Why go back to the Moon?

8/5/26:

The nation is now committed to going to the Moon again.

Not only the nation, but Elon Musk.

There are practical reasons for going there. There is an abundance of oxygen bound up in the rocks. Oxygen makes up roughly 80% of the reaction mass for the Raptor engines. This reaction mass can be sent to lunar orbit with relatively little cost through the use of propulsion devices on the surface. That could consist of the same kind of technology that flings jets off the new Ford class of Supercarriers--no fuel needed. Not only oxygen, but methane could be produced from the water recycling process used on the ISS. Methane is vented off the ISS, but methane could find some useful purposes on the lunar surface as well. One of these purposes could be in the manufacture of rocket fuels.

The Moon could also be a launching point for the trip to Mars, since its gravitational pull is much less than Earth's. Since the Ship would be full, it could develop a lot more delta-v for a faster trip. A faster trip could lower the exposure of the crew to microgravity and radiation.

The moon could also be developed for its other resources. This and the reasons above could make it economically profitable in its own right. In other words, there's money to be made.

11/19/18: The original post follows: Let's look back at why President Kennedy wanted to go to the Moon.




An analysis of the speech is here.

Key points of the analysis:

• Fear of Sputnik, and the breakneck speed of advancement of that time prepared the audience in advance for the ambitious undertaking that the President advocated.  America must lead that effort, he said.
• The march of progress will go on whether we lead it or not.
• Framed within the context of the Cold War, and inextricably linked to it, it was hard for opponents to be critical of the President's goal.
• Need to be challenged--- "We go to the moon not because it is easy, because it is hard."
• There will be sacrifice of life and treasure, but the sacrifice will be worth it.
• It is like the reason given for climbing Mt. Everest, "it is there".
• Finally, the speech was said to be well executed and effective.

How does that speech compare with the present?  There is no Cold War, but there could be a conflict of some kind on the horizon with China.  The march of progress has gone on indeed, and is much more broad based than just space.  The US is in danger of being left behind across the board, in my opinion.  As for the need for a challenge, it is probably more necessary now than ever.  This country has become too inured to the easy way out.  We need the challenge so that we don't become too soft.  

Mt. Everest is still there, and so is the Moon.  Why not go?  We may be surprised at what we find.