Stories emerge of possible NASA project: a moon base

In a seeming attempt to capitalize on the public's renewed interest in space - thanks in large part to the stunning photos of the Martian landscape courtesy of the Curiosity Rover - news outlets across the country are talking about the latest rumor circulating around NASA: a base floating on the dark side of the moon.

This news comes out of an article from The Orlando Sentinel, who claims to have seen documents from White House briefing that focused on the topic. In response to the fervor, NASA released a press release that did not rule out the possibility. In fact, NASA indicated that such an installation might make their ultimate goal (putting a person on Mars) that much more achievable.

The cost of such an endeavour would definitely be considerable, but NASA has already started devising methods of cutting cost, including reusing parts of the International Space Station for construction.

For all the enthusiasm behind the project, the Obama administration has yet to openly support the concept. In the mean time, NASA's short term, real world plans are focused on hauling rocks back from Mars. Space enthusiasts can only hope that the agency's momentum continues into the new administration.