Science Vs The Moon: Why Are We Really Going Back?
Dec 10, 2021
A new lunar race is igniting interest in space exploration. Countries and billionaires are vying to tap into the moon's resources, sparking a debate over a possible lunar gold rush. While mining rare elements is tempting, some argue that lunar exploration is key for future Mars missions. Innovative plans, like the Farsight Array telescope on the moon's far side, promise groundbreaking discoveries. The motivations behind this new wave of exploration reveal both geopolitical ambitions and scientific aspirations.
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Childhood Moon Landing Memory
- Angel Abbud-Madrid recalls watching the moon landing as a child with his family.
- His grandmother questioned the mission's value, sparking his lifelong interest in space exploration.
Lunar Rare Earth Elements: Not So Rare
- Rare earth elements, while important for technology, are not as scarce on Earth as their name suggests.
- Current data shows their concentration on the moon is low, making lunar mining impractical.
Helium-3: Potential vs. Reality
- Helium-3 is a potential clean energy source, and the moon has more of it than Earth.
- However, we lack the technology (nuclear fusion reactors) to utilize it, making lunar helium-3 mining currently pointless.