Back to the Moon

Current plans call for NASA to land astronauts on the Moon in 2020. Given past history of ambitious programs like this, it is reasonable to expect this to slip by a few years, so lets say it occurs in 2022. What is the significance of that? Well, that would make it exactly 50 years between the last moon landing, by Apollo 17 in 1972, and a return. Who would have thought, in the heyday of the Apollo missions, that it would take half a century to get back to where weve been before. At the time of the first moon landing in 1969, I would have bet that by 1990, or surely by 2000, we would have a lunar base and a mission to Mars. Following are NASAs six stated reasons for going back to the moon. I welcome comments from readers on why things have gone as they have and where they should go from here.

Concept of a future moon landing.
Credit: NASA/John Frassanito and Associates

Six lunar exploration themes evolved from the recent Global Exploration Strategy discussions. NASA engaged the global space community to develop the themes by asking the question, Why should we return to the Moon?

From the answers emerged six common areas of interest six areas of pursuit which, seen through the eyes of the world, define the value of going to the moon. NASA took these six ideas and worked with other space agencies to develop the following lunar exploration themes.

Human Civilization Extend human presence to the Moon to enable eventual settlement.

Scientific Knowledge Pursue scientific activities that address fundamental questions about the history of Earth, the solar system and the universe - and about our place in them.

Exploration Preparation
Test technologies, systems, flight operations and exploration techniques to reduce the risks and increase the productivity of future missions to Mars and beyond.

Global Partnerships Provide a challenging, shared and peaceful activity that unites nations in pursuit of common objectives.

Economic Expansion Expand Earths economic sphere, and conduct lunar activities with benefits to life on the home planet.

Public Engagement Use a vibrant space exploration program to engage the public, encourage students and help develop the high-tech workforce that will be required to address the challenges of tomorrow.