NASA will return to the moon by 2020 and build a permanent base by 2024. The base will be at the moon's south pole because it is sunlit three-quarters of the time. Solar energy can be used. The plan is for crews to eventually stay on the moon for periods of 6 months. It will be an international effort, with Europe, Russia and Japan. The mission goal is to set the stage for going to Mars. In 1980, I thought we would be on Mars in my lifetime. It will probably not happen. Space exploration is long term. It involves the whole human species. It may be the 22nd century before men walk on Mars.

I believe it was the cut on the budget during the past decades what prevent us to travel beyond in the universe, since technology advanced faster than expected.

Glad to hear they will be back with space exploration projects.

I thnk the future lies in space exploration. I am glad that we will be returning to the moon in my lifetime. I remember the original moon landing.

Well as long as they can get the astronuts under control....drinking and flying...stalking...I swear, you'd think they could weed out the loons!

You may have a point there. Maybe they will get there on booze instead of rocket fuel.

Well they are supposed to have psychological checks, background checks....etc. Now it seems any nutjob who wants to be located physically where they are located mentally (out there...WAY out there!) can sign up.

You can't really judge based on a few news reports. The news media has always sensationalized stories and what better than taking a respectable profession (doctor, astronaut, policeman) and smearing them.