Earlier quoted context omitted.
There is a proposed study, but I can't say how much of the thinking behind that was because " the moon is cheap so lets think up a project involving that " and how much was because there's a serious gap in our knowledge that needs investigating. Anyhow, from the BBC article: > The mission will also have a scientific component. The aim is to drill and > analyse a sample from underneath the lunar surface, something whi…
I suspected as much. It doesn't sound like "value for money" which is my concern. There are better scientific objectives than shooting for the moon cold-war style to raise awareness and interest in it. Look how much attention everyone paid to Beagle 2 which had proper scientific objectives, that was until it tragically failed. RIP. Couldn't agree more with your last point; this country is tragically embroiled in cele…
I wonder how much of this initiative is a reaction to recent success at ESA. To the layman, ESA seems politically dominated by continental interests; and a couple of bigwigs seemed to take a swipe at "countries going alone" during Phileas celebrations.