What beautiful oceans you have here!

It was 40 years ago I saw on a black and white television the images of the first men on the moon. I was only 5 years old but I remember clearly the fuzzy images that were seen that day by what was estimated another half a billion people. On July 20-21st 1968, that would have been one seventh of the whole population of the world, about 3 and a half a billion, getting a glimpse of one of the most important events in history live on television. On that day, after 6 and a half hours of preparation at 2:55 AM (GMT) Neil Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface, almost muddling his well rehearsed lines to say, "One small step for (a) man, One giant leap for mankind", aptly profound words that echoed solidly around the world. Aptly too as I write, 40 years ago to the minute. Buzz Aldrin, an hour later had to take a short fill of his urine bag just before stepping onto the surface from the Eagle's ladder, another first without doubt. After putting up a rather solid looking American flag in the airless atmosphere and placing about a few scientific detectors at 5:27 AM (GMT) the excursion was over but the images remain in so many peoples memory of that great 'inspiring' day. Michael Collins at this time was all 'in true extreme definition - very much' alone, keeping watch in the ship that circled the moon as it swung round the dark side, to ensure that the moonwalkers got home.

I was really young seeing them bounce around the surface of another world but I remember the excitement of it all and amazingly (if I recall correctly) understood a lot of what was happening and thinking how wonderful it was. I was hooked from an early age by the Space Race and the future was going to be glorious. I remember, apart from being a hungry and avid reader of any science fact and fiction books I could find. I remember clearly there were little collectable cards in PGTips tea that focused on the Race Into Space, and at the Petrol station, Shell were producing coins detailing the aviation and space vehicles, these items were treasured in the early 70's. The most beautiful I found was the art, the pictures that showed how the future could look, clean, amazing and inspiring images of the homes to be, the awesome cities that were possible and strange and wonderful images of new worlds to explore. My imagination and creativity explored unknown and alien images, environments, sensations, new worlds and life. Everything was possible, there were fantastic places to see and explore, so much to learn and do, it was a great time to be alive, I was definitely going to go into space when I was older...

The economics of putting more people on the moon, 4% of America's budget then could not be sustained against the losing interest of the public. Six times the moon had (human) life visit, the last day that any man stepped onto the surface of another world was the 7th December 1972, since then President Nixon shelved the Apollo missions and no attempt has been made since. What takes over? Something less than life often occupies the mind and years of earthly struggle takes precedence over the dreams of reaching out. The worry of living, surviving a recession, the price of fuel all takes a higher
priority than hopes and dreams and positive advancement for everyone. Mankind has survived and wasted its effort during probably many dark ages, we cannot afford to waste any more time living through any more mini-dark ages, especially with the 6,772,418,593 souls occupying this fragile place and the near lifetime since being on the moon.

It cost $150 billion (in today's money) to run the Apollo Project compared to the current estimated cost of the Iraq war of over $500 billion.

Imagine the inspiration that could be created by a world collaboration on of reaching the Moon, Mars and the many satellites and stations available to us. The excitement of the new possibilities available to use as we reach out once more into the universe. This naive destructive teenager has to leave home and grow up before he destroys it. We are truly fortunate to have a stepping stone in our journey into the universe, the Moon is a perfect opportunity to create and develop the techniques and technologies we need to make our journey safe and comfortable. At a time when fear of economic recession takes hold then a real stimulus is needed, but it is needed as a shared collaboration, everyone being equal in right and responsibility in utilising the worlds that we find. Think what this could provide, the jobs and the economic growth for all involved, the technologies that we could find. The number of benefits that we live with now that have been spun from the efforts of the space program are too many to mention, we have always achieved highly during times of stress, whether that is with high purpose, like the space race or low, like war. In striving for providing a habitat in the harsh environment of space it will be inevitable that important developments will take place that will benefit with helping the earth cope with its burgeoning population and its effects, let alone unseen future products of the imagination.

There is an important shift in perspective to be considered too. Imagine YOU are there, like Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins, and the others that followed. Looking at this beautiful planet from afar. Such a small place for so many people to share and very alone in the vastness of even our solar system. What things are important in your mind as you see our home? How amazing it must appear, with so much life in the deadness of what surrounds it. Think also of those who have walked upon the dusty desolate desert-like surface of the Moon, as beautiful as it appears it cannot compare to the moment of seeing the oceans of the Earth. How magical is must be to see an everyday scene of Earth with people milling about busy in their everyday tasks when compared to the empty and silent world that circles us. What is important in the end? What makes Earth so different? It is life? It is full of living organisms, one of which has grown up and taken its first steps...

References:
Technology Escalation during World War II
Technological Advancements due to War
Moon landing facts
Apollo 11 Space Flight Chronology
Cost of Iraq War
NASA Spinoffs
Current World Population
Apollo Moon Program heroes call for a return to space