Colonization of Space, Luna, and Mars in the next 20 years.

You said: "You say that like it's a fact. Scientists have not been able to agree on how our moon was actually formed and there are several different theories. Until we do a little more research and visit the moon again, there's no real way to know for sure." You're right that there are several theories, but there are several theories for just about everything. Creationism and geocentricity are both "theories." The theory I referenced is by far the most scientifically accepted, and the one with the most evidence to back it up. Given that, I have every reason to believe that there are very few resources on the moon. You said: "That being said, there are several resources on the moon." You originally referenced moon-resources when you were talking about constructing a colony. The moon would have to have an array of resources similar to those of Earth if we were actually intending on using its resources to fully construct a colony. Not to mention the fact that these resources would have to be present in copious amounts. You said: "That statement is false. The moon does indeed have an atmosphere, but it is so thin that ships wouldn't risk burning up when leaving the moon or landing on it. Ships constructed on Earth need a lot more considerations." It's so thin as to be considered negligible for all intents and purposes, not just for landing and launching ships. I'll get back to atmosphere a bit later in this argument. You said: "As for speed, the larger the ship the more thrust it could have." The more thrust a ship has, the more (and more powerful) fuel it needs. I'm not saying it would be impossible, I'm just saying that I'm not aware of any breakthroughs that would suggest the 20-year timeline you originally put forth. You said: "a forest and some crops should help with that." First of all, a forest and crops would require water, which you've already acknowledged is a problem. Secondly, forests and crops don't grow in anything - they grow in nutrient-rich soil. The surface of the moon is rocky and hard. Finally, you assume a forest on the moon could produce oxygen. An atmosphere is required to keep that oxygen around long enough for it to be breathed by humans, and carbon dioxide is required for that oxygen to be produced in the first place. You said: "As for heat, I don't think that would be a very big problem at all. Along with the nuclear power, there could be solar panels gathering energy." Making energy requires initial energy to run the power plant, and a system of distribution, both of which I see being a huge problem on the moon. All of that being said, I'd like to add one more thing: In hypothesizing about colonizing space, I think one's imagination tends to take entirely too many things for granted. The majority of items used every day by people (pencils, silverware, toothbrushes, toilets, linens, lightbulbs, glass, plastic, etc.) are made from resources that are most likely either not found on the moon, or not found in sufficient quantities to refine and turn into products. I believe that if a colony on the moon were to exist, the vast majority of its everyday items would be imports from Earth.