If cost were not an issue and you had the opportunity, would you take a trip to the moon?

[Maru Kitteh]

Forget money. While we're at it, forget any other inconveniences or physical limitations that might hinder your ability to take such a trip.

If you had the chance, would you go?

[MrModerate]

1. Hell, I'd even go in those clunky old deathtraps called "Apollo!" n/t

[Maru Kitteh]

8. So would I! I'd LOVE the chance.

What's the worst that could happen? I can't think of a better way to die.

[Warren DeMontague]

34. Space Shuttle is the deathtrap, actually.

Notwithstanding the Apollo 1 Fire, the Apollo hardware had a pretty good track record.

[MrModerate]

36. The Apollo astronauts were very very very verrrry lucky . . .

If they'd racked up as many flights as the Shuttles, a substantial number of them would have died.

Which is not to say that the Shuttle is *not* a deathtrap. It's so frakkin' complicated that it's a wonder it ever comes back in one piece.

The Shuttle has almost killed manned space flight (to the degree that Earth orbit even counts as "space") because of its incredibly high costs, lavish support demands, lengthy turnaround times, and limited utility. They'd have done much better to have continued sending up Apollo capsules and expended Saturn upper stages and bolting 'em together in orbit.

[Warren DeMontague]

43. Part of the problem with the shuttle is that it was done slapdash.

Had it been a fully funded dual stage to orbit 2-part space plane (one orbiter, one reusuable sub-orbital craft), as originally intended, it would have been a lot safer IMHO. To save $$$, they basically bolted the orbiter onto a cheaper assemblage. Problem is, unlike Apollo, where the crew rides at the top and doesn't have to worry about crap falling off the rocket, you've got the orbiter stuck on the liquid fuel tank which is either going to shed ice or insulation during liftoff- leading to what we saw in 2003.

Say what you will about Apollo, at least they had the escape tower, which at least provided the possibility of saving the crew in the event of a catastrophic failure (i.e. the rocket blowing up)

...and last but not least, I don't think you can examine NASA in the 60s and particularly Apollo & the Saturn V without giving some well-deserved props to Werner Von Braun. He and Korolev were the rocketry giants of the 20th century IMHO.

[BlooInBloo]

45. That's going a bit far. I'd want to go in a ship with a better computer than *I* can make.

[ixion]

2. yep, I sure would

:woohoo:

[patrick t. cakes]

3. id go ...evan if it were on a sound stage

:hide:

[ruggerson]

4. depends on which airline

n/t

[obliviously]

5. Colorado and New Mexico are much more beautiful

about the only part of the moon trip that would be cool is the weightlessness and looking back at the earth. The moon is just a big chunk of Basalt. It would soon get boring!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. No, because I'm a total chickenshit.

But if I weren't, I'd do it.

[MrSlayer]

7. Sure.

Visiting the moon would be pretty cool. I have some things I'd like to try in zero gravity.

[panader0]

9. I live in Arizona. At 4600 feet with trees and views of 9600' mountains,

it's very beautiful. Northeast Arizona has huge forests. Yeah, there are some barren spots.

[Maru Kitteh]

15. I know Arizona is beautiful. I was making a joke about conspiracy theorists.

We are going to Arizona for vacation this winter.

[azmouse]

22. Interesting how they substituted AZ for the moon when they were training

It's lovely here and so I would bet the moon is lovely too!

[lunatica]

10. Hell yeah! To see the cosmos and to see our beautiful planet for real

[scarletwoman]

11. What a gorgeous photo! So beautiful! Thanks for posting it. (nt)

[bdamomma]

39. I would love seeing earth from the moon. a little blue marble.

[imdjh]

12. I voted No. With the current technology it's like driving to California and back in a Yugo.

[timeforpeace]

19. Worse, I'd say.

[imdjh]

20. Yeah, if the Yugo breaks down you can hitch hike. nt

[Maru Kitteh]

21. See, I actually would drive to California and back in a Yugo.

[rug]

13. In 1968 Pan Am started to take reservations for its first lunar flight.

[Ohio Joe]

14. Without hesitation

I imagine there is more than one that would like for me to go as well :P

[Blasphemer]

16. No - now if you tell me that we have encountered intelligent alien life...

THAT would be worth a trip into outerspace.

[doc03]

17. Sure, if it was a round trip n/t

[Maru Kitteh]

24. yeah, I'd be willing to take the inherent risk - but not sign up for a one way unless

something truly monumental (fate of the earth, lives of millions) was on the line.

[timeforpeace]

18. You wouldn't GO to the moon. You would GO into a tin can and stay there for weeks. Wow.

Talk about fun.

[Ikonoklast]

23. I'd leave today.

I'd volunteer for a Mars mission, if they'd have me, in a hot second.

[Justitia]

25. No, because I love the moon in her mysterious state. Scientists can know her, I just want to gaze.

"Sea of Tranquility" says it all.

Full moons every night! Can we do that?

[InvisibleTouch]

26. Of course! n/t

[voc]

27. no way

no air up there.

[Joe the Liberal]

28. Well duh.....

only a fool would pass up that opportunity.

If cost were not an issue I'd do a whole bunch of other things while I'm at it.

[XemaSab]

29. I'd rather go somewhere on earth

Going up in the shuttle for a few days would be cool, though. :)

[JI7]

30. yes, imagine seeing the earth while you are on the moon

[Evoman]

31. I would sell my loved ones to slavery for a chance to go.

okay, maybe not, but I would think about it.

[Cid_B]

32. I would go with a 1/4 chance of making it off the launch pad...

Literally...

[Warren DeMontague]

33. Hell yea. nt

[KillCapitalism]

35. No.

There's nothing exciting about seeing a barren landscape.

I'd prefer a trip to Hawaii.

[Tesha]

37. Yes, if only for the Wensleydale! (NT)

[Robb]

38. ...

[Tesha]

40. ...Got it in one! ;-) (NT)

[Mrs. Overall]

41. No way. I have to have three drinks just to step onto a jet.

[LWolf]

42. No.

I'd take a tour of my own planet instead.

[FatDave]

44. When do we leave and who's driving?

Sure it's risky, but we're all gonna go sometime, so why not go out big?

[JitterbugPerfume]

46. In a heartbeat!

Who could give up an opportunity like that?

[Norrin Radd]

47. Heck yeah! All the free green cheese you can eat.