China goes to space

[Winner]

And then take the American flag back to earth and display it in a museum in Beijing !

That would start WW3, surely

 

[Traitorfish]

That would start WW3, surely

Or reinvigorate the American space program.

 

[Blue Emu]

The point I am trying to make, is that the advantages the moon offers for such projects are minor...

Radio astronomy?

The Earth puts out nearly as much radio flux as a star. Located at the center of the far side of the Moon, a radio telescope would be shielded from that radio noise by the bulk of the Moon itself. For much of the month (from just after first quarter through full Moon to nearly last quarter) it would also be shielded from the Sun's radio noise, and also from the random jitters caused by incident sunlight and the solar wind.

What would that do for the signal-to-noise ratio of the instrument? Is there another spot within reach of our rockets that could offer us a superior location for a radio telescope?

 

[Patroklos]

That would be cool, but far beyond any capability we will have in the next half century. The Webb is the proper avenue to be following now.

 

[TheLastOne36]

I really want to see a picture of a Chinese flag planted right next to the American flag on the moon. And the reactions of various far-right American public figures.

And make that on a higher pole! They'd go nuts. And so would the chinese celebrating. Fun fun fun all wound for those of us watching the spat!

And then take the American flag back to earth and display it in a museum in Beijing !

That would be fantastic.

That would start WW3, surely

Maybe. Preferably it would start a space race between USA and China. Hopefully by then Europe is out of the dumps economically as well and can join in as a third party along with Russia?

 

[GamezRule]

Somehow I see this as forcing people to accept higher taxes in the USA.

 

[GoodSarmatian]

Maybe. Preferably it would start a space race between USA and China.

Or it would devolve into a very expensive game of capture the flag.

Hopefully by then Europe is out of the dumps economically as well and can join in as a third party along with Russia?

We could launch a mission to Mars while the Americans and Chinese are busy taking turns to go to the moon and steal pieces of cloth.

 

[El_Machinae]

You know, it would have a tremendous opportunity for creating a friendly rivalry. But it could also go horribly wrong for international relations. I wonder how it could be done properly?

 

[GamezRule]

"Friendly rivalry" can easily divulge into "cold war."

 

[Crezth]

And then take the American flag back to earth and display it in a museum in Beijing !

I really want this to happen.