European Moon Launch Last Week

SAMU · #1 (**permalink**) 05-October-2003, 07:53 AM

is expected to reach the moon in December 2004. 810-pound craft will explore the moon, look for water and help scientists study the idea of building a permanent human base on the lunar surface.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...moon_mission_2

More here.

http://www.ssc.se/ssd/smart1.html

Pinemarten · #2 (**permalink**) 06-October-2003, 11:59 AM

In your links , I failed to find mention of "building a permanent human base on the lunar surface".

I am probably wrong but.....
I feel there are wiser places to build a base.
The moon is too close, and to expensive.

Amadeus · #3 (**permalink**) 06-October-2003, 12:11 PM

I thought the main reason to build a base on the moon if it had water was to use it as a refueling station. Using the water to produce fuel to replace the large amount used to escape the Earths gravity.

Pinemarten · #4 (**permalink**) 06-October-2003, 12:18 PM

I agree.
But I feel we are into a 21st century 'leave the sol system' race.
The moon has water, Mars has water.
The good bucks (I feel), will focus on Mars.

Madcat · #5 (**permalink**) 06-October-2003, 08:26 PM

Why? What in particular interests you about Mars? Wouldn't a moon like Europa be more likely to have the interesting Chemistry going on?

SAMU · #6 (**permalink**) 07-October-2003, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinemarten

In your links , I failed to find mention of "building a permanent human base on the lunar surface".

I am probably wrong but.....
I feel there are wiser places to build a base.
The moon is too close, and to expensive.

First link second paragraph.

It has been over 30 years since a man has been farther than low earth orbit. Mars and Europa are kind of far away before recovering some of the territory a certain generation (I won't name names, but they know who they are.) let slide.

Pinemarten · #7 (**permalink**) 07-October-2003, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinemarten

I agree.
But I feel we are into a 21st century 'leave the sol system' race.
The moon has water, Mars has water.
The good bucks (I feel), will focus on Mars.

Sorry.
I meant that Mars was a better choice than the moon. Moons like Europa would be OK. Would we prefer a body with water of fuel?
Doesn't one body have liquid methane?

SAMU, you are right. I should learn how to read slower. :wink:

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode