did they do anything else. it seems a long way to go and a lot of expence just for a few rocks.
2007-10-24 21:48:03 · 16 answers · asked by strongbow 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
In six landing missions, two orbit-only missions and one flypast they collected over 380kg of rock, soil and core tube samples from different regions of the Moon, deployed various surface experiment packages, put up flags, placed three laser reflectors, imaged the stars in UV, collected medical data on the crews, hit a golf ball, performed a simple confirmation of Galileo's theory of falling objects using a hammer and a feather, mapped the Moon in unprecedented detail, gathered spectrometric data on the composition of the Moon, and broadcast most of it live to the world via TV.
It was undoubtedly expensive, but to dismiss it as 'just for a few rocks' is to utterly fail to understand just what returns were obtained from that expense. The rock and soil samples led to a new theory of lunar formation, increasing our understanding of the solar system and how we came to be here. There were technological developments that have had benefits to your life, such as computer miniaturisation, video technology, medical technology and understanding. There was the simple inspiration factor of seeing men walk on another celestial body, which you really can't put a price on. It showed we could leave this planet. On top of all that, a lot of what was obtained for that expense is still in use today. Launch complex 39, including the vehicle assembly building and launch control centre, which is still used today for the shuttle, was built for Apollo. The shuttle launch platform and tower was modified from the ones built for the Saturn V. The crawler transporter that takes the shuttle to the pad from the VAB is the same one used in Apollo. Mission control in Houston was built for Apollo.
So yes, Apollo was expensive, but it was not just for the sake of a few rocks.
2007-10-24 22:18:05 · answer #1 · answered by Jason T 7 · 7⤊ 2⤋
Until men landed on the moon, there were no samples of moon rock for us to study. These moon rocks provided invaluable evidence for how the moon was formed, what it was made out of, how old it is, and much more. We also dropped a feather and a hammer at the same time to see if they would hit the ground at the same time, in the vacuum of space, like Newton predicted. They did of course. We also tested moon buggies, and most of all, we proved that humans are able to leave the planet and land on another heavenly body. If we can do that, we can do just about anything. Very inspiring to the human race.
2007-10-25 05:10:23 · answer #2 · answered by straightshooter 5 · 5⤊ 3⤋
As well as the priceless soil & rock samples that were brought back, the Apollo missions did many other experiments, including seismic, solar and astronomical instrument arrays, not to mention the technological advances in all fields of knowledge gained in just getting there and back!
2007-10-25 06:07:52 · answer #3 · answered by Grizzly II 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
doncha just love conspiracy theory nutters
ah well, those idiots are good for a laugh on a dull thursday morning.
The laser reflector that they put there has been providing accurate measurement data.... Daily.... since the day it was put there.
the rocks they collected helped determine the geology of the moon.
the whole mission was a giant leap forward in technology.
{Firefoxy, chuckles quietly to himself at the nutters - Mr roberts, mimkat and Robetha}
2007-10-25 05:03:44 · answer #4 · answered by Vinni and beer 7 · 5⤊ 2⤋
WHEN they landed on the moon, what did they actually do?
Showed that we are not necessarily constrained to this one insignificant planet unless we want to be.
2007-10-25 16:36:16 · answer #5 · answered by MICHAEL C 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they beat the Russians.
(this was important way back then, tho i cannot recall why)
they gave us heroes... admittedly, slight eccentric ones.
we learned a LOT about mission planning... e.g. even when they had the Lunar Rover, they never once traveled farther away from the landing module than they could walk if the rover went on the fritz
took pics... lots of pics. (all tourists do)
buried Jimmy Hoffa
2007-10-25 05:11:54 · answer #6 · answered by Faesson 7 · 2⤊ 4⤋
It was a geological survey so they could find out if the had the raw materials to build things up there.
But in reality is was just part of the cold war “my economic system is better than yours”
2007-10-25 05:30:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋
In my opinion it was just a space race and wanted to get there before the Russians and the Americans got there and just established the American flag.
2007-10-25 05:28:16 · answer #8 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 6⤋
played golf i think and stuck a flag up!!
2007-10-25 04:51:13 · answer #9 · answered by mamousoux 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
They also played golf!
2007-10-25 04:50:45 · answer #10 · answered by mark 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋