Apollo’s scientific bounty gives good reasons to go back to the Moon

The Space Review ^ | 01/23/06 | Chris Gainor

[KevinDavis]

NASA’s quest to send astronauts back to the Moon and then to Mars has been undermined by NASA’s strange reluctance to provide justifications for its ambitious Vision for Space Exploration, even in the face of the ritual questions about competing earthbound priorities. The space agency’s stand is particularly strange because the lunar explorations of the Apollo astronauts have provided a solid reason to resume exploration of the Moon, namely Apollo’s great bounty of scientific information.

Thanks to the lunar samples and other data from Apollo, most scientists agree today on the early history of the Earth and the Moon. They support the giant impact theory of the Moon’s formation, which holds that a Mars-sized object struck the Earth early in its history, and that the debris from this collision eventually coalesced to form the Moon.

Perhaps more importantly, the science from Apollo formed an important link in the chain of evidence that convinced scientists of the importance of impacts in the history of the Moon and, more importantly, the Earth. This evidence is the reason why telescopes are today searching the skies for objects that could potentially place humanity in danger. It’s the reason we understand that a large impact was the likely cause of the extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.

[KevinDavis]

[Monkey Face]

NASA's loss...join us here...http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1547294/posts?page We're going to Mars...;o]

[TheHound]

I would think that a return to the moon would be of great value. The fact is we put man-made objects up there forty years ago. I would think that it would be important to find out what effect the environment of the moon had on the structure and seals of the lunar module.

[RightWhale]

The main purpose of the space program is to promote commerce. The business of America is business. Focus on tech and science spinoffs if you like, but the effect is more subtle and longer-lasting. The country that leads in space exploration also leads in commerce, no coincidence.

[KevinDavis]

You get no argument from me...

[RightWhale]

The fact is we put man-made objects up there forty years ago.

Seeing what happened to the materials on the moon is important, but not the most important part. Seeing that we can go to the moon at will is most impressive to others even if we take it as a trivial matter. Of course we can do it whenever we want and we have a very casual attitude about it. Those countries that cannot do it at all see this and forever have that sense of 'Just damn!'.

[Brilliant]

Robotics will be the primary spin-off this time, if we do it right.

[TheHound]

Seeing that we can go to the moon at will is most impressive to others even if we take it as a trivial matter.

This obsession about the opinions of others is America's worst trait. The fact is, the information that can be learned about the long term effects of materials in space supersedes international opinion.

[timestax]

What is NASA afraid of?

[RightWhale]

America was in the right place at the right time in 1787 and knew it. Commerce, worldwide, was the goal, and that meant impressing others with quality and price. They had a good run, and now is the time to wind up the old music box once more. Space development is something only America can do and do right.

[timestax]

bttt

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

The fact is we put man-made objects up there forty years ago. I would think that it would be important to find out what effect the environment of the moon had on the structure and seals of the lunar module.

A very good point!

[timestax]

bttt