From Popular Mechanics, folks are questioning the moon part of the moon to Mars equation. But I’ve always thought that the return to the moon was more (or should be more) about commerce and politics…not to mention the military umm…international relations:
“Having a U.S. presence on the moon at least gives us the chance to keep an eye on the standard of conduct,†Walker says. “And that’s pretty damned important.†In military terms, the moon can be seen as the ultimate high ground. A nation could set up hard-to-defeat microwave or laser weapons platforms aimed at in-orbit satellites or, in the best sci-fi tradition, to launch large rocks at the Earth with “mass drivers.†(These were the weapon of choice for Robert Heinlein’s revolutionary protagonists in The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress.)
Not that we should see China’s ambitions as a threat necessarily, but it might be good just keep a close watch for sake of stability.
Also, I want my LEGO-style moonbase. We all have our priorities.