Aerospace Entrepreneur/Motelier Robert Bigelow Thinks the Chinese Will Take Over the Moon

Why don't you carry that sentiment while the PRC continues to hack our national defense network.

I think skepticism at this point is borderline denial.

yes they will take over the moon if we don't learn to share with others. they only way humanity will survive and thrive in space is if we agree to set aside our differences. if not then we will never get there.

_________________
The people of the world only divide into two kinds, One sort with brains who hold no religion, The other with religion and no brain.

- Abu-al-Ala al-Marri

When will the Chinese Pizza Hut be built on the moon? Wasn't that propose some POPSCI articles ago or am I confusing my past POPSCI articles?

This is a smart move by R.Bigelow. He's trumping up fear, maybe for funding. Or maybe to get the west interested in going to the moon. Either way as the head of a revolutionary company it's his job to stir up controversy.

Humans are vulnerable enough on earth. A battle in space or on the moon would be useless. Everyone would die with little effort in an outer space battle. So how could anyone stake a claim on the moon and have the ability to keep that claim?

Maybe Robert Bigelow has been eating too much Mooncake, which is adored by Chinese. The Chinese traditionally served this snack during the Moon or Mid-Autumn Festival.

Here is a link for its recipe:
http://chinesefood.about.com/od/foodfestivals/r/mooncakes.htm

I think this sugar in the Mooncake has gone to Robert Bigelow head and once he comes down from his sugar high, he will feel better.

I especially like the part about "10% of the defense budget"... we need another space race, asap.

They were given two days to surrender they counted and did. The alignment to the island is perfect but they didn’t notice it, and didn’t notice how. Is it too late?

Long ago, in a galaxy far far away...............

If the Chinese (The Empire) want to concentrate their efforts developing the moon (shhhhh, Death Star!!!!) Let them. We (the Rebels) are powerless to prevent it at the moment. However.......we all know how this story ends!

@ Jedimindset

Please recall that America did not NEED to work with anyone to get to the moon in the 1960´s…over 40 years ago.

America is the world’s largest economy and is blessed with abundant natural, intellectual and financial resources.

However, when these resources are not applied to moving the country forward AS a country and the citizens concern themselves more with their own individual comfort instead of securing their lead over the other countries in the world for the next generation, it is not surprising to see a decrease in capability.

A long time ago I remember hearing said that the fall of the Roman Empire began when the women stopped telling the men “Either come home carrying your shield or being carried on it.” I understand what this means fully now and, unfortunately, I am witness to history repeating itself.

The death of America doesn't mean the end of the world, if and when it were to happen. What we need is one nation of Humans on Planet Earth. Then once we colonize other planets, and meet friendly alien species, we will need a "United Federation of Planets"...just like in Star Trek. This seperate nation and country b.s. leads us nowhere....because you have one country doing all the work....but sadly it has to be this way since the world isn't ready yet to become one nation of humans...there are just too many differences and beliefs.

We USA Americans have a gigantic looming goal right in front of our faces. First we need to deal with our lack of leadership in our government. Our leaders are just eager to please, tell us what we want to hear and we have run down a path of financial irresponsibility. None of these leaders have the courage to face and deliver the tuff choices to the American public for fear of the back lash.

Second, we need to our dirty ways of making energy. We are killing the environment, our land, water and air. This is a slow cancer that will take an extreme amount of time to full fill its course and so everyone stays oblivious to the problem. Yes, the problem is an earth changing one and can kill 90% of those on planet earth.

Oh we do have goal, good goals for the USA American Citizens. There are there. We just need to act.

@matsci
you stole that from 300, spartans not equal to romans.

Don't worry everyone we have nothing to fear, at least fro now, because to reach the moon you have to overcome the 'intense' amount of radiation, we need force fields to counteract the radiation. this is why the moon race was a lie........

Americans went to the moon because of Von Braun's rocket technology which he developed for and in Nazi Germany. An interesting fact that people are quick to forget. So, sure, Americans did it all by themseves, lol! There is nothing more ignorant than patriotism, no matter what side you're from. I get a good chuckle at how Americans are shaking in their pants about the Chinese. Inventing and discussing paranoid conspiracies, putting a spin on any development they make. If the USA, Russia, etc has a stealth jet, then why do you cry when they develop thier own. It's their right. When they slap together a crappy aircraft carrier, all of a sudden they're gearing up for war. Please. Accepting the possible if not inevitable, where China is an equal or MORE advanced/powerful country is just a pill we might have to swallow. How can a country of 1.5 billion, where people force and stress for their childrent to go to school and perform well, Where educated people and top students are admired by all, how can this country not advance faster and then beyond the western world? So instead of fear mongering and sabre rattling, wouldnt it just be best to get along, based on a policy of mutual respect. As far as cyber spying and stuff like that, you dont think the USA is doing the same on China? Again I make my claim, Patriotism is a form of ignorance, wherein reason, fairness, and respect for others is the first thing that goes out the window.

Tom91,
A great part of the USA American society is our family of immigrants. Yes, some of these immigrants do come from Germany as well as other countries. Once they process Legally into our society, they do become our family and we together as a Nation do take ownership for all our achievements as a Family!

@Tom91

Patriotism is a byproduct of love for your home. You wouldn't be saying that if you were talking about someone else's personal home parents, siblings, and offspring, let alone your own. Patriotism, used right, is a concept of family and home.

--
On that note, it is a sentiment this generation of the U.S. (and many Western Europe nations for that matter) disregard for personal pleasure, status, and triumph. Everyone's all about land and national will if it serves them first.

Nation's like China do not have this problem yet, so they are progressing at a rate similar to Russia and the U.S. during the 1950s to 1970s. Eventually when political reform and economic prosperity dominates their culture they will meet the same fate as every other powerful nation that has come to pass and exist now. They are no different.

Everyone thinks the future is going to resemble the Gene Rodenberry vision. The problem is everyone overlooks the inconsistencies with such a future, as it cuts out the primary influences embedded in our existence through time and tradition that just will not die as long as humans on this planet exist.

What people do not realize is that in the form of the U.N. and other international organizations that collaborate on a global level, the world is united. It's been that way following the Second World War, otherwise we would have succeeded in destablizing humanity to a point of setting us back to the bronze age (or stone age).

Rodenberry's vision is a dream. It's a dream that in some part we are living today, just not in the picture perfect fairytale for the children fantasy way we want it to be. If we want to work together on something worldwide we will, if it's of use to the parties in participation (International Space Station anyone?).

As for China taking over the moon, if there is any indication that their intention is to back away from an internationally ratified treaty on global space policy, they would suffer the wrath of the entire free world if they ever tried to lay sole proprietary claim to another world.

The only way we'll conquer any world is if we do it with international agreement. Unnilateral maneuvers that work against any other nation will spell disaster for the lone actor. The same goes for the U.S. and Russia, our pioneers of future dreams.

Well lets see--Russia planted a flag under the Artic ice and claims all of it for themselves as an extension of their continental shelf.

By the same claim USA planted a flag first on the Moon so then USA should own the entire moon right?

China would then be trespassing and be subject to fines if it persists in colonizing the moon.

It's all ridiculous of course.

@matsci1,

like Tom91 said, we did have help from the outside. but than again the "ex" nazis didn't really have a chose lol. and Patriotism is misleading and sometimes hateful. i just hate it i hear a ignorant american say on the news, "we should just bomb them people!". makes me sad to be an amiercan sometimes.

_________________
The people of the world only divide into two kinds, One sort with brains who hold no religion, The other with religion and no brain.

- Abu-al-Ala al-Marri

gizmowiz,
I think your comments are excellent!

JediMindset,
Your comment, "...i just hate it i hear a ignorant American say on the news, "we should just bomb them people!". makes me sad to be an american sometimes..." Just confirms somewhat I said earlier. We are all family. We share in each other accomplishments and yes we feel shame or regret when a few Americans act badly too. As a Democracy we are all in this together and need to work together for our Freedom. Our maturity as a society does at times wonder here and there. Then it's Free Speech that alerts us to our misguided direction. As humans are not perfect, no government system is perfect either. But I feel our system of government is the best in the world!

In this case, to speculate that China will annex the moon, is rather silly. Agreed that they might develop the technological know how to visit the moon or maybe even mars, but apart from that... As science enthusiasts, shouldnt we in fact encourage them and not shoot them down? If we are envious of their accomplishments then maybe we should try better. Or better yet, why assume that this must be some kind of competition? What if we pool our resources, god knows most of china's money comes from goods exported to teh western world anyways. But no, we gotta have a space race based on fear, like the one with USSR. Is this the only kind of motivation that US politician know? I would say yes. Fear, real, manufactured, or imagined seems to be the only motivation. Which is sad for the scientific community. So in that respect, I agree!!, the Chinese will be our new overlords, barking orders at us from the moon!

@Tom91

Competition drives the human will to achieve progression. Some people work harder than others because they want to stand out for being better. The people that don't think they can ever stack up do what they need just to get by. The rest work harder to stack up to the ones at the head of the pack. We need competition to motivate people to achieve rather than stagnate.

I'm all for China going to the moon. I'm not for anyone claiming proprietorship over space if it is not in the name of the people of Earth.

We need to keep what we go to war over terrestrial. Save space based warfare for the critters or gadgets that might come here to kick our asses.

The U.S. just needs to step its game up. If this new SLS concept is meant to get us out there, then there need not be a deviation in the plan. Our problem is we tend to change directions everytime the wind shifts. The boat needs a rudder and an engine to steer her. Sails just won't do.

The chinease won't takeover shit!

theres one thing to remember American RAW power. I will do anything to ensure america remains #1 and so will all my fellow americans and american like-minded individuals.

Survival of the fittest

chintok can dream but hell only get what we give him..

Another reason the Chinese has no reason to dominate the moon. Most of the Chinese people do not like cheese and as everyone knows, the moon is made of cheese.

This is much ado, about nothing.

Still, they may try to put a Chinese Pizza Hutt on the moon and sell pizza to use hungry Americans as we settle on the moon. We sure do love our cheesy pizza!

They claim possession of Taiwan against the ruling of every other nation on Earth. I wouldn't put something like this past them.

October 20th 2011: Plan for a Sustainable Lunar Base

http://365daysofastronomy.org/2011/10/20/october-20th-plan-for-a-sustainable-lunar-base/

China will only take what we concede to them in space. We have the skills to do whatever we want. But, do we have the will? JFK said it like it is; "We choose to go to the moon not because it is easy. We choose to go because it is hard." I was a part of the Apollow team. It was hard but we did it. We worked long hard hours and proved to ourselves that if you are learning while you are doing, you are on top of things. We can do it again but, do the young people of our country have the will?

How in the world did I put that "W" on Apollo? I apologize.

hickory,
Perhaps you were channeling Elmer Fudd and had sudden over power mental possession with an outer world projection to been a Looney Tune? And since the moon can be on occasion lunar, I can see how you cross channel this.

@ Lanredneck

“@matsci
you stole that from 300, spartans not equal to romans. “

How could you say I “Stole” that phrase when I said that I heard it a long time ago? I never claimed to have invented it.

Also, are you sure it was the Spartans that this was said about and not the decline of the Roman Empire?

hmmm... doesn't it make sense that if China or any other nation for that matter, were to start mining the moon... removing large amounts of mass from it, that the gravitational pull of the earth might possibly pull the moon into ourselves... Food for Thought

@Tom91
Yes you are most correct in that America would not have reached the moon in the time frame that it did if it was not for Werner Von Braun and his team of German scientists.

What I mean by America did not NEED anyone to get to the moon is that the leadership at that time was focusing enough of the country’s resources on the project so that America did not have to go around looking for outside assistance to accomplish the mission.

The Apollo project was an incredibly huge undertaking but it was accomplished. I was 4 years old at the time and do not remember all the detail. However, I can remember a little bit about the exhilaration that seemed to be everywhere due to this event. Even though I only have a vague memory of it, I can´t recall an event since then that was such a cause for jubilation across the country.

As to your statement “There is nothing more ignorant than patriotism”…I disagree very strongly. Also I am not sure what your definition of patriotism is when you write:

“Again I make my claim, Patriotism is a form of ignorance, wherein reason, fairness, and respect for others is the first thing that goes out the window.”

I think if you talk to different people about a controversial event you will get various perspectives about what “Fair” is.

Is showing “respect for others” not objecting to and allowing their actions that are damaging and/or disturbing to you to continue because you do not want to “Offend” them?

Reason? To me “Reason” seems to be something that is not 100% objective. What is “Reasonable” to one person may not be to another.

There are those that can make poetic song and intelligent words, but when the time comes to stand firm for what they believe in they cannot be found.

Then, there are those of strong inner fiber, a soul of steal. They may even be afraid of the situation, but they sincerely know what is right and wrong and are willing to stand up for what they believe in.

I am a veteran and for those who fight and stand in battle or times of war are Patriots!

This place has become a frigging looney bin

Last year, the Chinese tested the Shenlong space plane which will probably be in operation within the next five years. That will put them farther in space transportation technology than we ever were . . . and we have backslided.

It would be fantastic to engineer a possibility to land the ISS on the surface of the moon, rather is send it to a fiery death in our atmosphere. Perhaps more structure could be added to the ISS and landing gear and so on, to allow it to land on the moon. Of course this maybe more of a wish and fantasy for me to keep ISS alive, since the ISS was never design in this manner.

Perhaps put the ISS in an orbit around the moon and uses it as in-between for developing a moon base as well.

China barely managed to purchase jet fighter technology from russians yet russians did not reveal them their jet engine secrets which still chinese jet fighters have major serious problems in the engines. If they could not figure our jet fighter tech then how in magic land they would figure out sending even chimp to the moon?!

Once upon a time... "an idealist" with lots of financial funds thought he could expand his vision across the world. However, with tons of cash to throw away... and his fabulous dreams of conquering his unknown, he eventually... only found "The Truth." For neither upon the moon, nor any other rock of this worlds great antiquity... could he find what he truly sought. It was all...only star dust in disguise!

Gary Mansfield, F.I.

here we go with "Star Wars"

I see Bigelow's position as at least semi-reasonable, but in the end, it IS an assumption on his part. I do think that China wants a permanent lunar base, but then so do most nations. It would be great to be able to anchor asteroids there to mine them; and we'd be able to quarantine questionable materials that we bring from other places there. To be alarmist about China 'taking over' the moon is foolish though, IMO. Now if some group of billionaires started banding together and buying up all of the associated technologies and resources that Mr Bigelow just plain wishes he had at his disposal? That would be much more evidence to draw inferences from. Eventually, there will have to be a world symposium where we decide who gets to do what and where as applies to the moon, because there are areas of better real estate for doing things like anchoring asteroids, or for mining, or for manufacturing, production, and processing. Same for lunar hotels or 'moorage'. Even long-term storage.

@quasi44

Recent events of the PRC's hacking exploits into other nations' private and public industries suggests they are trying to get away with nefarious action that will help to elevate the country's international status.

If they could take over the moon they could. Our nation is no different. What makes this unlikely is all are accountable for their actions to the rest of the world, and one unnilateral actor can not stand successfully against the rest of the world. Neither does anyone have the stomach for such conflict.

I wouldn't put it past China to break away from the Outer Space Treaty in hopes of weaponized systems used to deter the non-weaponized military assets of other developed nations and to stake claims on terrestrial surfaces. Especially if they had the military might (and sufficient international support to back them up) to stand against which ever nations had a problem with their actions.

The key to deter any one nation from doing this is to have all space faring nations accountable to a global law. Any one nation going against the parameters of such a charter would be subject to sanctions, trade embargos, and or military action from the international community.

Now this would be an example of the world coming together.