MONETIZING THE MOON

(Note: We know we did a story about this company recently, but this one has a different angle.)
A company called Moon Express is racing to be the first private company to send a vehicle to the moon, in order to claim prize money. But the company has bigger plans. During an interview on the FOX Business Network, co-founder and chairman Naveen Jain outlined the company’s plan to monetize the moon. “To rephrase John F. Kennedy, we chose to go to the moon not because it’s easy but because it’s a good business. And what makes it a good business is that there are $16 quadrillion worth of minerals on the moon. The cost of going to the moon used to be billions of dollars, now the cost of our mission to the moon is going to be under $10 million,” he explained. Moon Express just became the first private company given permission by the U.S. government to leave the Earth’s orbit and go to the moon. “Not only is it a great business, but we can bring back Helium 3, an isotope of helium that has no radioactive activity, which means it can power this planet for generations to come. But even more importantly, the moon has water, which is hydrogen and oxygen. That means rocket fuel and a fuel for humanity.”
* And money. Moon money. Mooney money.
* Gee, when you put it that way, we can’t afford not to go to the moon.
* Should we ask how they plan to launch billions of tons of minerals from the moon and get them back to Earth without them burning up … or just wait ’til their whole plan fails?
* This idea has more holes than a Mission Impossible movie plot.
* I’ve heard that tone before. In late night infomercials.
* It gets even better: In addition to the minerals on the moon, the company is also offering a free set of steak knives.
* Wow, can you imagine if you just turned on your radio when I said that.
* Helium 3? Even the elements are doing sequels now.
* Helium 3 is extra fun, ’cause it floats three times as much.