Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to Re: Professor promotes moon power

Something is worth only what someone is willing to pay

First, it currently costs several thousand dollars per pound to put something into LEO. Putting a pound of something on the moon is much more expensive due to the higher energy requirements and the need for the landing hardware. A given booster capable of putting say 10,000 pounds into LEO might only be able to land 1,000 pounds or less on the moon. The rest will be used by the extra propellant needed to boost the vehicle into TLI then slow it down to land plus the extra rocket motors, guidance systems, landing gear, etc.

Second, you could put 1,000 pounds of whatever on the moon and it'll be worth only what someone is willing to pay for it. Since at present there is no market on the moon, the stuff you put on the moon has zero value. Space really isn't an "if you build it, they will come" market. They will only come if there's a scientific or business need to do so. Anything else is a pipedream.

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