I feel we should be doing a lot of the same research with the Moon, though. Perhaps that is best left for private industry to tackle on its own. It’s a frontier within their grasp.
Altering the orbital mechanics of the solar system, even to ‘park’ an asteroid, is pretty daring. Perhaps that should be the kind of thing we put national resources into. Pioneering new frontiers.
I am now reminded of all manner of SciFi involving hollowed out asteroid bases. I’m also reminded of Collector ships (from Mass Effect) and wonder if when we’re done with this thing, we might retrofit it for a trip elsewhere.
Originally shared by NASA
NASA’s FY 2014 budget proposal includes a plan to robotically capture a small near-Earth asteroid and redirect it safely to the Earth-Moon system, where astronauts can visit and explore it.
The astronauts will build on years of knowledge from the International Space Station, exploration mission concepts, scientific spacecraft and ground-based analog missions.
Learn more about this new initiative at: http://go.nasa.gov/asteroidinitiative
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/asteroids/news/asteroid_initiative.html
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I really don’t want to see the Moon left to other countries, or even worse forgotten about, but with limited resources I’m glad NASA is working on pushing the frontier.
I just hope private industry can step in and develop the Moon appropriately.
]]>I really don’t want to see the Moon left to other countries, or even worse forgotten about, but with limited resources I’m glad NASA is working on pushing the frontier.
I just hope private industry can step in and develop the Moon appropriately.
]]>Hang on. I own an acre of moon. I bought it off the Head Cheese. You keep your yanky doodle hands off of my acre! Oh course, you two will be welcome for Moon Cocktails any time!
On an equally serious note, capturing an asteroid will be impressive.
]]>Hang on. I own an acre of moon. I bought it off the Head Cheese. You keep your yanky doodle hands off of my acre! Oh course, you two will be welcome for Moon Cocktails any time!
On an equally serious note, capturing an asteroid will be impressive.
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