NASA chief Chris Scolese has hinted that plans for a moon base are in doubt. “NASA will probably not build an outpost on the moon as originally planned.” If this proves to be true, the implications are far-reaching.
For example, here is a sampling of responses on twitter about the news:
Scolese says NASA is being asked to do too much with too little funding.
NASA gets cold feet on Moon base plan: Lunar outpost apparently off the agenda
NASA Acting Admin Scolese believes China will have ability to go to Moon before US regains that capacity.
Rumors of NASA abandoning the Moon seem to be greatly exaggerated compared to what Scolese actually said.
While it may be too soon to tell what NASA actually intends to do, if there isn’t going to be an American lunar outpost, this could either preserve or doom the moon, depending on whether others see an opportunity to step up efforts to stake claims on the lunar regolith.
Maybe developing an outpost is not worth it to anyone. Other countries or private firms may see no advantage to it. The moon is not very accessible to very many–not like California or the Klondike when those gold rushes took place. Without NASA leading the way, the moon could remain largely untouched for decades.
But if nations like China, or private organizations spurred on by lunar competitions and prizes determine their futures depend on being first, unregulated development could have permanent, negative ecological consequences.
This bears watching.
