Who believes that the moon is worth colonizing and why?

Question

NASA has recently suggested that they intend to set up a moon base on either the north or south pole to aid in our exploration of space. Is this a good idea? Why? Do you beleive this is a step in the right direction toward space colonization? Is space colonization silly? Why do you think so?

Answer 1

I think colonizing it would be a good experiment, but in the long run, it would be worthless. In terms of an experiment, it would allow us to test how humans could live away from earth, so we could judge how they would live on other planets, when the time comes.

Living on the moon will not prove anything for normal civilians. It is far too small to solve an overpopulation problem (it is only 100 times larger than Texas). If it aided our exploration of space, that would be great, but we would have to contimually get supplies to the moon, adn that would prove to be difficult.

Intereesting tid bit: NASA is planning to bomb the moon to analyze the resulting cloud and scan for minerals and remnants of water.

Answer 2

I do believe the moon is worth colonizing for several reasons.

The first reason is just to re-establish the challenge to the human race in adapting to a new environment, and surviving it.

The second is planetary defense. Its easier to intercept a hostile threat out in space than at the planets surface.

The third is planetary regulation. Those that own the high ground can control the earth. Think of a rail system flinging blocks of moon rock at the earth as a means to obliterate certain places that quite frankly need it, due to hostile tendency's.

The fourth is for interplanetary exploration. 1/6 gravity and a wealth on materials plus all that raw sun power, and you have the means to make quite a few useful things. Throw in the possibility of water, and you have fuel.

The fifth reason...because its something I'd like to do.

Answer 3

The Moon would be a very good place for a series of astronomical relescopes sensitive in almost every region of the spectrum from gamma rays down to infra-red and radio. There are probably thousands of geologists who would like to get their hammers into the rocks. It could be a good site for growing crystals in low gravity conditions which might improve electronics. Maybe some high-value minerals can be found.

It is no good for a refuelling station unless fuel can be produced from local materials on the Moon, and even then it would make more sense to launch the fuel from the Moon for refuelling in space. Any realistic consideration of orbital mechanics reveals that taking off from Earth, speeding up enough to escape Earth's gravity then slowing down enough to be captured by the Moon, then escaping from the Moon's gravity is a waste of fuel. Better to fuel up enough here on Earth and head directly to Mars or where-ever.

This is one of Dr. Robert Zubrin's main points in his book "The Case for Mars" where he argues that four or five Saturn V rockets or equicalent heavy launch vehicles are enough to start a permanent base on Mars.

Mars is a far better and safer spot than the Moon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Zubrin

Answer 4

There would be several benefits to having a colony on the moon.

It would make a great refueling point for any future manned-missions to mars or venus, considering the large sums of fuel it would take just to escape Earth's gravity.

Since the moon doesn't have an atmosphere, it would make a great observation platform for powerful telescopes, viewing far off regions in space.

It could be a source of needed minerals, though it is still cheaper to acquire the same minerals here on Earth.

Due to a low-gravity, vacuum environment, various production processes would be far easier to perform. Hence the possibility of moon-based factories.

Answer 5

Space colonization is cool but it will take too much resources and funds.
And no, not at this time.
There is far too much issues going on Earth and the idea is overly ambitious. With a national bebt of 8.500 trillion dollars, this is a bad time to do so.
We must stablilze our own planet first before going out and working on another. We must stop conflicts, pollution, and unite as humans before venturing out on such a task.

Answer 6

We will eventually need to colonize extrasolar planets. So first we'll have to find them. A moon telescope could help, and it might be easier to service and upgrade than one in space. Or maybe not. In any case, space colonization in general is not silly, it will be necessary someday. But we do need to improve what we're doing on Earth, and fast.

Answer 7

I believe it is a very good idea. One of the most valuable pieces of information we gained about how the universe was formed was gained from obtaining moon and studying moon rocks. I believe space exploration should be all mankind should worry about.

Answer 8

I analyze them. there replaced right into a Wikipedia article on the two. i in my opinion could be shi'ing pants on the two circumstances. The moon is so dark and small and Mars is so far-off and has no ecosystem.

Answer 9

I feel that it benefit mankind greatly. We could send all the criminals up there and have them try and discover justice. If they killed eachother off, who cares. We would not have our money going to pay taxes to support those clowns anymore. They could live up there rent-free and we would give them lots of Tang and space food.

Answer 10

I think we need to solve the problems we have here, before we go around polluting and destroying the moon or any other planet!!