I've been pondering for a while now why there hasn't been more of a push by USA, Russia, China and Japan to create a research colony on the Moon. It seems logical to first try a human settlement on the Moon prior to Mars which is much further away....

www.bbc.com/future/story/20150712-should...-village-on-the-moon

I think Mars is preferred because there is a supply of water there. No expert by any means but I wonder if a base on Mars is just easier to do. Appreciate that getting to the Moon would be easier though.

It is interesting that the new Director-General of ESA is advocating an internationally subscribed 'Moon Village'. One to certainly keep an eye on.

That's the same link as in the OP

Martin P wrote: That's the same link as in the OP

Noted and post duly amended

You & Me both Fozia.
I still shake my head at the fact we still have no human base (that we know of ) to this day long after the Apollo programme has ended, it just strikes me as very strange, it's probably due to money and the fact they didn't see the worth in it at the time but thesedays I'm surprised no companies have rallied around to make this happen....Maybe Lunar Missions in time will do so?

Martin, I'm surprised to read you would think Mars would be easier! I'm with Fozia on this, surely a Moon Base would make more sense.