we should totally go back.

[rmd]

it's been 40 years. we should go back to the moon. for lots of reasons.

if we destroy human civilization on the earth, and aliens come and see our landing sites on the moon, they should really know that we had another president besides RICHARD FUCKING NIXON.

(seriously, happy apollo 11 day, everyone!)

Comments

[feste-sylvain.livejournal.com]

I can't agree. At least, not yet.

I've seen several sets of numbers, and I haven't seen a moon mission which pays for itself yet.

However, orbit-based solar power which can be beamed down to collecting dishes on Earth could pay for themselves many times over, solve the energy crisis, solve global warming, and reduce poverty around the globe.

And that might even make a moon shot cheaper, eventually.

[rmd.livejournal.com]

and why the hell *don't* we have orbital solar stations beaming down power, yet? GERRY O'NEIL AND THE HIGH FRONTIER, BABY!

[wrog]

I'll have to admit, I'd like a better idea of where they'd be beaming it to and at least some assurance that it'll stay there and not go wandering around

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

A lot of things worth doing never pay for themselves.

[llachglin.livejournal.com]

I don't think your particular idea is it, but I do think that consistent human activity in space beyond tinkering in LEO will require an organizing economic motive. We only went to the moon in the first place for propaganda reasons and to prove that we could. Neither motive exists anymore.