December 22, 2003
A Trip to the Moon
Today, Easterblogg mocks a NYT Op-Ed arguing for a permanent lunar base on the moon. Readers of The Piraeus (particular archive unfortunately down) already know the Bush administration is actually considering a new mission to the Moon.
If Bush actually goes through with this, I hope the Democratic nominee counters with Gephardt's "Apollo Program" proposal to make cheap clean energy (solar, etc.) a central national priority. Success in such an endeavor would not only substantially raise the standard of living but would give us the energy independence necessary to shore up national security.
Although I support continuing space exploration and an eventual colony on the moon, now is not the time. Given our limited resources and growing deficit, there are projects far more deserving of federal funding. Of course, maybe they could get a great campaign picture of Bush in a space suit out of it.
Jesus another trip to the moon would be stupid. Particularly so close to the Endeavor disaster. We should let other countries that have never been to the moon fund their own expeditions Example: China which has a relatively small space programs and has not yet been to the moon. (On the other hand, there is this story (http://www.space.com/news/russia_china_010910.html) describing the Chinese intent to build a moon base and NASA's uneasiness.)
How is Beagle 2 doing, anyway? Last I heard, it had separated and was headed to Mars to do some drilling.
Anyhoo, a moon mission seems so desparately anachronistic, expensive, and dangerous. I vote nay.