Should astronauts return to the moon? That's what President Bush has proposed, but scientists are divided about whether the moon is the right goal.YES We should return to the moon for three reasons: science, resources, and inspiration. The moon opens a window on the 4-billion-year history and evolution of our planet and the other planets of the solar system solar system, the sun and the surrounding planets, natural satellites, dwarf planets, asteroids, meteoroids, and comets that are bound by its gravity. The sun is by far the most massive part of the solar system, containing almost 99.9% of the system's total mass. . Because the moon has no atmosphere and little internal heat, the fine lunar dust has recorded the time line of geologic events--events continually erased from the dynamic surface of the Earth. Lunar landscapes can be confusing, so astronauts need to walk and work on them to recognize which rock samples to collect and analyze. Unlike robots, only people have the intelligence and expert knowledge needed to unravel these mysteries. Field geology requires hands-on work by the most experienced scientists. The moon contains material and energy resources that could be used as fuel for future trips to planets beyond Earth. The lunar surface The lunar surface (or the surface of the moon) differs greatly from that of Earth. Different topography exists and soil composition and properties differ. Environmental factors affect the lunar surface. is more than 40 percent oxygen by weight. Humans need oxygen to breathe, but it's also an essential component of rocket propellant pro·pel·lant also pro·pel·lent n. 1. Something, such as an explosive charge or a rocket fuel, that propels or provides thrust. 2. . The moon has mountain peaks in near-permanent sunlight near the dark craters of the moon's poles. Scientists believe ice--that is, water--can be found in these craters. Ultimately, this energy-rich area will revolutionize space travel by making the moon the first fueling station in space. Returning to the moon will give us the skills we need to mine resources and live on another planet. Learning to live and work productively on the moon is a great challenge--and one we must accept. Paul Spudis Paul D. Spudis is an American geologist and lunar scientist. In 1976 he earned a B.S. in geology at the Arizona State University. Following his graduation he performed an internship at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, during the Mars landing of that year. Applied Physics Laboratory The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), located in Laurel, Maryland, is a not-for-profit, university-affiliated research center employing 4,000 people. Johns Hopkins University Johns Hopkins University, mainly at Baltimore, Md. Johns Hopkins in 1867 had a group of his associates incorporated as the trustees of a university and a hospital, endowing each with $3.5 million. Daniel C. NO President Bush has called on NASA NASA: see National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA in full National Aeronautics and Space Administration Independent U.S. to return astronauts to the moon by 2020. While the space agency has long needed a new vision, the President made the wrong choice. NASA's goal should not be the moon; it should be Mars. Unlike the moon, scientists believe Mars once had abundant liquid water on its surface, so it could have been, and may still be, a home for life. Mars holds the key to our enlightenment on the issue of the prevalence and diversity of life in the universe. Also unlike the moon, Mars has carbon, nitrogen, concentrated mineral ore, and all the other resources needed not only for life, but for technological civilization. For the coming age of exploration, Mars compares to the moon as mainland North America North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. compared to Greenland for the European explorers of the 16th century. Mars is a place we can actually settle. It is this test that will determine whether humankind can become a multiplanet species. When President Kennedy committed us to reach for the moon, he said, "We choose to go to the moon, not because it is easy, but because it is hard." We did it then, in eight years, using 1960s technology. For President Bush to say that our ambition today should be to repeat the feat of our grandfathers, in twice the time, is setting not a brave goal, but a timid one. Our nation was built by people willing to dare to do things and go places no one had ever done or gone before. We cannot afford to become less. We need to choose courage, not timidity. We need to reach for Mars. Robert Zubrin Robert Zubrin is an American aerospace engineer and author, best known for his advocacy of manned Mars exploration. He was the driving force behind Mars Direct—a proposal intended to produce significant reductions in the cost and complexity of such a mission. Author The Case for Mars |
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