The Apollo 11 Moon Landing

[xelement5x]

Yeah, one of the reasons it's easier to send a ship from the Moon instead of earth is there is no pesky atmosphere and much lower gravity. 

Resources are clearly a big issue, but many theories talk about capturing an asteroid and getting it into orbit to mine for resources.  Also, the moon has an abundance of easily accessible Helium 3 which could be used for a fusion reactor to get power easier. 

I agree that yes, the need to send people up there (and out into the solar system at large) is much lower since bots can do it much cheaper.  But I think that all of humanity will reap technological benefits as we conquer manned space travel.

[crazydean]

Yeah, one of the reasons it's easier to send a ship from the Moon instead of earth is there is no pesky atmosphere and much lower gravity. 

Resources are clearly a big issue, but many theories talk about capturing an asteroid and getting it into orbit to mine for resources.  Also, the moon has an abundance of easily accessible Helium 3 which could be used for a fusion reactor to get power easier. 

I agree that yes, the need to send people up there (and out into the solar system at large) is much lower since bots can do it much cheaper.  But I think that all of humanity will reap technological benefits as we conquer manned space travel.

I haven't heard anyone talk about capturing an asteroid. That would be pretty amazing, and take a lot of resources to accomplish. That's quite a long ways off from our current technology.

As for the Helium-3, that's great and all, but we still don't have a working fusion reactor. And, it's not for lack of trying. Many billions of dollars have already been spent on researching a working fusion reactor, and we're still a very long ways off from something usable. It's possible that the fusion reactor will never even be a feasible option.

I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade here, but I feel like the perception of the scientific community may be a bit higher than reality. I would like to see some real space travel in my lifetime, and it may happen. But, sending a manned craft to Mars and having a spaceship-building robot facility on the moon are two very different things.

[mitsuman]

But, sending a manned craft to Mars and having a spaceship-building robot facility on the moon are two very different things.

You're right. Having a spaceship-building robot facility on the moon is much more likely than a manned mission to mars. 

[seieienbu]

You're right. Having a spaceship-building robot facility on the moon is much more likely than a manned mission to mars. 

...that sounds like the plot to Dead Moon.  Cool.

[ClodBuster]

After all those years, I still find it fascinating to read about the moon landing and other operations in space. After all, space is still a pretty hostile environment.

It's a giant waste of money; superior robots (like me!) can do the exploring for far longer and for far less cost.

They're also better at moderating forums.

[xelement5x]

After all those years, I still find it fascinating to read about the moon landing and other operations in space. After all, space is still a pretty hostile environment.

And you know, the moon is a harsh mistress as well.

[MrBroadway]

And you know, the moon is a harsh mistress as well.

It's as if we're strangers in a strange land.

[ClodBuster]

Good call, both of you.

[elmer]

And you know, the moon is a harsh mistress as well.

It's as if we're strangers in a strange land.

But at least there's still time enough for love, even on a Friday.

[blueraven]