Science and commerce may be headed for a clash on remote terrain: the Moon. For the first time in half a century, NASA is sending a craft to the lunar surface, with the launch at the end of this year of Peregrine Mission 1, a lander built by the private company Astrobotic Technology. Dozens of other craft will soon follow, many as part of NASA’s Artemis program to return astronauts to the Moon. Most researchers are looking forward to a new golden age of exploration and science. But some are worried.
They foresee that the advent of private landers will lead to a “Moon rush,” as companies race to grab valuable minerals and resources while trampling over scientifically important lunar sites. With space law offering little or no protection to these areas, researchers are starting to lobby governments and international agencies to do something before it’s too late.
—Science
Who would have guessed we would be reading about this in our lifetime?
November 30, 2023
Sometimes it’s hard to believe how far we’ve come. I really don’t see why anyone would want to go to the moon though.
Not us!
they can have the moon and all of space, i will be keeping my body right here in Florida until the day I die. we might still see it or might not, but our kids will see it and that is crazy..
We’ll have to see. It’s mind boggling to think about it.
That is very interesting. Thank you for sharing.
It’s too amazing not to share. 🙂
That sort of happened on day one as the USA and Russia fought to be the first to land on the moon and plant their flag. It has always been a land grab. What’s new is private flights instead of only government ones.
Those private flights will make a big difference.
I suspect it’s already too late. Greed knows no borders.
Yep. 🙁
Leave it to humans. It’s not enough to screw up one planet now they’ll totally mess up the moon too.
Years ago Ray Bradbury wrote about that. But then it was science fiction.