Science fiction becoming reality.

Edited May 27May 27 by martin-w

Are we establishing Moonbase Alpha and will we be storing nuclear waste on the moon? 😉

4 minutes ago, stans said:

Are we establishing Moonbase Alpha and will we be storing nuclear waste on the moon? 😉

I don't think that would be a good idea because if it detonates it could blast the Moon out of orbit so it becomes a spaceship rock and subjects the Moonbase personnel to all manner of crazy adventures.

It is true, of course, that Musk wanted to call his base Alpha, but NASA haven't decided on a name for theirs yet.

Edited May 27May 27 by martin-w

Bear in mind that this entire venture is predicated on whether they have the ability to actually put someone on the surface first...

On the other hand, wouldn't the staggering sums of money involved in this
be better spent on fixing this world, rather than starting to ruin our moon
and no doubt later, Mars?

4 hours ago, Reader said:

On the other hand, wouldn't the staggering sums of money involved in this
be better spent on fixing this world, rather than starting to ruin our moon
and no doubt later, Mars?

What would we ruin? The Moon is a cold barren rock.

We are currently in a new space race with China. China have committed to building a base on the Moon and Mars. There are strategic and economic reasons for building a base on the Moon. Lots of valuable minerals like Helium 3 for fusion, which is rare on Earth.

As for cost its' about $18 dollars per US taxpayer per year. Worth the cost considering the benefits. The world could be fixed whether the US taxpayer has to spend $18 or not, the reason it isn't is due to other factors.

Establishing a permanent base on the Moon offers significant strategic, scientific, and economic advantages that serve as a stepping stone for deeper space exploration.

Strategic and Logistical Advantages

• Proximity to Earth: The Moon is only a three-day journey from Earth, allowing for faster resupply, communication, and emergency return compared to Mars.

• Low Gravity Gateway: Launching from the Moon is roughly 20 times easier than from Earth due to its lower gravity (\(1/6^{th}\) of Earth's) and lack of atmosphere. This makes it an ideal staging ground for missions to Mars and asteroids.

• Testing Ground: It serves as a "proving ground" for testing critical technologies like life-support systems, 3D printing with local materials, and long-term habitation before attempting more distant missions.

Resource Utilization (ISRU)

• Water Ice: Deposits found at the lunar poles can be converted into drinking water, breathable oxygen, and rocket fuel (hydrogen and oxygen), turning the Moon into a "space gas station".

• Lunar Regolith: Moon soil can be used for 3D printing habitats, providing natural protection against radiation and micrometeoroids.

• Energy and Minerals: The Moon contains Helium-3, a rare isotope on Earth that could potentially power future clean nuclear fusion reactors. It also offers abundant solar energy and metals like aluminum and magnesium for manufacturing.

Scientific and Economic Benefits

• Astronomical Observations: The far side of the Moon is shielded from Earth's radio chatter, making it an unparalleled location for sensitive radio telescopes.

• Health Research: A base allows scientists to study the long-term effects of low gravity and space radiation on human physiology and circadian rhythms.

• Lunar Economy: Establishing infrastructure fosters a new economy involving lunar tourism, mining, and private-public partnerships with companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin

Here's a nice poem about the Moon that my cat wrote. It definitely wasnt AI. 😏

A silver coin tossed in the night,

It catches every dreamer’s sight,

A quiet watcher, old and wise,

That hangs across the ink-black skies.

It changes shape from day to day,

A crescent slice, then fades away,

Before it swells to full and bright,

Drowning the world in milk-white light.

It pulls the oceans from the shore,

Then guides them safely back once more,

A lonely dancer, pale and spinning,

An endless end and new beginning.

So when the darkness starts to fall,

It hangs a lantern for us all,

A glowing pearl, a timeless spark,

Our faithful friend within the dark.

2 hours ago, martin-w said:

Here's a nice poem about the Moon that my cat wrote. It definitely wasnt AI. 😏

A silver coin tossed in the night,

It catches every dreamer’s sight,

A quiet watcher, old and wise,

That hangs across the ink-black skies.

It changes shape from day to day,

A crescent slice, then fades away,

Before it swells to full and bright,

Drowning the world in milk-white light.

It pulls the oceans from the shore,

Then guides them safely back once more,

A lonely dancer, pale and spinning,

An endless end and new beginning.

So when the darkness starts to fall,

It hangs a lantern for us all,

A glowing pearl, a timeless spark,

Our faithful friend within the dark.

Cliche Cat is only in year 2 and will improve.

On 5/28/2026 at 12:22 AM, Reader said:

On the other hand, wouldn't the 'staggering sums of money' involved in this
be better spent on fixing this world, rather than starting to ruin our moon
and no doubt later, Mars?

A short Primer regarding the 'staggering sums of money' NASA is forecasting regarding the 'proposed' Moonbase...

Take a Dollar Bill out of your wallet/pocket, smooth it out and lay it flat on the table. Imagine that the Dollar bill encompasses the entire US Government Budget for a Fiscal Year.

Now, look at the right hand border of the Dollar bill... the part that has no Printing on it. That edge of the bill represents NASA's entire Budget for the Year; all of their Earth Sciences programs, Deep Space exploration, the Manned Spaceflight program including Artemis, the ISS, the Moon, Mars... everything NASA is involved in. Their Budget is honestly very sparse and miniscule compared to the entirety of the Federal Budget, and it's estimated that NASA's Budget will be reduced even further for FY 2027 and 2028.

So... don't automatically assume that NASA is a bottomless pit for Discretionary Funding and that they just throw $$ at conceptual or predicted Programs.

4 hours ago, martin-w said:

Here's a nice poem about the Moon that my cat wrote. It definitely wasnt AI. 😏

Show your cat this clip to inspire his art: