> 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?

	▲	esseph 3 hours ago \| parent [-]
		- 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"