It's Official: In 2017, We Begin Mining the Moon

Hope I'm not running a repeat, but saw this browsing news today. Reported by the Motley Fool:

www.fool.com... urce=yahoo-2&yptr=yahoo

Good news for Moon Express, and for space investors everywhere: Mr. Jain is going to get his shot at the Moon.

Earlier this month, in the press release heard round the world, the U.S. government approved a plan for privately funded space company Moon Express to land a robot on the Moon. It's taken four months for the government to figure out how to approve a mission of this sort -- which has never been attempted by any private company anywhere on Earth before. Everyone from the Department of Transportation to the federal alphabet soup of FAA, NASA, and NOAA weighed in on the mission, which the 1967 United Nations Outer Space Treaty requires the U.S. government to "authorize and supervise.

Apparently, for the first time, a private company has been given the green light to pursue "peaceful space exploration." More interesting is that Moon Express' interest in the moon is to eventually expand the resources and economic sphere of earth, i.e. moon mining. Obama apparently had also stated that private companies engaged in moon activities would be able to keep/claim ownership of anything they decide to take. I personally find that a little worrying. Thoughts?

originally posted by: Burnitalldown
I personally find that a little worrying. Thoughts?

Why?

This has the potential to be one of mankind's greatest steps, a start of a new age.

a reply to: crazyewok

If it were completely for the science, I'd be onboard probably. What worries me is that prior to this project, Obama has already given private companies permission to strip mine the moon. Okay, that's an exaggeration, I admit, but I don't have a lot of faith in private companies looking out for the best interest of all mankind.

a reply to: Burnitalldown

Posted Aug. 3. In the forum filter by "New" to see new threads.

And they want to put ashes there... a-holes

a reply to: Burnitalldown

Pure science was never going to get us futher than temporary tin cans in space.

What drives mankind is profit.


And its the freaking moon. Not like there a Environment to pollute. Better them to strip mine that barren lifeless rock than bulldoze another few thousand square miles of rainforest.

a reply to: TEOTWAWKIAIFF

Gotcha, my mistake.

I do not believe any of us will be alive to see another human step foot on another celestial body.

a reply to: Burnitalldown

Who is Mr. Jain?

originally posted by: Burnitalldown
a reply to: crazyewok

If it were completely for the science, I'd be onboard probably. What worries me is that prior to this project, Obama has already given private companies permission to strip mine the moon. Okay, that's an exaggeration, I admit, but I don't have a lot of faith in private companies looking out for the best interest of all mankind.

That means someone like spaceX could go up, claim the moon in it's entirety and prevent it. Since they are already far ahead equipment wise, they could beat them to the punch. As much as i love spaceX, They are just a company like other well intention but eventually turned evil companies, Just give it time.

Putting aside that (rather large) issue, My opinion is as fallows: WE FINALLY GUNA TO EXPLORE SPACE, W000000.

I'm not completely against mining resources in space though, as they could be used to build in space itself. Think large habitable space stations, moon colonization, Which would also cause space transportation research to explode with funding. No draw backs to that imo. I would much prefer we left the moon alone when it comes to mining though. There is no shortage of asteroids that arent necessary to our survival.

why did the government need to approve it, does the government think they own space and other planets?

a reply to: Burnitalldown

If they are successful and return any significant mineral wealth to the earth, there will be multitudes of law firms and insurance entities lining up to take possession, just like when they find sunken treasure.

The gubment stands by, waits for the find to be made and then the police show up and confiscate it. Mel Fischer had his treasure hoard confiscated (it was eventually returned) and the latest find of gold and silver bullion found in the Straits of Gibraltar was confiscated and returned to the Spanish government.

a reply to: Burnitalldown

I think it's the next step in our evolution , we need to get out there and if business is at the forefront then so be it.

a reply to: Tardacus

Exactly, as long as they launch in a safe area how do these puppets think they have any authority in the matter.

Soon, they extend our current evolution by securing it as well.

originally posted by: tikbalang
a reply to: Burnitalldown

Who is Mr. Jain?

Here he is.

originally posted by: tikbalang
a reply to: Burnitalldown

Who is Mr. Jain?

Naveen Jain is the co-founder Moon Express.

The original thread and article on ATS posted by TEOTWAWKIAIFF:

www.abovetopsecret.com...

"It's Official: In 2017, We Begin Mining the Moon"

More like:

"It's Official: In 2017, We Will Continue Mining the Moon"

Burnitalldown

More interesting is that Moon Express' interest in the moon is to eventually expand the resources and economic sphere of earth, i.e. moon mining. Obama apparently had also stated that private companies engaged in moon activities would be able to keep/claim ownership of anything they decide to take. I personally find that a little worrying. Thoughts?

I find it a bit worrisome too..It is pivotal to our survival..I don't think we should mess with it...just my opinion though..

originally posted by: Tardacus
why did the government need to approve it, does the government think they own space and other planets?

The 1967 United Nations Outer Space Treaty claims that the United States must supervise all journeys into space. Or something like that. I can't remember the actual wording. Not saying it's right, but that's the "law" they cite for having to ask "permission" to go to Moon.

Additionally, after some thought, my biggest problem is that there seem to be unilateral decisions being made by TPTB regarding who gets to lay claim to the Moon. I suppose I'd like to see a little more thought being put into the long term implications of such measures and rulings.