Yep. Even President Bush&#x27;s 2004 NASA proposal included a return to the moon (&quot;as early as 2015&quot;) and permanent moon base, specifically to &quot;take advantage of lunar resources&quot; and serve &quot;as an eventual springboard to Mars&quot;. See:<p><a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.nbcnews.com&#x2F;id&#x2F;3950099&#x2F;ns&#x2F;technology_and_science-space&#x2F;t&#x2F;bush-sets-new-course-moon-beyond&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.nbcnews.com&#x2F;id&#x2F;3950099&#x2F;ns&#x2F;technology_and_science-...</a>