Does it make sense for the U.S. to expend hundreds of billions of dollars to mount a new Apollo-style program to return to the moon? Or have we blazed that trail? Shouldn't we help other nations achieve this goal with their own resources but with our help?
I was motivated to improve the U.S. strategy of going back to the moon in 1985. That's a long time ago. Going back to the moon would be a great achievement for tourism adventure flights.
NASA's been one of the most successful public investments in motivating students to do well and achieve all they can achieve, and it's sad that we are turning the program in a direction where it will reduce the amount of motivation it provides to young people.
Unfortunately, kids are led to believe things are easier to achieve than they really are.
Monumental achievements by humanity should be done by major organizations as much together as possible.
America must dream again, and have the faith to achieve the dream.
There is very little doubt, in my mind, that what the next monumental achievement of humanity will be the first landing by an Earthling, a human being, on the planet Mars.
Certainly, I've never wanted to live on past achievements.
I expected the unexpected and went [on the Moon] with an open mind. I think the visual scene was described by my words on first landing - "magnificent desolation." Magnificent for the achievement of being there, and desolate for the eons of lifelessness.
Having Buzz there is a great achievement, he was on the first moon landing alongside Neil Armstrong, so getting his signature on a beautiful panoramic photograph will be an historical item to treasure.