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Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Why should we go to the moon?

In this post we will be keeping a survey about why people should go to the moon. All of these answers are from people who have been asked the same question.

29 comments:

  1. Why should we travel to the moon?
    I believe we should travel to the moon so we can set up a space station on the surface.  This station can be used as a place to launch our air craft further into space.  Would we use less fuel launching from a surface with less gravitational pull?  Interesting question.... I look at traveling to the moon the same way pioneers viewed traveling west.  If you don't make the journey and explore, how will know your limits, future opportunities, or future resources?

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  2. Why should we travel to the moon?
     
    My career is centered around the “built environment”.  Yes, we all love the outdoors and the open spaces that are NATURE but when it comes time to construct something in nature, whether it is a bridge, a building or a retaining wall, it always amazes me how much the existing conditions have to tell us and how they guide us into making the new built environment fit in to the natural landscape.  Depending on the size of a project, the investigation of a “site” is topographical, investigates storm water drainage, investigates archaeological and geotechnical soil conditions, investigates the ability of the soils and subsoils to support a structure.  There is such value in this investigation.  It gives us so much insight on the history at the project location. 
     
    It would be wonderful to travel to the moon and truly investigate the moon “site”.  To understand its geology.  Are there the same geological substances as we find on earth?  Not that we are going to construct bridges or retaining walls – but to give the moon that in-depth investigation that lets us learn its history and draw some conclusions. 

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  3. You guys might not find my answer to be the most exciting, but--I don't think we should pursue manned space travel to the moon (or elsewhere). We should pursue un-manned travel--it is much more economical, and will get us there much faster. Not very romantic, but that is my answer.Great project, have fun!

    Un-manned--yay! I think it is a great idea to try non-government approaches, competition and alternative ideas are always a good thing!  Go get 'em!

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  4. According to President Obama, we should stop all trips to the moon and at the moment downsize NASA. I personally view this as a direct attempt to cut down on scientific funding, which may in the future lessen America's dominance as a world power in technology.
    We should travel to the moon today to increase our demand for technology and possibly colonize the moon, which could be a real possibility, some experts estimate, as soon as 2057.

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  5. The resulting technology that is created for use in space travel serves humankind on earth in many different ways. The materials developed and used on the spaceship, the robots alone I believe were probably paramount to the medically implementation of robots used in surgery, the technology used in finding water on the moon can be used here on earth. The following discoveries would not have been possible without the space travel:   (wow!!!!)
    ·  CAT scans
    ·  MRIs
    ·  Kidney dialysis machines
    ·  Heart defibrillator technology
    ·  Remote robotic surgery
    ·  Artificial heart pump technology
    ·  Physical therapy machines
    ·  Positron emission tomography
    ·  Microwave receivers used in scans for breast cancer
    ·  Cardiac angiography
    ·  Monitoring neutron activity in the brain
    ·  Cleaning techniques for hospital operating rooms
    ·  Portable x-ray technology for neonatal offices and 3rd world countries
    ·  Freeze-dried food
    ·  Water purification filters
    ·  ATM technology
    ·  Pay at the Pump satellite technology
    ·  Athletic shoe manufacturing technique
    ·  Insulation barriers for autos
    ·  Image-processing software for crash-testing automobiles
    ·  Holographic testing of communications antennas
    ·  Low-noise receivers
    ·  Cordless tools
    ·  A computer language used by businesses such as car repair shops, Kodak, hand-held computers, express mail
    ·  Aerial reconnaissance and Earth resources mapping
    ·  Airport baggage scanners
    ·  Distinction between natural space objects and satellites/warheads/rockets for defense
    ·  Satellite monitors for nuclear detonations
    ·  Hazardous gas sensors
    ·  Precision navigation
    ·  Clock synchronization
    ·  Ballistic missile guidance
    ·  Secure communications
    ·  Study of ozone depletion
    ·  Climate change studies
    ·  Monitoring of Earth-based storms such as hurricanes
    ·  Solar collectors
    ·  Fusion reactors
    ·  Space-age fabrics for divers, swimmers, hazardous material workers, and others
    ·  Teflon-coated fiberglass for roofing material
    ·  Lightweight breathing system used by firefighters
    ·  Atomic oxygen facility for removing unwanted material from 19th century paintings
    ·  FDA-adopted food safety program that has reduced salmonella cases by a factor of 2
    ·  Multispectral imaging methods used to read ancient Roman manuscripts buried by Mt. Vesuvius
    I believe so many of the satellites help keep us prepared for weather events and disasters. The satellites also help us communicate quickly in case of emergencies. I believe space travel and satellites have helped us track data to see the changes in the earth and its atmosphere and environment. All of which will help us better prepare for the future. Through space travel we are more aware of our surrounding planets and how precious and unique our environment and life on earth is. The more we understand the earth as a whole the better we will be prepared to protect it for our future generations.
    We better continue space travel because If we don’t take care of this earth it might be the only place to live.

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  6. Answered by children

    Why should we go to the moon?

    ..to find aliens!

    ..to get away from bad people.

    ..for fun.

    ..to play moon golf.

    ..to do the moonwalk.

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  7. To figure out t if any deadly life forms are trying to kill us.

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  8. I think that the primary reason that we should travel to the moon, is so that we can understand just how special our earth is. From our limited exploration of the universe we have not found a planet that can compare to our earth. The more we learn about other planets the more we can understand what we have on earth and just maybe we will learn how to better care for it.

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  9. It has been 40 years since our last visit to the moon and we have greatly advanced our technology on earth. I believe we should travel again to the moon to explore possible medical & healing advancements, dig for water – to see if man could build structures & live for short periods of time there to do research, study the earth from that vantage point (setting up telescopes/ etc….) – monitoring satellites & space debris that is orbiting our earth – monitoring the green house effect – monitoring global warming (if there is such a thing) – and pushing ourselves to learn more about our solar system and advancements that could help our planet.
     
    Good luck in your competition!

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  10. I think the continuation of the space program might inspire our youth with a sense of wonder and awe. Additionally,  seen from space, the beauty and miracle of the blue planet is apparent. Lastly, I hope that we will – as  a nation and individuals –never lose our appreciation of the mystery and that we embrace this planet as a member of a an utterly amazing universe.  

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  11. The moon offers a great place for man to practice preparing for exploration of other planets. As the Universe goes it is close, not utilizing that closeness would be foolish in my book. The ability to  sustain life on another planet is a key for mans future. Just my opinion.

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  12. My husband is the science geek in the family and he is home today, so I asked him. He actually subscribes to Sky and Telescope Magazine.
    He said that one reason to travel to the moon is to search for a solution to the Earth’s energy crisis. Many scientists believe that there is a potential gas source on the surface of the moon which can help alleviate energy problems we have here on the earth. He feels that this is why China and Japan are interested in space – due to the potential energy sources. He recently read this article on ABC News Online.

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  13. We should travel to the moon to establish a base.  A moon base offers many advantages:
    - Lower gravity means less costly in fuel to boost raw materials into space.
    - The mantle of the moon contains a lot of iron, for use as raw material in building future
      space stations, ships, more moon bases, etc.
    - Because the moon is lifeless, we would not be endangering any life or the environment by
      mining, or having other industries there.
    - Research experiments can be conducted there, studying the effects of lower gravity on plants,
      animals (including humans), crystallization, and the manufacture of special alloys.
    - The extreme cold on the dark side of the moon would aid in experiments in superconductivity.
    - Solar panels could be manufactured and placed on the moon to provide all the electricity needed
      for the manufacturing and research going on there.

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  14. To answer the question “Why we should travel to the moon?”
    1) Technology has changed so much since we were there last. There is so much more to learn from the moon and we now have access to much more advanced means to explore the moon.
    2) So much of the moon has not been explored, what is there?
    3) Was there ever life on the moon, how old is it?
    4) Can the moon be colonized and sustain life?

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  15. My first response is that we have more pressing environmental needs than space travel.  Our oceans are crying out for help so I'd rather see money devoted to that endeavor. With that said, I think unmanned space travel is the only way to go.

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  16. Lunar exploration is first of all important because its COOL.  But beyond that, it is a valuable resource for the geological research of the solar system and its history, as well as countless other uses.

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  17. All space explorations have yielded unforseen results.- better plastics, safer astronaut clothing, safer heat shields, how humans react to zero gravity. We must go and seek. There is new information we have not
    begun to understand.

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  18. In the year 1950 there were 92 elements.
    Now there are 112 elements on earth. We probably have additions elements on the moon that would be helpful to us on earth.

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  19. We should go to the moon because
     
    1 It is an important first step to colonizing the rest of the solar system.
     
    2 It has the possibility of being a source for raw materials for the exploration of the solar system.
     
    3 it is important to have humanity based on more than one planet to avoid an extinction event such as wiped out the dinosaurs.

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  20. Why the Moon? I used to have the first photos ever taken on the moon and back toward the earth. I got them from my brother-in-law who was then working for Honywell.. I have no idea what happened to them but would look for them if of interest to you, Jacob. The critics of space and moon travel always start with the COST FACTOR. What they fail to realize is that the frontier in any area of life reveals much new information to mankind. On our early missions, we developed new technology for food in space (energy bars), clothing, new heat resistant metals, and researched the effects of space on humans, plants, and animals. I always thought it was rediculous to go to the moon with $10,000 cameras (Hasselblod twin lens) and then leave them behind! What a great view from the moon!! Jacob, please pick up these precious ANTIQUES when you go to the moon on your next trip! In the early 70's I heard Buzz Aldrin speak about the quest for space knowledge. Keep up the hope for more voyages to the moon!!
    I look forward to hearing more about your project!!

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  21. Space travel in the past has led to numerous benefits of technological development (think Tang) for those of us who are earth bound. Continuing to explore space, and the moon, would continue to spur technological development that benefits people everywhere.

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  22. The moon is just a stepping stone to future space travel. With an atmosphere, climate and topography different than ours it will give us different challenges to overcome.

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  23. Written as a true teacher... Until schools are fully funded (health care, retirement, social security, etc.), I don’t think lunar exploration is terribly pressing. Let’s explore the unknown worlds on our own planet (the brain, oceans, etc.) and fund the projects on our planet then head off on distant missions. This is not to say I don’t support lunar exploration, nor do I think it’s a waste of time... Just a lot of money to spend that we don’t have.

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  24. Why should we go to the moon?
    To get real cheese.

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  25. We should travel to the moon to heighten our appreciation for the grandeur of creation...to discover more completely how the planets work together.

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  26. One of the greatest feats of our time was the Apollo Missions to the Moon. I was ten years old when Neal Armstrong was the first man to set foot on the Moon in July of 1969. The world literally stopped for a short time as millions of people around the world watched the Astronauts take the first steps. I remember the incredible excitement of those days very well.

    It is important to remember that the pocket calculator and the personal computer had not been invented in 1969. Many of the engineers at NASA used the slide rule to help them with the millions of mathematical problems and calculations that were needed to complete the missions. The Apollo program advanced scientific study in so many ways and helped us to better understand our place in the universe. It also helped to improve the standard of living for so many around the world.

    Many people questioned the wisdom of the space program in those days because there were so many problems that were not being solved here on Earth. It was estimated that four hundred thousand people were directly employed in the effort to send men to the moon. We should absolutely be focused on a return to our Moon as there are so many more things to learn about our Earth and the Moon from this endeavor.

    It is now forty one years since that sunny day in July of 1969 and my hope on that day was that we would have people living on the moon in the future but we have chosen not to go back just yet. The people of Earth are space faring and have a need to explore. Yes, the cost is high for this kind of exploration but the benefit far outweighs the cost. It makes me happy to know that there are young people willing to take the challenges of space exploration seriously. My wish for them is great success!

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  27. I think the most important reason to return to the moon is to test technology and procedures that will benefit future exploration of Mars. Second, we can pursue more information about the moon to help understand the solar system’s past.

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  28. I think it is important to scientists and astronomers to know the composition of the moon's surface. As the world population grows, we will probably need to have colonies on the moon. It would also help to have colonies on the moon to further our exploration of our solar system, and possibly the exploration of other solar systems.

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  29. Lunar exploration should be implemented for the continuation of scientific knowledge. The scientific exploration can teach more about our own earth and compare discoveries with the moon’s environment. I think that in the future we could gain a great amount of research to help ourselves in many branches of science. It is definitely a good idea to keep going with lunar exploration.

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