Return to the Moon: Mending Fences Between Exploration and Science

> From: Alex Michael Bonnici
> As space engineers hammer out a proposed lunar architecture,
> the call is coming for lunar scientists to aid in picking the
> best site for a base.

The problem is that manned explorers tend to not even notice when their
budgetary demands trample an important mission like JIMO underfoot - but the
scientists do, and don't forget.

Scientists have long made it clear that the best place for a permanant
outpost for lunar exploration is on Earth; controlling probes on the moon by
remote. With few exceptions most exploration can be done with the tens of
thousands of robotic probes the budget of a manned mission could pay for.

The main reason for humans to be on the moon is engineering, construction,
moving across fliffs and mountains (which *at present* they can do better
than robots), testing equipment for settlement, and/or testing what methods
are best at exploiting local materials for later return to Earth, GEO or L1.
Pointless and directionless manned space exploration is a waste of money
best spent on other scientific study.

John