Mining the moon for fuel used in nuclear fusion reactors is among NASA's 200-plus set of mission goals and could precipitate another reason for other countries and private investors to join future lunar exploration.

CNN: Mining the moon for a nuclear future

We also take a closer look at how the commercial space sector is pushing exploration forward with Google Lunar X Prize senior director, Alexandra Hall, a lunar rover team at Carnegie Mellon, the Space Angels Network VC firm and Laser Motive, which is working on powering crafts through lasers.

ENGADGET

"Placing a NEA in lunar orbit would provide a new capability for human exploration not seen since Apollo, " the report reads.

MSN: NASA might lasso an asteroid and drag it to orbit near moon

Beginning no later than 2008, we will send a series of robotic missions to the lunar surface to research and prepare for future human exploration.

CNN: Bush: 'It is time for America to take the next steps' in space

The lunar samples would be the central feature of an "Apollo Exploration Award" to be given to every Apollo astronaut or a surviving family member.

CNN: House approves moon rock giveaway to Apollo survivors

Last week President Bush gave his full backing to NASA's project to create a lunar base, and many believe that the moon could be a jumping off point for Martian exploration.

CNN: Life on Mars?

Leading the campaign for a global response to NEOs and a closer exploration of their physical make up is former astronaut Russell Schweickart, who piloted the lunar module of Apollo 9 in 1969.

CNN: Space's threat to civilization