Returning to the moon: The Economist Debate

By Natasha Loder, Moderator, Posted 08/20/09

Link: http://www.economist.com/debate/days/view/358

Natasha Loder moderates this Economist-sponsored debate titled, Returning to the Moon with the proposition that "This House should not send humans back to the Moon". Mike Gold, Director of the Washington, DC Office and Corporate Counsel for Bigelow Aerospace defends the motion. Gregg Maryniak, Director, James S. McDonnell Planetarium and VP, Energy and Aerospace, Saint Louis Science Centre is against the motion. Actually, Gold argues for returning to the moon utilizing commercial space sector capabilities and Maryniak argues for NASA returning to the moon but teamed with the commercial space sector. Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX President and Patti Grace Smith Aerospace Consultant and Former FAA Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation provide their postions, as guests of the debate.  About 120 people provided commentary on the arguments.  Check out the results by clicking the Summary box and get Loder's  interesting summing up.  This is a great way to get high-quality public input on a space-related challenge.