The reason a moon colony hasn’t been built is because there is a damn treaty that prevents nations from exploiting space for monetary gain. And incredibly enough, there is money to be made in space.
One near earth asteroid, rich in platinum-group-metals (important in manufacturing hi-tech electronics), is equal in worth to the entire planet’s gross annual product. That is TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS!
Google: asteroid mining
G.Harry Stine’s book, The Third Industrial Revolution (1975)
As you can see, this is not a recent idea. It has been around for decades. We’ve had the technology to mine, smelt, and manufacture in space for quite some time.
The Chinese will be first to crap on the treaty with the Russians following suit.
International corporations have hundreds of billions of dollars stashed overseas (avoiding our capital gains taxes) they can invest on such a risky venture. The United States must make the first move and we won’t have to shell out big bucks, either. We should facilitate this, or the Chinese will do it.
Just saw a headline very recently on China and space warfare. Didn’t read it, but get the picture, so enough said against Newt’s remarks on space exploration, I’m certain.
It’s amazing what Newt “gets”! To repeat, also, Newt said NASA’s future would be funded 80%-90% with private money.
This mind and intellect of his just can not be relegated to the ash heap of politics, rent by socialist contenders and Marxists fighting for take-over of America. Can it?