Anything that would promote the comercialization of space is in the right direction. Granted until the per flight cost come down there will only be a select few that could afford to do so. Now if the size of the unit going to the moon was more like an add on to the command module. Then the more the better and cost would come done.

Part of this article talks about using the ISS as a stopping or transfer point. Which leads me to the use of the station by Nasa. In a recent article it appears that we want to staff the unit with more people as to allow for more science to be conducted.

A waste of space by Philip Ball
http://www.nature.com/news/2004/040719/full/040719-17.html

A superb article by Jeff Foust on The Space Review regarding Constellation Services Internationals proposal to send a Soyuz to the Moon. It’s just the kind of lateral thinking that’s required to get things moving....FAST.

I especially like the second idea of sending an unmanned progress vehicle to the L1 point to begin the building of a Lunar Space Station. How about using ESAs ISS resupply module of the Jules Vern type, in place of the progress for greater volume. Add to it better shielding and the ability to refuel and restock its oxygen supplies and when it has finished its mission at the ISS it can dock with a newly launched Solar Electric Propulsion Module and 6 way docking port adapter (and perhaps additional fuel). Then transfer the stack to L1 under SEP propulsion. From then on the Soyuz leaving the ISS at missions end can dock with a newly launched logistic module for transfer to L1 for a longer stay. The logistics module will probably need to be bigger than the one used for just a Lunar fly-by, or perhaps use two of them.

I know it’s probably not as simple task to undertake as written above, but if a second use can be found for used modules it can generate revenue for reinvestment and gradually increment the space infrastructure. Key to re-using the previously launched modules and spacecraft will be resupply of fuel and provisions. Here is where private enterprise companies like SpaceX will come to the fore.

Of course this proposal of CISs involves dumping used Lunar Transfer stages. How much better it would be if they bought in to the OASIS proposal/project.

http://www.spacex.com/

http://spacecraft.ssl.umd.edu/old_site/academics/484S03/oasis_docs/OASIS_FY01_FINAL.PDF

http://rasc.larc.nasa.gov/rasc_new/execsummary02/Presentations/OASIS_02/Presentations/OASIS_IAF.PPT

http://rasc.larc.nasa.gov/rasc_new/execsummary02/Presentations/OASIS_02/Presentations/oasis_512.avi

Andy: I like how you are thinking out of the Box but how can we get Nasa to implement such ideas.

The nations space programs right now can not purchase anything of the kind from Russia regardless of the price.

How can we get the private industry to go for such concepts?

Could we buy from our Eurpean freinds the Automated Transfer Vehicle or do we have that same issue as before?

I was specifically refering to CISs proposal. As I am from England I prefer to keep out of American politics. However It seems that NASAs teams are already at work of the new systems required for a Lunar return. To get private industry to go for such concepts, other companies apart from the usual suspects need to be allowed to bid for contracts - especially cargo launch systems. For manned launches, open out the contract to include the possibility of using Ariane. This threat may help to lower launch costs. Is there any reason why NASA can't offer direct assistance to the new private space companies, as Boeing and Lockheed have gained from NASA research over the last 40 years. NASA transfered transhab technology to Bigelow Aerospace and no one shouted foul! Did they?

When America and the Allies defeated Nazi Germany in 1945 they transfered German rocket technology to the US. Now with the end of the Cold War, why not transfer Russian technology to the US, albeit by buying it or licensing it. Of course the circumstances are quite different to 1945, but one reason why the US won the Cold War was the threat the Shuttle posed for launching and maintaining the proposed Star Wars systems. So it was a success in this regard. Now its China that is rising to challenge US economic interests. As they are not a mature democracy, or an immature one for that matter, there is always a danger that they could descend into militarism. I think this is one of the reasons behind the Presidents Exploration initative. Though not obviously a military program, implicit in it is the ability to maintain defensive and offensive assets in space and to survive any first strike. Once the new program is underway the US should invite the Chinese to visit the ISS, with the possibility of participating in it. It would help their modernisers to counter the more hawkish elements in their party and military.

I am a student wondering if you think in the early future space flight will be avalable to all people, will it be a common vacation, or will it be very expensive still? Also can you tell me some reqierments they may have before they went to space and would they be able to one day set foot on the moon and maybe even stay there. I hope you take time to answer thease queations I am very excited awating a response.