A new study has stated that humans could make a trip to the moon and the mission would not prove taxing for NASA's bank. The researchers said the moon trip can be made in five to seven years and a permanent base is possible 10 years later.

The moon mission will cost 10 billion dollars and another 40 dollars to stay there. The amount is considered quite less when compared to the current $100 billion estimate. As per the researchers, NASA would not have to bear the brunt in terms of cost, as public-private partnerships will be used.

The researchers said that using the resources from private companies including SpaceX, NASA's would not have to affect its budget. The partnership concept is not a new one, as NASA uses them to resupply the International Space Station.

From the research it has been found that by having a lunar base, travel to other places will become easier. The researchers said that a lunar base could mine resources on the moon. The independent report prepared for NASA's chief technologist tries to find answer of a question that whether it would be feasible for presidents and lawmakers to think about such projects in the coming time, if NASA's budget does not get affected.

In the research, a number of possible strategies have been assessed like limited, short-term exploration of the moon to coming up with some kind of international authority to head space activities.