End ‘colonial’ approach to space exploration, scientists urge

Focus should shift away from seeking to exploit discoveries on other planets, researchers say

Humans boldly going into space should echo the guiding principle of Captain Kirk's Star Trek crew by resisting the urge to interfere, researchers have said, stressing a need to end a colonial approach to exploration.

Nasa has made no secret of its desire to mine the moon for metals, with China also keen to extract lunar resources - a situation that has been called a new space race.