The Moon could be a "beautiful" source of minerals and energy, a top Chinese scientist has told the BBC.

Exotic materials including helium-3 and the potential for solar power could prove invaluable for humankind, "The Moon is also "so rich" in helium-3, which is a possible fuel for nuclear fusion, that this could "solve human beings' energy demand for around 10,000 years at least"

There were three motivations behind the drive to investigate the Moon.

"First, to develop our technology because lunar exploration requires many types of technology, including communications, computers, all kinds of IT skills and the use of different kinds of materials. This is the key reason," he told BBC News.

"Second, in terms of the science, besides Earth we also need to know our brothers and sisters like the Moon, its origin and evolution and then from that we can know about our Earth.

"Third, in terms of the talents, China needs its own intellectual team who can explore the whole lunar and solar system - that is also our main purpose."

After the first two Chang'e craft orbited the Moon, the next two missions will try to land on it and the following two will attempt to bring samples back to Earth.

Manned expeditions will then take place, according to Prof Ouyang.

"After all of this work, which is that China can make the achievement of arriving at the Moon and safely landing and that we can bring samples back; and once we finish all these unmanned projects, we will send Man there."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/25141597

Jade rabbit lands http://www.bbc.co.uk/new...nce-environment-25384057

Extraterrestrial economy, I agree we should "partner" with them even tho we will have nothing to offer at this stage. Another thing....what if the Chinese prove that the rock that the Americans sent to us was fake? The collection of samples is a clear indication that they dont believe them Ha ha... Am watching this keenly

Is There is oil on the moon?

I think they are ambitious enough to have the idea of migrating some of their population to the moon





If they carry a mass of whatever to the moon prior to leaving earth then dump it on the moon and carry the weight of their desired substance equivalent to what they dumped then head back to earth your foreseen problem would have been solved.
This whole moon expedition doesn't look economically viable to me

Just cementing their place as a major world power. Research and such expeditions are often just for show.