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posted by
martyb
on Wednesday June 08 2016, @09:17AM
from the build-a-space-elevator-on-the-moon dept.
from the build-a-space-elevator-on-the-moon dept.
NASA seems hell bent to go to Mars, but can't afford to on its own.
Its international partners have no stomach for that — they would would rather return to our moon and build a base there for further exploration.
Doesn't going back to the moon make more sense? Build a base on the moon, and use its low gravity and possible water at the poles as propellant for further space exploration?
Why not the moon first?
http://www.theverge.com/2016/6/7/11868840/moon-return-journey-to-mars-nasa-congress-space-policy
Links:
From NASA itself, in 2008: https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/news/series/moon/why_go_back.html
The all-knowing, ever-trustworthy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonization_of_the_Moon
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Should We Skip Mars for Now and Go to the Moon Again?
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(Score: 2) by PinkyGigglebrain on Wednesday June 08 2016, @08:14PM
Ion engines. The ISS has solar panels to power them and the fuel is cheap.
instead of dropping the thing in the ocean in pieces it could be filled with durable supplies, food/ water, spare parts and anything else that doesn't need to be shielded or refrigerated and some instruments (high res telescope cameras and mapping radars) to help pick an eventual landing site. We could send the exrta stuff up with every supply launch and start storing it on the ISS in that new inflated habitat module that isn't going to get used by the crew anyway.
Then send the ISS on a low energy transfer orbit to Mars, it would take a few years sure but it would be on station and ready for the later manned mission that could take a faster transfer orbit for the same fuel since it doesn't have to carry as many consumables.
Not going to happen of course but fun to talk about.
"Beware those who would deny you Knowledge, For in their hearts they dream themselves your Master."