Dearest readers,
For my first post I will be delving into the controversial world of the moon and its role in the space programs of mankind. We are the future of this world and the decisions we make today will influence our lives and the great destiny of the human race. It is our duty as future scientists and engineers to begin to discuss these problems of the future and consider their impacts. I have performed research about the benefits and disadvantages of using the moon as a source of unlimited materials and energy and the opinions I have discovered are stern and vary greatly. A new age space race may be at hand as nations seek to stake their claim on the moon for economic, scientific, and environmental reasons while earning their place among the stars forever.
Original Nature article: “Because it’s There”
"Because It's There." Nature.com. Nature Publishing Group, 31 Oct. 2007. Web. 30 Jan. 2015. <http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v450/n7166/full/450002a.html>
This author seems to believe that the newest age of space exploration to the moon and its resources is futile to mankind development. The article states that the moon is being used as a testing ground for young and upcoming space programs while large programs like NASA have no interest. These young programs are using the moon to gain qualification as a contenders in a future space race, raising comparisons to the United States and Soviet Union Cold War race. The author believes there is no actual value to the moon other than the ability to show national prowess and ambition which to many nations, especially China, is very important. The idea of bringing resources on the moon back to earth including He-3, according to the author, is “ludicrously constrained”.The author states that putting men on the moon serves no purpose other than gaining global recognition that you have once again accomplished a useless task first accomplished in the 1960’s.
Friedman, Louis. "Op-Ed: The New Space Race: It's Not Just the U.S. and Russia Anymore."The Planetary Society Blog. 13 Dec. 2013. Web. 30 Jan. 2015. <http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/lou-friedman/20131213-op-ed-space-race.html>.
Friedman believes that there are many space races in full swing between India, China, Japan, Russia, European nations and the United States as well as a few private sector companies. He considers these space races very important to the countries and the human race, and he supports the space programs even in countries with high poverty. While Friedman recognizes and appreciates the current space race he states that all countries must cooperate and collaborate together to advance the human species. He hints this is a tricky situation with national pride being a potential hindrance with all countries wanting to lead the world.
"The End Of Fossil Fuels." - Our Green Energy. Web. 30 Jan. 2015. <https://www.ecotricity.co.uk/our-green-energy/energy-independence/the-end-of-fossil-fuels>.
The author of this article understands that fossil fuels are nonrenewable meaning they can and will run out, yet the author argues that this is no issue to mankind because we will have a new energy source by the time our reserves are depleted. The author says that the increasing use of fossil fuels is no problem because of our increasing use of green energy in combination with the discovery of new fossil fuel reserves. The author hints at the devastating climate change that would be the result of completely depleting the earth's fossil fuels. We must begin working now on alternate green energy methods according to the author to avoid this global climate change and energy crisis.
Crawford, Ian. "Why We Should Mine the Moon - The Epoch Times." The Epoch Times Why We Should Mine the Moon Comments. 29 Nov. 2014. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1111909-why-we-should-mine-the-moon/>.
This article is arguing that the moon may be the key to solving the world's growing energy crisis and economic downturns. The moons potential to provide vast, almost unlimited, rare earth elements could potentially supply the earth with its resources for an incredible amount of time. The author Crawford supports the acquiring of these materials, yet he remains skeptical of the costs to do so and environmental effects it will have. He believes that the moon is a great opportunity for mankind yet also a great challenge. He remains optimistic about the future yet wants to remain “down to earth” about the subject matter.
"Plans to Mine the Moon Pose Legal Questions: Letters to the Editor." ProQuest. The Times[London(UK)], 8 Aug. 2014. Web. 30 Jan. 2015. <http://search.proquest.com/docview/1551813202?pq-origsite=summon>. (This article must be accessed through the ncsu library website by searching the title, logging in, then narrowing the search to newspaper articles.)
The author of this article is raising questions of the moral and realistic aspects of traveling to the moon and mining the undisturbed surface for substances we can not use. The author draws similarities between the earth and our deforestation to the impact mining the moon would have. The author believes that the moon is the last untouched frontier that we should not disturb for the sake of the dream of endless, clean and free energy. While the moon does have a promising future the author thinks we should be realistic with our capabilities. The author also states that the current treaty that is in place does not limit the exploitation of the moon for resources, and that a new treaty must be established to protect the moon.
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