Japan considers putting robot on moon

Sunday 08th March, 05:50 AM JST

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Sarge at 12:19 PM JST - 8th March

"to explore its natural resources"

Lessee... no air... no water... no oil... no coal... no gas... rocks! The moon's got rocks! Perhaps a certain group of people in the Middle East could use them...
Pukey2 at 12:19 PM JST - 8th March

It would be cheaper to hitch a ride on American ships.
Sarge at 01:32 PM JST - 8th March

"exploration of resources"

Ha, more like exploitation of the moon's resources! They think they're not going to have to pay the Moonians for the rocks?! Hey, how much could it possibly cost to import rocks from the moon?
cleo at 01:44 PM JST - 8th March

Hey, how much could it possibly cost to import rocks from the moon?

Only what it would cost to get your workers/robots up there in the first place. Then all they have to do is wait till nighttime and chuck the rocks towards the Earth. Gravity will do the rest.

Mmm. Maybe you'd also have to build a big skip to catch the rocks in.

;-)
telecasterplayer at 02:53 PM JST - 8th March

Assuming the world economy is going to allow a robot in 2020, why? We've rock a break, rocky landscape bereft of life and culture right here on earth. It's called "Utah".

Sarge:

They think they're not going to have to pay the Moonians for the rocks?!

I believe they're called "Mooninites". Ignignokt and Err.
flammenwerfer at 05:13 PM JST - 8th March

Well it seems there are not too many science buffs here, shame....the moon is very likely a rich source of helium 3: is a light, non-radioactive isotope of helium with two protons and one neutron, rare on Earth, sought for use in nuclear fusion research. Whoever can crack the that nut: safe controlled reliable nuclear fusion will have arguably made the most massive technological breakthrough in the history of humanity - The holy grail of energy production.

So it may seem madness, going to the moon to get rocks, but its not a short term venture, its paving the way for future generations. You have to start somewhere.
JustTheFacts at 05:22 PM JST - 8th March

I recently saw Asimo at miraikan in Tokyo. I was surprised just how much further ahead Japan is than the rest of the world, in terms of Robotics. Big dreams lead to big results, which Japan might well be able to sell to world. This won't be cheap, but will likely inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers... that is worth it's weight in moonrock! If anyone can pull this off, its Japan.
sf2k at 05:40 PM JST - 8th March

space development strategy task force, headed by Prime Minister Taro Aso

um...yeah.. without endless cashola any space project cannot function as there is no natural system no sustainable action. It's space! You bring everything with you. Space is void, you can't develop it without creating another void! endless infinitely zero projects! Lets toss the condo developers on it and see what they can do, or is this in line with the Japanese space hotel too?

robot on the moon sounds quite useless. they want to mine helium3 there as a fuel but seriously if you wanted to save fuel you wouldn't go to the moon to begin with.

Meanwhile, back down on Earth, Japan imports 90% of its energy, and Aso couldn't plan a wedding let alone a space project. So who is going to fund the project? Middle East would have to fund it because that's where the fuel comes from.

Oh and there is a small matter of the Great Recession, paying bills, and generally living.

Must be a slow news day. But hey, let's give it up for space. Local Engineering news might be more interesting and certainly more useful.
Sarge at 06:19 PM JST - 8th March

"Aso couldn't plan a wedding let alone a space project"

Har!
Richard_the_First at 06:34 PM JST - 8th March

And Pachinko parlours to follow. 'Manned' by robots.
johancohen at 05:00 AM JST - 9th March

moon, gundam here we come.
airrunwesker at 06:19 AM JST - 9th March

Gundam! The early years! I just know one day I will go to Mars, and the first thing I will have to do is put down a malfunctioning NASA robot- which is, for some odd reason, obeying it's backup sub program to destroy all humans! :) But seriously, doesn't Aso have anything better to do with Japan's money right now?
ScottishThug at 06:33 AM JST - 9th March

there are no natural resources on the moon.
franz75 at 10:29 AM JST - 9th March

ScottishThug: Frist send robots then reply later
wanderlust at 02:28 PM JST - 10th March

JustTheFacts - Asimo has a huge support crew whenever it is wheeled out, who check the stage and floors to make sure that it can get around properly, and who then manage/ struture the event/ performance. If you saw the preparations and fuss that they make each time it is on display, you'd be less impressed with Japanese robotics.