NASA wants to put an asteroid around the moon | Emergency Preparedness | Forums

Sounds like NASA is looking for something to 'do' (and justify its existence)? Ive read enough (hard) sci-fi to know that while this is possible, its mainly a 'show' of potential, not direct use (beyond 'study' which is frankly over subsidized anyway).

I doubt is anyone remembers the short lived TV show - Salvage One (1970s), but it had to be an in-your-face reaction to NASA and its 'lofty' goals. Needless to say, the show didn't last long - politics?!?

IF there was ever a good reason for asteroid use, it would be to create 'space' living and working centers for humans. But seeing how humans can't even take care of dear old planet earth, the chances of them living in space are not high long term. Look at how the 'sealed' earth ships didn't make it and they had the 'back up' of immediate AIR by simply exiting those structures! Heck if man wants to 'explore and expand' why not shoot for ocean bottom development?? Again, at least one could escape to AIR (and not vacuum!) from such structures. Not quite a possibility from an asteroid .

Ideals are great 'targets', but if one isn't ready to go thru the work to get 'there' (and its realistic to boot), why drive energies towards a fantasy? There are MANY more happy making and useful alternatives - right here ON earth. (its not bad enough that humans are messing up their own environment, they want to move on and mess up the next?!?) Maybe NASA needs to come 'back to earth' and apply its brains and $$$ towards THIS 'place' first.

KVR said
I bet the new space mining laws have something to do with this

http://www.space.com.....gress.html

Sounds like the 'Alliance' (re Firefly) is already CLAIMING space. Talk about cart-before-the-horse mentality! There's such a thing as INCENTIVE, and not just for $$$$. To me this is like pissing on the kindling as one tries to light a fire . . . (sorry for crude example)