Report says return to moon isn’t ‘viable’

[goof2]

Originally Posted by Kaneman

With all the computer/rocket technology we have gained in the past 50 years shouldn't it be incredibly easy to land on the moon at this point?

It isn't incredibly easy (or inexpensive) to do anything in space.

Theoretically going to the moon is a lot easier today, but designing and building the required hardware while removing human error is still extremely difficult. Sending a shuttle in to orbit and returning it should be easier than sending people to the moon, but we have lost more lives doing the easy thing. Sending unmanned probes to other planets in the solar system should be easier than sending people to the moon, but look at how many attempts at that have unsuccessful.

I also mentioned cost. With all the technology we currently have it still costs around $10,000 per pound to put things in to geosynchronous orbit. Going to the moon increases those costs exponentially.

While I think it would be cool as hell if we put men on the moon again, I have to agree with Homeslice. I'm not sure what the value would be to repeat what we were able to accomplish 40 years ago.

[karl_1052]

Originally Posted by goof2

While I think it would be cool as hell if we put men on the moon again, I have to agree with Homeslice. I'm not sure what the value would be to repeat what NBC was able to accomplish 40 years ago.

Fixed it for ya.

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by karl_1052

Fixed it for ya.

[goof2]

Originally Posted by karl_1052

Fixed it for ya.

I hope you are kidding.

[101lifts2]

We need to actually land on the moon first...

[Apoc]

You did land on the moon, and they planted reflectors there that can be found at exact co-ordinates with good enough telescopes. They are man made reflectors, placed there by the landing crew.

[goof2]

Originally Posted by Apoc

You did land on the moon, and they planted reflectors there that can be found at exact co-ordinates with good enough telescopes. They are man made reflectors, placed there by the landing crew.

And the Russians, at the time called the USSR and kind of America's sworn enemy, had the capability to track spacecraft sent there. They also had every interest in showing America to be liars in front of the world. They decided not to do so. I guess they were feeling magnanimous that day.

[Kaneman]

Originally Posted by goof2

And the Russians, at the time called the USSR and kind of America's sworn enemy, had the capability to track spacecraft sent there. They also had every interest in showing America to be liars in front of the world. They decided not to do so. I guess they were feeling magnanimous that day.

Or they were even easier to fool than the American public. =)

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by goof2

And the Russians, at the time called the USSR and kind of America's sworn enemy, had the capability to track spacecraft sent there. They also had every interest in showing America to be liars in front of the world. They decided not to do so. I guess they were feeling magnanimous that day.

Or maybe they just went along with it in order to justify massive space & defense spending