I saw an article on CNN.com this morning, that China, Japan, India, Europe, and the US have all sent probes to the moon to look for Helium 3 to use for energy here on earth.
Doesn't anyone think of what would happen if we start mining the moon, what it will do to Earth?
2007-11-19 02:39:51 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Rather than the expense of going to the moon and mining He3, here's a better idea: Why don't we get it here on Earth from dismantling our nuclear weapons? :-)
2007-11-19 02:45:53 · answer #1 · answered by kyeri y 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It wouldn't do anything to earth. Currently we have no idea how to perform nuclear fusion and get more energy out than we put in. Until that fateful day mining the moon will remain utterly theoretical. Even then the fusion reactor would have to be economically viable to build. No company will build a fusion reactor if its cheaper to generate other forms of energy. If the complexity of such a reactor is such that a mistake is likely to happen that would cause megadeaths, it won't be built. So any reactor has to be possible, safe and cheap. This isn't likely to happen for a long time. And if it requires fuel from the moon, guess what will happen to the cheap part of the equation?
2007-11-19 10:52:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If there is an energy source available on the Moon that would not only advance mankind, but also help stop pollutants, wouldn't you rather use that than have man destroy the atmosphere and bring us closer to doom? Judging how it's the moon and it has no atmosphere to trap deadly fumes and the such, let alone have any AIR for us to breath in the first place, there really isn't any way that it would affect the moon. And if we're even able to USE this new energy source, we'll worry about the Earth then.
2007-11-19 10:46:59 · answer #3 · answered by Kialie J, yo' 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Of course a LOT of thinking has been done about how mining the Moon will affect Earth. Otherwise, why would so many resources be spent to investigate the possibility?
2007-11-19 18:57:03 · answer #4 · answered by Eratosthenes 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. It should not do anything to Earth. We are talking about a tiny mass exchange at best. The He3 could be used for fusion, but only on the Moon. Not enough and way too expensive to transport physically back to Earth. I suppose the power could be sent as microwaves, but again, not economically.
2007-11-19 10:42:20 · answer #5 · answered by Cirric 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have no problem mining the Moon. It will not damage Earth at all. Nothing that happens on the Moon can have any effect on Earth.
2007-11-19 10:47:50 · answer #6 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
that would be a good thing because then rich corporations would have the reason to go to the moon and make money while creating the future. if i was the moon i wouldn't mind trading helium for life forms. if i had any use for helium i wouldn't be so dead.
2007-11-19 11:35:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
What happens on the Moon, stays on the Moon.
Damn, I gotta open some casinos on the Moon!
"Elvis in Spacesuits!"
"Sigfried and Roy's White Mooncats!"
2007-11-19 11:21:01 · answer #8 · answered by Faesson 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Earth will be screwed regardless.
2007-11-19 10:49:47 · answer #9 · answered by GI Tract 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋