a margin of success settling it? The Moon!
It lacks an atmosphere, has a fraction of earth's gravity, and is completly devoid of water. If humanity can overcome these challenges and settle on the moon then we can be sure that we have a chance of colonizing other planets. That and its really close by...

As well as cheap space missions (from the moon), better medicines and highly advanced research from the experiments on purity and nanotech. It would jump our technology so much (like the first space program did).

As well as cheap space missions (from the moon), better medicines and highly advanced research from the experiments on purity and nanotech. It would jump our technology so much (like the first space program did).

Velcro, Cell Phones, Mircrowave Ovens, Dehydrated Ice Cream.. just to name a few.

Velcro predates, but the modern version was refined by it. Try barfood, protein food, 'space' pens, solar panels, medicines, etc.

1) Training for future missions to other planets. The moon is nice and close so if anything goes wrong it's a fairly quick trip.
2) Resources, at the moment it's not economical to ship everything up to the moon for building materials and launching platforms to other planetary bodies, processing materials on site for things like rocket fuel will significantly lower costs of future endeavors.
3) Helium three, a valuable and potentially potent energy supply, if somewhat rare.
4) Why not? It's pretty cheap considering. Compared to the cash shoved down the rathole that is Iraq it's a steal to go to the moon.

The big problem with Helium-3 is getting it back to earth. It's kinda hard to run a few power lines a quarter of a million miles from the Earth to the Moon. It's going to be an Engieneering challenge to create a large spacecraft that can survive reentry at the speeds a trajectory from the moon would bring.

Of course, if we could generate the power on the Moon and somehow beam it back to earth, that would work too. Or get a Space Elevator.

1) Training for future missions to other planets. The moon is nice and close so if anything goes wrong it's a fairly quick trip.
2) Resources, at the moment it's not economical to ship everything up to the moon for building materials and launching platforms to other planetary bodies, processing materials on site for things like rocket fuel will significantly lower costs of future endeavors.
3) Helium three, a valuable and potentially potent energy supply, if somewhat rare.
4) Why not? It's pretty cheap considering. Compared to the cash shoved down the rathole that is Iraq it's a steal to go to the moon.

We are talking $120 Bil. That's not cheap.

We are talking $120 Bil. That's not cheap.

We've spent a lot more on Iraq, and in terms of the US GNP, it's a pittance.

We are talking $120 Bil. That's not cheap.

We've blown $400 billion or so on Iraq. I'd rather go to the moon. It's cheap!

We are talking $120 Bil. That's not cheap.

Spread out over 20 years. NASA has not gotten much in the way of new funding since Constellation started. Much of the cost will be offset with the retiring of the space shuttle.

Egghiccup;12599564']Better that the estimated $400 billion estimated dollars spent blowing up brown children in the middle east.

I say lets go Daddy-o!!

But of course any nation that gets there will have to pay England rent, as everyone knows that the moon is British.

The US planted a flag on it. It's ours.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEx5G-GOS1k

We've blown $400 billion or so on Iraq. I'd rather go to the moon. It's cheap!

Cheaper you mean. I think your wallet might explode with a $120 million bill, much less $120 billion.

The US planted a flag on it. It's ours.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEx5G-GOS1k

Pesky thing is that the US is a signatory to that bill that prevents them from claiming territory outside of earth.

Pesky thing is that the US is a signatory to that bill that prevents them from claiming territory outside of earth.

Yeah, like we signed the ABM Treaty...

http://www.weebls-stuff.com/games/Moon+War/

Egghiccup;12599564']Better that the estimated $400 billion estimated dollars spent blowing up brown children in the middle east.

I say lets go Daddy-o!!

But of course any nation that gets there will have to pay England rent, as everyone knows that the moon is British.

The moon cannot be claimed by any nation. Atleast none of the ones who are signatories to that treaty saying that.

Though if we ignore said treaty, it belongs to the US. We got there first.. Bitches.

Pesky thing is that the US is a signatory to that bill that prevents them from claiming territory outside of earth.

Doesn't mean we have to honor that commitment. Treaties are made to be broken.

http://www.weebls-stuff.com/games/Moon+War/

Cool, like a primitive version of Scorched Earth, or more recently http://www.scorched3d.co.uk/.

Ka-boom! Love destructible landscapes.

http://www.normanfinkelstein.com/img/features/latuff/img/9.jpg

been waiting to post that

*picture thing*

been waiting to post that

It would be kinda hard to pound a sign in on Saturn or Jupiter.

Well it'd be a big investment in the cheese market!

It would be kinda hard to pound a sign in on Saturn or Jupiter.And the Sun?:p

Until you can show me a reactor that produces more power than it consumes it will be a waste of time to bring back the He3. Hell, the reactor would have to produce more power than was required to go to the moon and collect it in the first place.

We are talking $120 Bil. That's not cheap.

To the US Government 120 Billion dollars is petty cash.

I mean, it's just a big rock, right?

Wrong. China, the US, and Russia want to build permanent bases there. Russia is even openly saying why they want to build one - to bring back large amounts of Helium-3.

And they accuse the US of plotting secretly to do the same.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/05/01/wmoon01.xml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helium-3#Fusion

Would there be a "war for the Moon"? We've had wars over lesser resources - and if we're running out of hydrocarbons, would helium-3 be worth killing over?

You forgot ESA. Manned mission by 2020 hopefully

You forgot ESA. Manned mission by 2020 hopefully

Considering that the ESA has never had a manned spaceflight, they're kinda out of the running atm.

uh, duh....we have to corner the cheese market before the Chinese and the Russians! :p

uh, duh....we have to corner the cheese market before the Chinese and the Russians! :p

American... cheese?

*vomits*

I blame Lunar Wars (http://www.lunarwars.net/).

*ducks*

Considering that the ESA has never had a manned spaceflight, they're kinda out of the running atm.

The
Aurora Program includes manned mission to the Moon, whether this part gets scrapped only time will tell though

Egghiccup;12599599']
Therefore the Queen is Head of State and until the Clangers vote for independence, British it shall stay!


HUZZAH!!!

The clangers...brilliant!

The Aurora Program includes manned mission to the Moon, whether this part gets scrapped only time will tell though

If what happened to Hermes is any indication, I wouldn't hold my breath.

Just wondering, how many carbon emissions are released on your average moon visit?

Trilby63;12599889']American... cheese?

*vomits*

no you fool LUNAR CHEESE!

I guess the REAL question is...would ya eat the moon if it were made of barbequed spare ribs?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v341/Gyllenhaalic08/spareribs.jpg

I guess broadcasting Flub games on WGN for 15 years has an effect of frying people's brains.

We've blown $400 billion or so on Iraq. I'd rather go to the moon. It's cheap!

...and certainly more hospitable.