One way mission to the moon

[Don't Panic]

Did you see the state of US space exploration before the Moon landings? I wouldn't right China off on that basis. I don't think anyone will go, but if there is a 'most likely to' it would be China.

I don't think China will have a problem with taking even more risks than the US took in the Moon race. I wouldn't be at all surprised if their lunatics were ordered to make "I didn't make it, but the next brave Chinese astronaut will, so keep on trying while I lay here dying" videos before they go.

Quite possibly, but I just don't see why China would go. If its to assert some sort of dominance, they've already America by the balls anyway.

If they can establish any sort of permanent settlement there then they might decide that they kinda like the place enough to keep it.

[Atheist-Lite]

Did you see the state of US space exploration before the Moon landings? I wouldn't right China off on that basis. I don't think anyone will go, but if there is a 'most likely to' it would be China.

I don't think China will have a problem with taking even more risks than the US took in the Moon race. I wouldn't be at all surprised if their lunatics were ordered to make "I didn't make it, but the next brave Chinese astronaut will, so keep on trying while I lay here dying" videos before they go.

Quite possibly, but I just don't see why China would go. If its to assert some sort of dominance, they've already America by the balls anyway.

If they can establish any sort of permanent settlement there then they might decide that they kinda like the place enough to keep it.

They'd be lunatics to try, oops they are already aren't they?

[Don't Panic]

Did you see the state of US space exploration before the Moon landings? I wouldn't right China off on that basis. I don't think anyone will go, but if there is a 'most likely to' it would be China.

I don't think China will have a problem with taking even more risks than the US took in the Moon race. I wouldn't be at all surprised if their lunatics were ordered to make "I didn't make it, but the next brave Chinese astronaut will, so keep on trying while I lay here dying" videos before they go.

Quite possibly, but I just don't see why China would go. If its to assert some sort of dominance, they've already America by the balls anyway.

If they can establish any sort of permanent settlement there then they might decide that they kinda like the place enough to keep it.

They'd be lunatics to try, oops they are already aren't they?

A permanent base at the top of a gravity well, with at least 2 days warning of anyone approaching.

Don't know about mad.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Two day warning if they noticed the incoming. A Trident nuke would not be easy to spot.

[Don't Panic]

Two day warning if they noticed the incoming. A Trident nuke would not be easy to spot.

The boost phase would be visible, a thermal bloom isn't all the difficult to spot.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Two day warning if they noticed the incoming. A Trident nuke would not be easy to spot.

The boost phase would be visible, a thermal bloom isn't all the difficult to spot.

Even if launched from the ISS?

[Don't Panic]

Two day warning if they noticed the incoming. A Trident nuke would not be easy to spot.

The boost phase would be visible, a thermal bloom isn't all the difficult to spot.

Even if launched from the ISS?

One orbital launch option to monitor, and anything ground based will be easy to spot. Not all that difficult, a large radar array on Earth pointed at ISS would help too.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Two day warning if they noticed the incoming. A Trident nuke would not be easy to spot.

The boost phase would be visible, a thermal bloom isn't all the difficult to spot.

Even if launched from the ISS?

One orbital launch option to monitor, and anything ground based will be easy to spot. Not all that difficult, a large radar array on Earth pointed at ISS would help too.

Second what-if. Boost to orbit, fake being a satellite until it's on the other side of the planet, then go to lunar burn.

[Don't Panic]

Two day warning if they noticed the incoming. A Trident nuke would not be easy to spot.

The boost phase would be visible, a thermal bloom isn't all the difficult to spot.

Even if launched from the ISS?

One orbital launch option to monitor, and anything ground based will be easy to spot. Not all that difficult, a large radar array on Earth pointed at ISS would help too.

Second what-if. Boost to orbit, fake being a satellite until it's on the other side of the planet, then go to lunar burn.

Yep, that one would work, make sure China is on the moon side of the planet when you're doing the burn and it would be dark and in the right trajectory before anyone spotted it. Be a case of radar attempting to spot a small fast moving target after that.

However that would start a war on Earth.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Maybe start a war if they figure out who did it. Allah could have commanded a strike from Pakistan.

[Don't Panic]

Maybe start a war if they figure out who did it. Allah could have commanded a strike from Pakistan.

If a Chinese lunar base got nuked, I think the USA could expect a response in kind, an accurate strike on a small lunar base with an Earth launched missile isn't really the same as a missile that can lob a nuke a few thousand miles.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Maybe start a war if they figure out who did it. Allah could have commanded a strike from Pakistan.

If a Chinese lunar base got nuked, I think the USA could expect a response in kind, an accurate strike on a small lunar base with an Earth launched missile isn't really the same as a missile that can lob a nuke a few thousand miles.

And they couldn't buy the technology? Remember, the base isn't built yet, so you have a technology gap of more than a few years to consider. Then add in the privatization of space and a middle man to buy a vehicle or vehicles to get a nuke to the moon and viola.

[Don't Panic]

Maybe start a war if they figure out who did it. Allah could have commanded a strike from Pakistan.

If a Chinese lunar base got nuked, I think the USA could expect a response in kind, an accurate strike on a small lunar base with an Earth launched missile isn't really the same as a missile that can lob a nuke a few thousand miles.

And they couldn't buy the technology? Remember, the base isn't built yet, so you have a technology gap of more than a few years to consider. Then add in the privatization of space and a middle man to buy a vehicle or vehicles to get a nuke to the moon and viola.

But that technology gap also allows for advances in detection technology, and defensive technology, very cheap in energy terms to hurl a few hundred rocks at an incoming missile from the lunar surface, just as easy to hurl them at the earth too.

I know you've read the moon is a harsh mistress.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

But that technology gap also allows for advances in detection technology, and defensive technology, very cheap in energy terms to hurl a few hundred rocks at an incoming missile from the lunar surface, just as easy to hurl them at the earth too.

I know you've read the moon is a harsh mistress.

How does that determine who launched the missile? And wouldn't stealth technology keep up with detection?

[Don't Panic]

But that technology gap also allows for advances in detection technology, and defensive technology, very cheap in energy terms to hurl a few hundred rocks at an incoming missile from the lunar surface, just as easy to hurl them at the earth too.

I know you've read the moon is a harsh mistress.

How does that determine who launched the missile? And wouldn't stealth technology keep up with detection?

Who launched the missile would be a case of who objected to the presence of the outpost. If their criminal justice system is anything to go by I don't think they'd worry about evidence.

Detection Vs. stealth depends on the system being used, and only one country on Earth has invested heavily in stealth systems.