Mining Rare Minerals on the Moon for National Security?

[BlairJ]

Regarding "Is Mining Rare Minerals on the Moon Vital to National Security?"
http://feeds.space.com/~r/spacehead...oon-mining-rare-elements-security-101004.html
by Leonard David, SPACE.com's Space Insider Columnist posted 04 October 2010 08:10 am ET:

The resources on the moon should belong to all the people of earth, and should be used to benefit mankind while at the same time rewarding the expense of going there and extracting the resources. It should not be a case of resources going solely to those countries or corporations that can afford to get there and grab first for their own priorities. It is especially troubling to me that resources from the moon might be used for "national security" purposes, which could very well include warfare back on earth.

Developing the processes for extraction of these resources should be an exercise in cooperation, not greed and preemption.

 

[oldAtlas_Eguy]

Regarding "Is Mining Rare Minerals on the Moon Vital to National Security?"
http://feeds.space.com/~r/spacehead...oon-mining-rare-elements-security-101004.html
by Leonard David, SPACE.com's Space Insider Columnist posted 04 October 2010 08:10 am ET:

The resources on the moon should belong to all the people of earth, and should be used to benefit mankind while at the same time rewarding the expense of going there and extracting the resources. It should not be a case of resources going solely to those countries or corporations that can afford to get there and grab first for their own priorities. It is especially troubling to me that resources from the moon might be used for "national security" purposes, which could very well include warfare back on earth.

Developing the processes for extraction of these resources should be an exercise in cooperation, not greed and preemption.

One of the problems of when resources become scarce is wars usually start in order to obtain access to the resources. If the resources of the Moon were developed then this would help reduce the risk of war. I think the homesteading approach for resources on the Moon should apply: you can only lay claim to area/resource currently being developed/used, not the ones you have surveyed/explored.

 

[bdewoody]

Regarding "Is Mining Rare Minerals on the Moon Vital to National Security?"
http://feeds.space.com/~r/spacehead...oon-mining-rare-elements-security-101004.html
by Leonard David, SPACE.com's Space Insider Columnist posted 04 October 2010 08:10 am ET:

The resources on the moon should belong to all the people of earth, and should be used to benefit mankind while at the same time rewarding the expense of going there and extracting the resources. It should not be a case of resources going solely to those countries or corporations that can afford to get there and grab first for their own priorities. It is especially troubling to me that resources from the moon might be used for "national security" purposes, which could very well include warfare back on earth.

Developing the processes for extraction of these resources should be an exercise in cooperation, not greed and preemption.

When, in the history of the human race has that ever happened? Well guess what, it won't happen when the resources of the moon are being exploited. Those who are willing to spend the money and take the risks won't be inclined to share the spoils with the rest of the world. Sell them maybe, share them never.