If we end up building a base on moon, what do you think will be a, if any, beneficial side effect for mankind?

Question

They say that after we build a base we will be able to build solar satelites that feed the earth with solar energy...kind of like solar harvesters...

Statistics predict that harvesting just 1% of the solar energy on the moon would end our fossil fuel dependency world-wide. Thoughts.

After reviewing such data it becomes a lot more apparent the usefulness of such an endeavour, instead of just a hollow idea for national prestige.

mom of 2....

you know..I am a very intuitive person...and I think you are very correct...The amount of junk we have in space could cause a problem where all the satelites create a 'domino effect' that would create a cosmic cloud of debris around our planet, preventing us from traveling outside or developing communications in space...bringing a downfall to our economy..

We would survive...there are new technologies that allow communication by high altitude zepplins and plains...they said that in sucha scenario..it woudl take 20 years to get all communciations back to the origin...so at least in such a scenario we would be set back by 50 years, and it would take 20 to get back to previous levels...which is not that much of a catastrophy for humanity concerning other alternatives (aka, nuclear war).

by domino effect above...I mean a high speed collision causes one satelite to explode into a million peices...and those peices do the same to 3 other satelites...and each of those to another 4, etc, etc...until everything is a dust cloud of high speed particles circling the earth...they would eventually come down to earth and incinerate themselves...but our earth would probably be covered for 20-30 years.

schnurrba:

I disagree, there is nowhere near the 'solar' potential on earth than on the moon. This is because of our atmosphere...they would get the power to us by 'beaming it' onto the earth---this is many factors of magnitue more efficient. a solar base on the moon could greatly reduce our fossil fuel dependence relative to a simple solar farm on earth that accomplished close to nothing.

klatluver...rockets don't use gasoline, they use compressed hydrogen..but I see your point. There is a lot of things that are useless in space and I agree...the space shuttle is a frieken ridiculous idea and waste of money that should have been placed into research and education.

However, I think there is a breaking point to usefulness and that is when we start producing our products IN SPACE....when this happens..I think all you need to do from then on is just put humans in place to operate the machinary...

Its called increasing marginal returns--where you put a lot of money into a project...such as a lunar base...and nothing coems of it, nothing comes of it...until one day...you have people figure out how to build most of their materials in space (example: they build a 'rover ship' in space, which harnesses metal from an asteroid, and then brings the material ore to the moon)..the moon base, with many factory scaled materials and machinary..drills the ore for scale--makes

sheets of it which are then placed into the form designated for the moo base...

all they would need is a foundry--which they could build little by little with rockets...which would 'mold' the ore into a shape...and that would be, I don't know---a "residential module'---and then inside such a module..you could then put an oxygen tank--which was harnessed from a plant that converts the CO2 humans produce.

yes, most probably 50 years ahead. But there is a breaking point--and once we reach it in space---space could become very profitable due to zero g and it could help our world energy wise and manufacturing wise.

also...when you have an objective in a timeframe..it tends to speed technological progress..I agree with my 8th answerer on that one--just the fact of putting money into the program and going to the moon, and building a base, will lift morale and curiosity, which will in turn make people obssessed about science and such for the rest of their lives...which would speed technological developement...also, the many contracts in such a project will reveal many new ways of doing this through the many failures...so I don't think its a bad a idea...NASA is a symbol...more so in the older generation--and I think its a good way to 'signal' to the population what's good to concentrate on...even though it will not directly help out most immidiet needs (energy needs, etc). It will msot likely help us indirectly.

Answer 1

Beneficial for what can be learned scientifically but not for life support,

Answer 2

To many to count, but I will name a few:
1)Increased Knowledge
A)Medical
B)Architectural
C)Engineering
D)Space/Physics etc
2)By Products
A)Medical
B)Food Stuff (Preservation)
C)Communications
D)Clothing
3)New Industries
4)New Jobs
5)Stepping stone to mars and beyond

This is one of the most exciting things happening since man first walked on the moon. For those that doubt the merits of space exploration, give up your cell phones, computers, coffee, light weight materials, even satellite TV and radio, these are just some of the things that we got from space exploration, it's knowledge and knowledge is what moves the world forward.

Answer 3

I think that a base would not only be a stepping stone to further space exploration but to expand what we all should be doing and that is more education for all. It would encourage more people to enter compete with their brains instead of with guns. Some if the responses to this question were simply pathetic. Is man kind really this dumb? Doesn't anyone watch Star Trek the Next Generation? Think of the possibilities.

Answer 4

In my opinion, there is no good reason to go to space (anywhere) at the moment. Not only is it EXTREMELY expensive and uses hundreds of thousands of gallons of precious gasoline, but there is no point to anything. There are no uses for anything up there currently, only what might be an idea 50 or 100 years down the line. Just remember some of the crazy ideas people thought the world would be like in 2000-- most of them still far from true. I think that instead of wasting time, energy, resources etc., we should focus on what's happening on OUR planet. Use some of that money to handle what's going on here.

The only thing I can compare space travel to is a child running and hiding from it's problems. Or maybe a project gone wrong-- didn't work, so just leave it to collapse, and start anew somewhere else. Foolishness.

Answer 5

i think having a permanent base on the moon with a series of astronauts, will inspire a generation of kids out of their lethargic attitude towards science and exploration in general.

Also, the use of liquid telescopes as discussed at various sites online, could allow for greatly improved observations on the universe. Maybe seti can make a huge radio telescope that has no inteference from local sources.

plus the space race is now between china and US. Its a shock to the system, and with every shock comes progress. Who knows maybe space age materials will allow for ultralightweight armor for police officers.

Special therapy that could be used to reduce bone loss in astronauts during long missions could also be used to help prevent bone loss in the elderly.

the creation of super-eficcient fuel cells to run the power supply in the moonbase or moon vehicles could be used in hybrid cars. A similar boon to solar cells recently was discovered- see www.sciam.com

plenty of other examples, from better planes, to better cell phones, to better food preservation.

the fact that people don't take care f their environment now when there is no space exploration except using the space shuttles indicated that there is pretty much no trade-off between space exploration and green-initiatives. If your bothered about pollution- then why not talk about using making fuel cells, solar cells, and other technologies that have been developed for use in space , to reduce our ecological footprint?!!! And the amount of fuel saved will be in the millions of gallons of fossil fuels as opposed to the small contribution of greenhouse gases from rocket engines as compared to cars, trucks etc!

Answer 6

It amazes me how we have so many internal problems here in the US that need funding and don`t have the money to do so, But can find so much Unnecessary bull crap to spend billions of dollars on... I`m not saying the space program isn`t important or interesting but who`s PRIORITY system are we following? Also our country tends to want to house and feed people in other countries before our own. TOOOOO MUCH POLITICS IN POLITICS... My spouse and I have 1 simple rule that keeps our house hold running efficiently **take care of home first** When the bills are paid and the kids are fed that`s when you have the money for entertainment and special interests. That`s how this country needs to be run !!!

Answer 7

I think that too much going into space and things being brought back is throwing the whole system off balance. I think we need to be careful about how much is put up there. Just my thoughts.

Answer 8

Only another very expensive hobby for the boys and girls at NASA and a huge drain on taxpayers, the place to make our earth a better place is right here on tera ferma..Nasa will B.S anything to try and convince it is a good thing just so the can have there fun...

Answer 9

I think the US government aka g.w. just wants to put up a moonbase in order to use it as a cover for a missle launching pad! No lunar base would or could be beneficial for humankind. Why can't we just concentrate on the problems here...on this planet!?!?!?!

Answer 10

He who has the greatest technology rules the world. The moon would be a good place to develop and test weapons of mass destruction, or develop nanobots that can reproduce themselves without (as easily) plaguing mankind. And so on. Welcome to the future.