That night back in 1969, a few days after my 19th birthday, when I stayed up most of the night to watch the first moon landing, I had no idea that it would be 50 plus years until humans returned. Like many others, I anticipated that there would be a moon base, then exploration of the solar system during my lifetime. But it seems there were more pressing problems on earth, or maybe it wasn’t politically advantageous to spend billions more on a space race. America achieved President Kennedy’s goal of sending a man to earth and return him safely. More recently, humans settled semi-comfortably on the International Space Station, doing research experiments, taking space walks and watching Game of Thrones.
The space game entered a new chapter on Wed., Nov. 16, when an unmanned Artemis mission launched to begin a 25 day trip around the moon and back. Crewed missions are planned beginning in 2024.
There are actually concrete reasons to go back, apparently, other than nostalgia and love of science fiction:
There’s science to be done on the moon. For example, scientists want to explore water deposits known to exist in craters in the south pole region.
The moon is a stepping stone to Mars. The plan is to test out technologies in a habitat on the moon that will later be used to explore Mars.
It could spur new technologies. Moon exploration spawned everything from hand-held computers to insulin pumps and freeze-dried food. Going back will spark new innovations.
It will inspire a new generation of engineers and scientists, as did the original moon landings.
I’m game. I can’t wait to stay up late watching the next men—and women—walk on the moon.
Source:
https://www.npr.org/2022/08/28/1119290573/nasa-artemis-i-launch-moon