XPost: sci.space.policy   
   From: chernyshevsky@hotmail.com   
      
   Maybe we can just drop a giant balloon on the Moon and call it the day. It   
   would certainly look impressive. What the point of building a real lunar   
   base when we have yet tackle problems like supply and crew rotation? Using   
   existing programs and personnel this country will go backrupt maintaining a   
   presence on the Moon.   
      
   Uzytkownik "Bill Bogen"  napisal w wiadomosci   
   news:de488a4f.0401150600.7afca141@posting.google.com...   
   > Two interesting quotes from Prez. Bush's speech:   
   > "We will begin the effort quickly, using existing programs and   
   > personnel.... We'll make steady progress, one mission, one voyage, one   
   > landing at a time."   
   >   
   > Assuming an incremental approach, even if the grand program (new   
   > vehicle and eventual Mars landing) falls by the wayside, what small,   
   > initial steps can be taken before political momentum fades?   
   >   
   > I suggest we:   
   > 1) Use an existing rover design, tweaked slightly to allow   
   > teleoperation from Earth;   
   > 2) Design a lander to take the rover from lunar orbit to the lunar   
   > surface, maybe a solid rocket motor to slow it down and an airbag   
   > system for actual landing;   
   > 3) launch it on a Delta II;   
   > 4) Once on the Moon, use the rover to explore possible lava tube   
   > sites.  A simple and inexpensive inflatable structure can be quickly   
   > set up later in a lava tube since the structure will only have to   
   > retain air pressure, while the lava tube itslf will provide meteor,   
   > radiation, and thermal protection.  See   
   > http://www.halien.com/TAS/Gallery/apollo/ for a nice picture of   
   > Aristarchus crater (at lower right).  Notice the rille/valley to the   
   > left of the 25 mile diameter crater with the possible remaining intact   
   > section of lava tube;   
   > 5) Use a similar rover (one with the spectrometer capability of the   
   > Mars Rover) at the lunar poles to search for ice/hydrated minerals.   
   >   
   > Any reason this couldn't be done within a year or two?  Then, even if   
   > Bush's particular iteration of the perennial Moon-Mars Vision falters,   
   > we'd at least have useful data to plan the next iteration.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)