The Ice on the Moon is Better

News articles on the Telegraph web site since February this year, found in the cool relations between Russia and the United States, hint, and the possibility of a new Cold War in space. Adrian Blomfield in the piece, "Russia sees the moon, NASA plans to land" for the reports that Russian officials claim their country, show that the United States to participate in joint efforts Rebuffo moon.

Why?

Because. Ice on the Moon better.

And why not?

While it is easy to imagine the Star Wars Cantina this odd comment (in subtitles), the real reason that, assuming there is ice there, it is necessary, as the Earth's ice, brimful of the isotope of helium called helium 3rd

A large supply of helium 3 - rare on Earth but abundant in space - at the same time as another Unperfect fusion technology, can provide effective and appropriate source of energy, a clean alternative to fossil fuel energy famine on the earth.

Russia's claim that the United States wants to control.

From the article:

... Many of the Space Program Moscow think Washington wants to promote the lunar calendar Monopole helium-3 extraction. They argued that President Bush has moved helium-3 experts in key positions in the NASA Advisory Council.

Plot, says Erik Galimov, an academic with the Russian Academy of Sciences, would "enable the U.S. to impose control in the energy market 20 years from now, and the Council on his knees as hydrocarbons in the end."

If you look below the surface, these comments echo empty unsuccesfully, bellicose accusations Soviet-era propaganda rhetoric.

If you were a Russian, I am not proud that my part of the Soviet heritage.

The lynch pin in this argument is for the successful implementation of a nuclear fusion reactor. Although there were significant achievements in fusion research, opinions differ, the work of thermonuclear reactor possible. The reality is that it is still not possible, it is not possible to predict when it will be.

And, of course: it is the ice on the Moon?

As in most other news Bombarda the western world, I heard the amazing discovery of what was interpreted as water ice at the lunar poles, in accordance with the Navy, the Clementine satellite. For each, but the interest in space flight, when the obvious possibility - the supply of water by hand and settlers with oxygen and hydrogen energy missile returning to Earth. Will be held elsewhere.

Then, the radio astronomy was a multitude of candy in our mouth when it decided that the assumption that the detection method, Clementine, is incorrect.

This was followed by the Lunar prospector, who has followed several challenges and assumptions used in the detection methodology.

(And ... and back. ... And back and forth).

Almost seems as if the scientific community agrees on the lunar ice, if it landed in the White House lawn.

If at a later date.

(Oops, sorry ... I'm thinking about something else.)

Excellent, though somewhat technical discussion of these issues is presented in a planetary scientist Paul Potatoes "Space article" Ice on the Moon. "

His reply? A definite maybe.

Unresolved dispute on the existence or non existence of lunar ice background of rising tensions in the global clean energy, it can offer, is hauntingly on the subject, David S. Michaels and me. Two of the three stories of our new Red Moon is set near future, in 2019, and the dispute over the existence of lunar ice - and the desire for control over the use of all existing helium 3 as an energy source - the inclusion of these good stories.

Prophetic?

(Ehhhh ... it shall not be carried away.)

Although the red moon, the hero, the expected search "mother sediment" of ice on the Moon called in our history, raises interesting questions, particularly in the position, we wanted our characters to find him.

Accepted wisdom about the best place to find ice on the Moon, on poles and on the crater floor, where the sun can not reach. If you would like to about 13 degrees north latitude - only 200 km north of the equator the moon - to what is known as the Mare Crisium, Sea crisis.

No misty crater floors there.

To achieve the "willing suspension of disbelief" of readers (some of which may air professionals working in the company, which has led us in the first place), we have for our home. Even at the beginning of knowledge, learn how to start, when it came to the lunar and planetary geology (which is called "astrogeology), you actually something better. Dave has been a consultant.

Dave from the "friends and partners in the Space" list, and this list has developed contacts with a number of space experts. And I found just the person we need to: David M. Harland.

Dr Harland, who has a doctorate in computer science and BS in astronomy, is undoubtedly one of the main - if not the key - the space historian and the world. He is the author of a large stack of books (published on my cat, down half a page), including the Exploring the Moon: The Apollo Expedition and Jupiter Odyssey: NASA Galileo mission. In addition to helping us in this problem to lunar geology, Dr. Harland early projects as Red Moon, and if you need guidance and adjustment, especially regarding the environment and lunar geology.