“Fifty years ago, on Oct. 31, 1956, a tiny U.S. plane made that science possible when it landed on the ice sheet at the southern end of the world, 9,300 feet above sea level. That landing will be commemorated at a ceremony today at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Fla. The ceremony is scheduled to include a telephone call from NSF Director Arden Bement to personnel at the South Pole.”
Editor’s note: Half a century ago we did such things, and Antarctic exploration moved from visits to habitation. We have been there ever since. Not so on the Moon. If/when America returns according to the VSE’s schedule, it will have been half a century – of absence. Will we return to stay? Given the enormous costs that Mike Griffin’s plans call for, I am not sure we can afford it – especialy when you hear talk of a $5 billion annual cost associated with two lunar sorties and $5-6 billion to build the first LSAM.
