Hey, we're going back to the dark side of moon.
Great to see the successful launch of the Artemis II rocket.
Great to see a rocket being used for something other than a weapon.
Inevitably there are concerns about the long term objectives.
The future control of the moon's potential resources
seems to be of increasing interest to China, Russia and others.
The race is on!
Resource Utilization (ISRU):
Modern missions focus on In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)
using lunar materials to "live off the land".
Water Ice:
Confirmed at the lunar poles, this ice can be harvested for drinking water,
breathable oxygen, and liquid hydrogen/oxygen for rocket propellant.
Helium-3:
The Moon's soil contains Helium-3, a rare isotope that could potentially
fuel future clean-energy nuclear fusion reactors on Earth.
A "Lunar Economy":
Exploration encourages a new cislunar economy
involving private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin
for cargo delivery, mining, and eventually tourism.
Moon wars aside, the technology is amazing
and you have to admire the bravery of the astronauts.
Jeez, I want a medal if I go on a rollercoaster!
I must admit my enthusiasm for off-earth exploration weighs heavily sometimes
due to the late, great Bill Hicks who suggested, quite rightly, that maybe
we should feed everyone before embarking on expensive forays into space.
Take me away?
(cartoons by Gary Larson)
regards
Titus
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