Congressional Testimony of Paul D. Spudis: Lunar Science & Resources: Future Options | SpaceRef - Your Space Reference: "STATUS REPORT
Date Released: Friday, April 02, 2004
Source: House Science Committee
Congressional Testimony of Paul D. Spudis: Lunar Science & Resources: Future Options
Dr. Paul D. Spudis
Planetary Scientist
April 1, 2004
Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, thank you for inviting me here today to testify on the subject of lunar science, resources, and the US space program.
Recently, President Bush articulated a new strategic direction for America in space, one that includes a return to the Moon and the development and use of off-planet resources. Although we conducted our initial visits to that body over 30 years ago, we have recently made several important discoveries that indicate a return to the Moon offers many advantages and benefits to the nation. In addition to being a scientifically rich object for study, the Moon offers abundant material and energy resources, the feedstock of an industrial space infrastructure. Once established, such an infrastructure will revolutionize space travel, assuring us of continuous, routine access to cislunar space (i.e., the space between and around Earth and Moon) and beyond. The value of the Moon as a space destination has not escaped the notice of other countries - at least four new robotic missions are currently being flown or prepared for flight by Europe, India, Japan, and China and advanced planning for human missions in many of these countries is already underway. Additionally, at least two of these future planned missions (India and China) have advanced their launch dates considerably within the last month, indicating that these nations recognize both the importance and value of the Moon and the urgency of establishing a presence there"

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