Exploiting the Moon and saving the Earth
by Jeff Foust
Monday, November 7, 2005

There has been a lot of debate in recent months regarding how to return to the Moon, and especially since the release of NASA’s Exploration Systems Architecture Study (ESAS) in September. Less has been said, though, about what people and/or robots will do once they get there. Not that there’s any shortage of ideas: from studying lunar geology and using it as a platform for astronomy to establishing tourist resorts and a separate home for humanity beyond the Earth. None of those ideas, though, has managed yet to resonate with the public.

The reat is here: http://www.thespacereview.com/article/490/1