[oleg]

Originally posted by gregebowman:
...I'd also like to see us colonize the moon. Even if they can't find enough ice there, they can build some Saturn V size boosters and launch water to the moon. From what I've read, that's the major stumbling block for this endeavor. But I bet if they could find a big enough vein of gold or platinum or uranium, an effort could be made to settle the moon. With over 6 billion people living on the earth, we definitely need to expand our horizons and create living spaces on the moon and maybe Mars.

...

Moon has one perspective mineral practically absent on Earth : He3
here is just one link:
http://www.asi.org/adb/02/09/he3-intro.html
He3 is the best source of fussion material.
He3+De->He4+H reaction has a very high yield and is clean since there are no neutrons and gamma-radiation. Eventually, it should become the optimal source for interplanetary or even interstellar travel (no need for heavy radiation shielding). Even if it will prove too costly as an energy source for Earth, I imagine Moon station as a major terminal for future space exploration.

[ October 16, 2003, 15:26: Message edited by: oleg ]