The $20 billion dollar moon base didn't seem like an announcement grounded in reality, although maybe that was less a PR stunt than the fact that NASA must (literally) shoot for the moon to stay politically relevant.

> The $20 billion dollar moon base didn't seem like an announcement grounded in reality

While I can't comment on the cost per say, there are both military and capitalistic reasons for the race to the moon.

is there?

- Deep space surveillance

- Logistics Hub

- "Get there quickly and set legal precedent"

- Resource extraction (helium-3, gold, platinum, etc)

- If moon dust can be converted to oxygen reliably, the first company or country to set up shop on the moon can sell that service to countries and commercial entities.

- Unique manufacturing and science activities because of the low gravity

- "Space Tourism"

Isaacman definitely did not pass up his golden opportunity on Pesach to light the most epic menorah the world has ever seen!