Why do the Americans want to build a station on the moon when they can't even look after the earth?

Question

I don't drive a huge 5 litre petrol car (infact I don't drive a petrol car at all).
I bet McDonalds puts a restaurant up there too!

OK, maybe I was in a bit of a cynical mood!

Answer 1

profit-evenutally they want to allow private companies to use the station for their use after it is established.

Answer 2

Ouch, there's a lot of cynics out there!

Thankfully the stewardship of the Earth isn't purely in the hands of the Americans. (It's taken a decent effort from all the developed nations and the demand for industrial parity from the developing nations to really screw up the planet, but that's a whole other subject...)

There are a number of reasons to return to the Moon and establish a base for lunar habitation.
Firstly, there is the amazing science that will be possible. By building an observatory on the dark side of the Moon astronomers would be able to peer into the universe in all wavelengths without electromagnetic pollution from the Earth negatively effecting their obvervations. This could only lead to a better understanding of the universe as a whole. (One of many arguments based on science.)
Secondly, there is the opportunity for advanced manufacturing. As we have learned from orbital flights and experimentation on board the various space stations (Mir, Skylab, I.S.S.) there are many advanced materials (and even drugs) which are easier to produce in conditions of reduced gravity. While the limited gravity of the Moon (about 17% the strength of gravity on Earth) wouldn't be sufficient in the vast majority of cases, the comparitive ease of launching from the surface of the Moon to a lunar orbit than from Earth to an Earth orbit (lower gravity = lower thrust required, hence less fuel per unit of payload) makes it a very attractive prospect.
Thirdly (and finally for my answer, though there are many arguments just as compelling), there is the need for human expansion. The Earth is a single ball of rock (a very nice ball of rock, granted), which is constantly being bombarded from space. Most of the material that enters the atmosphere burns up harmlessly, but all it would take is one decently sized asteroid or comet to strike the Earth and the best we could hope for would be that the human race is reduced to a few tens of thousands of people scattered across the globe and returned to comparitively primative conditions - at worst (or perhaps best for the planet) we would be utterly wiped out. The Moon is the obvious first tentative step to settling another planet (Mars perhaps) and eventually expanding beyond this solar system, which in the long-term is the best chance we have of surviving as a species.

The last thing I'd like to say, is that it may well be the Americans who have announced this, but to make it work it will take effort and input from all nations, and from big business. The whole world watched NASA land men on the Moon in the 60's and 70's, but it was too much for one nation to sustain. This will have to be a global project...

Answer 3

Americans will want to build a station on the moon because the moon's regolith is a source of extremely valuable fuel for fusion power, 3He. A single cargo of 3He the size of the Space Shuttle would be worth billions, and would provide all the energy needs of the United States for over a year.

Answer 4

Ever notice that the Earth has benefitted the most from the space program? Ever see a weather sattellite picture? A hurricane warning posted that saved thousands of lives because of those pictures? Ever used a pocket calculator? A computer with IC chips? Anything using velcro? The space program benefits EARTH more than anything else... that's why. And since when is the US responsible for taking care of the entire Earth? What about China, Russia, Europe, etc? The USA may be the last military superpower, but it still can't take care of the entire Earth by itself - it will need cooperation from the rest of the world.

Answer 5

Coz the American Goverment is becoming the next Nazi Empire and as such wants to own and control anything and everything it can. (...and I thought the British Empire, back in the day, was bad!)

I'm sure there's are other uses for this station on the moon... but why doesn't America fund another country to do it? That way it's a joint effort rather than just the American goverment trying to get their grubby mitts on the moon.

Answer 6

What are you doing to protect the earth? This kind of question indicates that you really know nothing about astronomy or science. America leads the world in technology. Building a moon colony is the next obvious step. Science and humanity will advance because of such adventurous endeavors.

Answer 7

A look-out station. Having explored, designed and constructed on Earth it is time to expand into a new frontier. Humankind developed and spread across the Earth, next stop the solar system. And why not, it's getting boring just running around in circles down here.

Answer 8

Ouch, that hurt.
Maybe it is because there has been probably a lot more positives from out of earth than in it.
I just think and I do not know.

Answer 9

not sure about the moon base but someone will open a corner shop there soon and then the neighbourhood goes down hill from there..

Answer 10

Because earth's resources are finite and they want to get hold of the next lot.