Why don't they go back to the moon? Why has nobody gone back?

Question

1969 and nobody has wanted to go back. I don't get it.

Answer 1

You've seen one rock, you've seen them all.

Being serious, the Apollo project was canceled early basically due to this ... there was not much more to be learned from the moon at that time. Getting there was extremely expensive and consumed huge resources. Those who have seen a Saturn V close up know what I mean (there's one in Houston and one at Kennedy in FL ... if you go to Florida, this will impress more than anything else on the trip). There still may not be so much to learn from the moon itself but returning and establishing a base has become very attractive for the basis of future space travel. We will return, build a base, and venture out from there and the start of this (returning to the moon) will happen very soon. Personally I believe the moon will be the launching base to get to Mars (build it on and launch it from the moon ... almost no gravity to fight).

btw - My Dad, he worked on the Apollo program at Honeywell.

Answer 2

You DO know that we landed there six times over a 3-1/2 year period, right?

The Apollo program was more about politics and nationalism than about exploration and science. This was a very volatile time in history, and when the political scene changed, it became very difficult to stir up the necessary national enthusiasm to use tax dollars to send more people to the moon. There have always been (relatively small) groups of people pushing for a return, but it's going to require a commitment of the whole nation pushing together, which is something we had during the years we were "racing" the Soviets, but which we have not experienced since.

Answer 3

I believe it is because of our bad success rate as far as reaching the moon. It is very costly to plan, and make the trip, and I feel that NASA and the US Gov are waiting until they have more advanced technology to start colonization experiments on the moon and have a space station there. The other reason is that we are still completing the space stations, where the plans are that moon missions would start there, instead of on earth. The trip would be to launch to the station, then from there fuel, refuel, supplies etc and make for the moon. We will be going back soon as the moon is pivotal in our exploration of the universe.

Answer 4

Its pretty much a been there done that kind of thing. People want something new. Watch Apollo 13 and they talk about that. Although I hear the Russians are talking about sending a man to the moon soon so maybe only the American's feel that way.

Answer 5

Getting in to moon was formulated to under stand
all about the solar systems and other planets -

well they might have thought that they have satisied them selves with the moon walk.
and try for Mars walk.................or some thing else
( to find possiblity of life in the space is the main motive of theres exploratione)

there is one contry still wanted to try a bit in the moon walk
India - india has a plan to put man on moon.-''chandiyana''

this is an project which india belive it will help them to understand the space journey and other issues related to space travel.

this is a first step for india to get a majour puch in the Sapce research techology.

Answer 6

Ummm....does no one keep up on current events?

The U.S. has commited to going back to the moon...I think by 2015. They are currently developing a new spaceship just for that purpose and the long term goal is to establish a permanent base on the moon.

Try going here and read about the Ares rocket and Orion capsule.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/main/index.html

Answer 7

We have gone to worse places than the moon and then returned. The explanation in the case of not returning to the moon for 30 or so years is that there was no oil there.

Answer 8

Ask Congress. They cut the funding to NASA of any additional landings - Apollo 18, 19, and 20 were scrapped, because Congress was reacting to public pressure of "spending too much on the moon."

Answer 9

The last flight was in 1972.

Apparently, the US has decided that, considering the considerable expense necessary, that it has learned all that it needs at this time.

Answer 10

because ppl dont have the heart to do it again and the money. if anybody goes i think i'll be the chinese because they have something to prove to the world.