orbit but why is no one bothering to see if we can get resources from the moon to reduce our space exploration costs? If we can get access to water we have access to fuels for starters and proof of there being water there has been observed. If we can find ores we can smelter out metals. If we can get metals we can mix metals and build with those materials. And who knows what low gravity smelting experimenting might provide in creating new materials. Who knows what new materials we might find mixing materials that do not remain mixed in our gravity long enough to solidify but might if mixed in a lower gravity. The other projects will not provide enough practical information to advance our scientific understanding and the advancement of our race in any meaningful way at present. The results from the many more types of scientific experimenting we can do on the moon make the other projects pale in comparison. Can you imagine the scientific advancements that will occur just to engage in this experimenting let alone that can come from the results of the experiments? Lucien #44 I agree with the sentiment here -- i.e. we should be building advanced propulsion systems for a manned Mars mission. But it's just not technically feasible at present, and probably not for decades - for the following reasons: (i) The technology for nuclear propulsion is at an early development stage only. The much publicised NERVA program was in