# Moon exploration ###### tags: `thread` - The gravitational force of the Moon is about 1/6 of that of the Earth, so it is easier to achieve escape velocity by launching rockets on the Moon than on the Earth. It is highly likely that humans will build a space launch port on the Moon in the future. - In 1803 California was a wasteland. But after news of the discovery of gold in California in 1848 got out, a large number of speculators and pioneers poured in at speed, and the related industries surrounding the gold rush developed rapidly, and the former wasteland soon flourished. - Human exploration of space may follow a similar pattern when more and more people start "mining" for gold on the moon (such as rare earths and helium-3, which is useful in nuclear fusion). This could create a very powerful positive feedback loop, drawing Earth's resources to space exploration like a black hole, creating a very virtuous economic system.