Hidden Nook
"Because in Cyberspace, no one can hear you scream."
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Robots Exploring Moon First (NASA)
[Media Source*] (Hat Tip: Lunar Soil)
(The Avion Online) In order to better understand the Moon before actual human presence is there, NASA will send robots to the Moon to study various locals. The robots will help determine landing sites for future missions. They will also determine which, if any, resources, such as oxygen and hydrogen, will be available for use in future manned missions to the Moon.
Using robots to scour the surface of the moon for water, fuel and metals will not only save time selecting hospitable locations but also avoid us selecting hazardous ones as well. Although probably not on the agenda, NASA should also equip the robots with lunar lawnmowers in order to resolve the moon dust issue which can cause havoc to both machine and man (once a site is selected of course).
(The Avion Online) "Establishing research stations on the moon will give us the experience and capabilities to extend to Mars and beyond," Butler Hine, robotics deputy program manager, said in a NASA press release. The first extended human expedition to the lunar surface will take place as early as 2015, but no later than 2020.
The moon is mankind's testing ground for whether or not our species has "grown up." It will determine whether we become a multiplanet species as it is a testing ground for other worlds such as Mars, Europa, Ganymede and Saturn's moons. In the words of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (1857-1935), a Russian scientist who developed the rocket propulsion theory:
"The Earth is the cradle of mankind, but one cannot remain in the cradle forever."
Editor's note: Amen to that!
Deutsch ⢠Español ⢠Français ⢠Italiano ⢠Portugese ⢠æ¥æ¬èª ⢠íêµ â¢ æ±è¯
Comment Policy: Comments posted here do not necessarily reflect the views of this site or the authors, and are the legal responsibility of the original commenter. Intelligent opinions welcome. Comment here.
By Darnell Clayton ⢠10:29 PM ⢠Email Post ⢠â¢
Enter your email address below to subscribe.
Button Membership
Important Information
View Blog Stats
Plus 10,667 hits before August 12, 2005
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.
Opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of anyone that I work with, for, or associate with in any manner.
