I would totally go to the moon especially if Trump wins the U.S. Presidential election. Actually, the world seems to be going to hell in a handbasket, the moon might be the place to be regardless! That would definitely raise the price of what I would pay. I thought I would do some research on the economics of going to the moon in general, the dangers of space flight to humans, and additional resources to learn more about the cosmos.

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The Economics of Going to the Moon

1. Astronomical Expense: The cost of sending astronauts to the moon is extremely high. The Apollo program, which took humans to the moon in the 1960s and 1970s, cost an estimated $25.4 billion at the time, equivalent to over $150 billion in today’s dollars.
2. SpaceX’s Aspirations: Elon Musk’s SpaceX has announced ambitious plans to send humans to the moon and establish a lunar base. The estimated cost for SpaceX’s lunar mission is in the range of $2 billion to $10 billion per mission.
3. Commercial Space Travel: Private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are working on making lunar travel more cost-effective. Blue Origin’s proposed lunar lander, Blue Moon, aims to reduce costs by leveraging reusable technology.
4. Price of Moon Rocks: Moon rocks are precious. They can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 per gram on the black market, making them among the most expensive substances on Earth.
5. Space Tourism: Companies like Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin are working on commercial suborbital space tourism, with ticket prices reaching as high as $250,000 per person for a few minutes of weightlessness and a glimpse of space.
6. International Collaboration: The International Space Station (ISS) is one of the most expensive space projects ever undertaken, with an estimated total cost exceeding $150 billion. It’s a product of international collaboration involving multiple space agencies.
7. Lunar Advertising: Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa announced plans to take artists on a trip around the moon and use it as a platform for art. He’s claimed that he purchased all the seats on SpaceX’s Starship for the mission, which could cost billions.
8. Space Tourism Beyond the Moon: Axiom Space, a private space company, plans to build a commercial space station and offers missions to the International Space Station (ISS) for approximately $55 million per seat.
9. Cost of Space Suits: Space suits are incredibly expensive. A single space suit can cost tens of millions of dollars, as it needs to be highly specialized and capable of protecting astronauts from the harsh conditions of space.
10. Lunar Real Estate: While not an official fact, some companies and individuals have claimed to sell plots of lunar land. The legality and authenticity of such claims are questionable, but owning lunar real estate is certainly an intriguing concept.

Analysis of the Pure Cost of Going to the Moon

So basically, if you want to go to the moon, it would be roughly two billion dollars. That is a pretty insane price tag to consider. If you can bring back a lot of moon rocks though it might be worthwhile….I mean a lot of moonrocks. If you could buy land on the moon, the value of the moon rocks would make it quite a lucrative investment. I think I will hold out for owning part of an asteroid though!

The Dangers of Going to Space for Humans

1. Vacuum of Space: Space is a near-perfect vacuum, which means there is no air, and the lack of pressure can be deadly. Without proper protection, the fluids in a human’s body can boil due to the low pressure.
2. Extreme Temperatures: Space experiences extreme temperature variations. Temperatures can range from hundreds of degrees Celsius in direct sunlight to hundreds of degrees below freezing in the shadow of celestial bodies.
3. Microgravity Effects: Prolonged exposure to microgravity can lead to muscle atrophy, bone density loss, and other health issues. Astronauts need to exercise regularly to counteract these effects.
4. Cosmic Radiation: Space is filled with high-energy particles from the Sun and beyond. Astronauts are exposed to increased levels of radiation, which can lead to long-term health risks, including cancer.
5. Micrometeoroids: Tiny, high-speed particles, or micrometeoroids, pose a constant threat to spacecraft and astronauts. Even small impacts can cause damage to equipment and spacecraft.
6. Isolation and Psychological Stress: Long-duration space missions can lead to isolation and psychological stress for astronauts. Being confined to a spacecraft for extended periods can have a profound impact on mental health.
7. Space Debris: Space debris, including defunct satellites and spent rocket stages, poses a collision risk. Even small pieces of debris can cause catastrophic damage to spacecraft.
8. Limited Resources: Space missions require careful management of resources like food, water, and oxygen. Running out of these essentials can have life-threatening consequences.
9. Solar Flares and Space Weather: Solar flares and space weather events can release massive amounts of energy and radiation. Astronauts in space during such events must seek shelter to avoid dangerous exposure.
10. Re-Entry Hazards: Returning to Earth’s atmosphere is a perilous process. Spacecraft must endure extreme heat and friction, and any malfunction during re-entry can be fatal.

Analysis of Dangers of Space Travel

This would be a major deterrent to my traveling to the moon or in space in general. Space does not seem to be down with supporting us air-breathers. The whole freezing to death in seconds while your lungs explode if you are exposed to a vacuum sounds like kind of a bummer. That is not even taking into account all the other cosmic dangers out there ranging from space debris, small meteors, radiation, and of course the spaceship blowing up. Maybe I can just settle for a Zoom moon landing?

Just In Case You Still Want to go to the Moon

1. NASA’s Website (https://www.nasa.gov): The official website of NASA provides a wealth of information on space missions, research, and educational resources.
2. Space.com (https://www.space.com): Space.com is a popular space news website offering articles, videos, and in-depth features on various space-related topics.
3. European Space Agency (ESA) (https://www.esa.int): ESA’s website offers information on European space missions, news, and educational resources.
4. The Planetary Society (https://www.planetary.org): The Planetary Society is an organization dedicated to the exploration of space. Their website provides space news, articles, and resources for space enthusiasts.
5. SpaceX (https://www.spacex.com): SpaceX’s website offers updates on their missions and ambitious plans for space exploration.
6. Astronomy.com (https://www.astronomy.com): Astronomy magazine’s website is a great resource for space enthusiasts, featuring articles, guides, and skywatching tips.
7. HubbleSite (https://hubblesite.org): HubbleSite is the official website for the Hubble Space Telescope, featuring stunning images, videos, and educational content.
8. JPL (NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory) (https://www.jpl.nasa.gov): JPL’s website provides information on robotic space exploration missions and the latest news from their researchers.
9. SpaceFlight Now (https://spaceflightnow.com): SpaceFlight Now is a space news website with up-to-date coverage of space launches, missions, and space science.
10. Universe Today (https://www.universetoday.com): Universe Today offers space news and articles on various space-related topics, making it a valuable resource for space enthusiasts.

Not Sure I Will Head to the Moon Anytime Soon

After doing some research on this topic, I am not sure we are in a place to send ordinary folks like myself to the moon. I am sure it would be amazing, but I will most likely keep my feet on the good old Earth, even if Trump wins the Presidency!

Thanks for reading: Would I Go to the Moon Now on Bunchiesblog! I am not super religious but I am praying for our leaders to figure out how to end all the bloodshed in the Middle East and Ukraine! May cooperation and common sense prevail over destruction and hate! Check out some of my other recent posts below!

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (September 25 Version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com

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