July 20, 1969, 16:17:42, is a memorable day in human history. American astronaut Neil Armstrong will step on the surface of the moon. This is the first time humans have set foot on the moon. But unfortunately, on December 19, 1972, "Apollo 17" returned to Earth. It was the last manned spacecraft to land on the moon in the history of human beings. We only lasted three years studying the moon landing. Now 50 years have passed and we have never landed on the moon again.

Let me tell you about "Apollo 17". This is the sixth manned lunar landing spacecraft of the American Apollo program. It was launched on December 7, 1972 and landed on the moon on the 11th. , returned to Earth on the 19th, spent 12 days and stayed on the moon for about 75 hours.

This moon landing has many records: the longest lunar landing flight, the longest lunar surface walking time, the most lunar specimens, and the longest lunar orbit navigation. The astronauts also left a set of scientific instruments and a nameplate on the moon: Humanity has completed the first exploration of the moon. December 1972 AD. May the spirit of peace we bring be with all humanity. (Signed: Cernan, Evans, Schmidt, Richard Nicholson)

"Apollo 17" has returned, and the "Apollo Project" has been suspended. It has been 50 years. Why don't we go back to the moon anymore?

In fact, when it comes to the moon landing, it was forced at first. From the 1960s to the 1970s, the space competition between the United States and the Soviet Union was heated at this time. The strong man naturally wanted to face the strong man.

In 1966, NASA received the highest government funding, which at that time was 4.5% of the total U.S. budget expenditure, US$5.933 billion. The basic conditions for the moon landing were in place.

And the United States was economically confident at that time. It was the golden age of economic development. Its gross national product was more than 500 billion U.S. dollars in 1961. In 10 years, by 1971, it rose to More than a trillion dollars. In terms of industrial production, the growth rate almost reached 18% at that time. In 1970, U.S. coal production accounted for 25% of the world's total, crude oil production accounted for 20%, and steel production accounted for 25%. In 1971 there were 111 million cars. There are also agricultural products, which doubled in 1970 compared to 1950.

With such awesome economic conditions, it makes sense for NASA to get such a large budget.

Whether politically or economically, the United States had to prove itself by going to the moon. In 1961, the Apollo project was approved.

But we have only been to the moon and back 6 times, why don’t we go to the moon now?

I think economic reasons should be the main reason. There was an oil crisis in 1973. After that, no matter how hard the United States worked, the economy seemed to never return to the previous "golden age". The NASA budget every year They are all being reduced. It costs so much to go to the moon. Now that we have no money, we still have to go to the moon.

According to relevant statistics, the "Saturn 5" went to space 13 times that year, costing US$6.5 billion. On average, it cost US$500 million each time. According to current US dollar estimates, each launch A super aircraft carrier can be built in one go. There is also data showing that from 2001 to 2014, the United States spent approximately US$1.6 trillion in its budget on counter-terrorism, which is also one aspect.

Politics is also one of the reasons. The Cold War is over, opponents have collapsed, and the moon landing plan seems to have no meaning. Just like a martial arts idiot who has defeated all the top martial arts masters in the world, he will instantly feel that life is meaningless. It is said that by Apollo 16 and 17, many people were not interested in watching it. Later, the United States changed its research direction early and specialized in reusable aircraft. The aerospace industry has gradually shifted to commercial applications, and the moon, which is 380,000 kilometers away from us, no longer has much appeal. ?

Judging from the returns from the moon landing, the current moon landing cannot attract everyone. If costs and returns can be directly proportional, no one would object. However, judging from the current situation, the moon landing can indeed drive the development of the aerospace industry chain and peripheral industries, but it will cost too much money and there will be no economic returns in a short time.

To take a step back, humans are not yet capable of fully developing the moon. If we can fully develop the moon and develop the ability to live on the moon, whoever goes there first will get some territory, and everyone will definitely compete to go to the moon.

Although 50 years have passed and we have not landed on the moon again, I believe that everyone should also believe that we will definitely land on the moon again. As Apollo 17 Commander Eugene Cernan said: "We are about to leave the Moon from the Taurus-Littrow region just as we set foot on the Moon from here. God willing, we will Come back here, with peace and hope for all mankind."

Now the cost of human space launches is gradually declining, reusable rockets have also appeared, technology continues to develop, resources continue to be developed, and we will land on the moon again. Even other asteroids are trivial and we will want to explore them again.

Now the United States is developing a new SLS rocket, and our Long March 9 rocket is also stepping up its development. Soon, humans will return to the moon. If you don’t believe it, just take a look!