“How can we get to the moon if we can’t talk between two buildings?” ’1
‘1 Famous quote of Gus Grissom, before being asphyxiated in the Apollo 1 fire which occurred January 27, 1967,
Why go back? When you have been there, done that?
The American Space programme is like a “Possum” in headlights. The next logical progression to the Moon is Mars, but the Chinese space program, targets the moon first and in a methodical way, making the Americans to look introspectively and ask seriously if they have missed anything about the moon that the Chinese will find: Water has been discovered on the moon, Lithium too, mining the moon for raw materials, could be the ultimate objective of the Chinese with a site survey with lunar landers to explore.
Yes Mars, is an interesting prospect, but Mars is still far-away, about a two year one way mission or roughly a five year round trip. Not to mention solar radiation, gamma rays all in a Carcinogenic environment, probably have to grow your own food, and recycle liquids to produce water. Can America do two space programmes a lunar and martian one at the same time? With the potential of being late for its much anticipated return to the moon? My bet is the Americans will pick another moon landing in the next five – eight years, based on the length of time it took the Americans to perfect moon landing techniques, unfortunately most if not all of the Apollo programme Astronauts have passed on, the “Chris Krafts” and “Deke Slaytons” of NASA have passed the expertise perhaps is no longer documented, or is not easy to access, it’s like a case of organisational amnesia. NASA’s Orion launcher does not look the same as the original Apollo 11, it is positioned vertically on the launch pad not erected.
It just does not look right. I can’t put my finger on it, but would I want to ride Orion, probably not, I value my life. All those who are happy with the risk, are adrenaline junkies and narcissists.
NASA PROJECT ARTEMIS, PICTURE COURTESY NASA