NASA Considers Plans for Permanent Moon Base 353
el crowbar sent us a link to an MSNBC article detailing NASA's plans for a moon base. The permanently staffed structure could begin construction sometime in 2010, with six-month duty rotations the norm by 2025. Interestingly, the space agency is looking far afield for technical expertise. Consultants on the project include individuals from Caterpillar, Norcat, Boeing, and other manufacturing concerns. Right now the only detail for placement and purpose is 'on the rim of a crater near one of the poles', but the article outlines a few other ideas that enterprising individuals have in mind for a moon base. Besides helium-3 mining and lunar hotels, do you have any good ideas for a moon base startup?
Haven't they learned anything? (Score:2, Informative)
Indians are going... (Score:3, Informative)
Samarium mining (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Make it mobile (Score:5, Informative)
That's not entirely true. The earth rises and sets in places all around the moon's circumference as seen from the earth, not only at the equator. The effect that makes the moon's face as seen from the earth move a little bit is called "libration". There is libration both in longitude and in latitude. For some points near the poles of the moon, libration in latitude can make the earth invisible at times. Formulas for calculating librations can be found in chapter 53 of this book [willbell.com].
Re:Possibly ... (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Well at least we can dream (Score:4, Informative)
Von Braun's body lies a moulderin' in the ground (Score:4, Informative)
Moon Pirates (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Already there (Score:0, Informative)
It's Straker, ignorant loserboy nerd.
TheBudgetGraph.com (Score:5, Informative)
Boxing? no. (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Von Braun's body lies a moulderin' in the groun (Score:3, Informative)