Let me tell you about "Apollo 17", which is the sixth manned spacecraft in the American Apollo program. 1972,65438+launched on February 7th,1/landed on the moon on October 9th, 12 days.
There are many records of this moon landing: the longest time to fly to the moon, the longest time to walk on the surface of the moon, the largest number of moon specimens, and the longest time to sail in the orbit of the moon. Astronauts also left a set of scientific instruments and a nameplate on the moon: man has completed his first exploration of the moon. 1972 65438+ February. May the spirit of peace we bring be with all mankind. (Signature: Cernan, Evans, Schmidt, Richard Nixon)
It has been 50 years since Apollo 17 returned and the Apollo program was suspended. Why don't we go back to the moon?
In fact, when it comes to landing on the moon, I was forced at first. In the 1960s and 1970s, when the space hegemony of the United States and the Soviet Union was raging, the strongmen were naturally proud of each other.
1966, NASA received the highest government funding, accounting for 4.5% of the total budget expenditure of the United States at that time, and the most basic conditions for landing on the moon were met.
And the United States was also economically confident at that time. It was the golden age of economic development. Its gross national product was more than $500 billion in 196 1 year, and rose to more than $1 trillion in 197 1 year. There was also industrial production, which almost reached the growth rate of 18% at that time. 1970, the United States produced 25% of the world's coal, 20% of crude oil and 25% of steel. There were1971.11100 million vehicles in 0 year. For agricultural products, the ratio of 1970 to 1950 has tripled.
Under such awesome economic conditions, it makes sense for NASA to get so much budget.
Whether politically or economically, the United States must make a trip to the moon to prove itself. 196 1, the Apollo program was approved.
There are only six trips to the moon. Why not go to the moon now?
I think economic reasons should be the main reason. 1973 There was an oil crisis. After that, no matter how hard the United States tried, the economy never seemed to return to the previous "golden age". The budget of NASA is decreasing every year. It costs so much to land on the moon. There is no money now, and it is still a dime.
According to relevant statistics, Saturn V was launched 13 times that year, costing a total of $6.5 billion. It costs an average of $500 million each time. According to the current dollar estimate, a super aircraft carrier can be built every time it is launched. According to statistics, from 200 1 to 20 14, the United States spent about10.6 trillion dollars on counter-terrorism, which is another aspect.
Politics is also one of the reasons. With the end of the cold war and the collapse of opponents, the moon landing program seems meaningless. Just like a martial artist who has defeated all the top martial arts masters in the Jianghu, he will feel that life is meaningless in an instant. It is said that many people are not interested in seeing Apollo 16 and Apollo 17. Later, the United States changed its research direction long ago, specializing in reusable aircraft. The aerospace industry has gradually turned to commercial applications, and the moon, which is 380 thousand kilometers away from us, is no longer very attractive.
Judging from the return of landing on the moon, landing on the moon can't attract everyone at present. No one will object if the cost and return can be directly proportional. However, judging from the current situation, landing on the moon can really promote the development of the aerospace industry chain and surrounding industries, but it costs too much to get any economic returns in a short time.
To say the least, man has not been able to fully develop the moon. If we can fully develop the moon and develop its habitability, whoever goes up first will get some land, and everyone will definitely compete to go to the moon.
Although 50 years have passed and we haven't landed on the moon, I believe everyone should also believe that we will definitely land on the moon again. As eugene cernan, commander of Apollo 17, said, "We are about to leave the moon from Tauras-Litro, just as we set foot on the moon from here. God bless, we will come back here with the peace and hope of all mankind. 」
At present, the cost of human space launch is gradually decreasing, reusable rockets have appeared, technology is constantly developing, and resources are constantly being developed. Landing on the moon and other asteroids again is nothing, and we will consider exploring again. Now the United States is developing a new SLS rocket, and so is our Long March 9 rocket. It won't be long before humans will definitely return to the moon, don't believe you!