5 Reasons Why We Need a New Moon Landing Today
Lately, we’ve been hearing more and more about various countries planning to send humans back to the Moon. And at this point, a reasonable taxpayer might wonder: “Why? We've already been there – brought back lunar soil, planted a few flags, even played some golf. Wasn’t that enough? Shouldn’t we just skip ahead to Mars?” Well, here’s why returning to the Moon makes more sense.
Contents
- Reason 1: The Moon exploration isn’t over – there’s a lot worth digging for
- Reason 2: We could build a huge telescope on the Moon
- Reason 3: The next Moon mission will inspire new scientists and engineers
- Reason 4: The next Moon mission will spur new technologies you might get to use
- Reason 5: The Moon can make a nice stepping stone to Mars
- Moon landing: F.A.Q
- Why we need a Moon landing today: Bottom line
Reason 1: The Moon exploration isn’t over – there’s a lot worth digging for
We’re not just going back for the view – we’re going back for the Moon’s resources. Deep in its craters and soil, the Moon holds things that are useful both for life in space and here on Earth:
- Water ice, which can be turned into drinking water, breathable air, and rocket fuel – without the huge cost of launching it all from Earth;
- Rare-earth metals, used in everything from smartphones to solar panels;
- Helium-3, a rare isotope that could provide safe, non-radioactive nuclear fusion energy.
But before we can use these resources, we need to explore more, map the surface, and figure out what’s really there and how to reach it.
Can’t we just send more robots?
We’ve already sent more than 105 robotic spacecraft to explore the Moon, and some of them are still working right now. Current lunar missions like Chang’e, Chandrayaan, KPLO, and LRO are constantly mapping, scanning, and analyzing the Moon’s surface. They’re providing valuable data, from mineral maps to potential landing zones.
But as powerful as robots are, they have limits. Rovers can scan, drill, and analyze, but they’re slow and follow pre-programmed routines. They can only carry a limited set of instruments and don’t always “see” the bigger picture. A trained astronaut on the ground can spot something unusual, make fast decisions, and collect the most valuable samples. During Apollo, we’ve only scratched the surface, literally. With new crewed Moon missions and better tools, we can uncover a lot more.
Reason 2: We could build a huge telescope on the Moon
If we want to build the most powerful telescope ever, the Moon might be the ideal spot, and here’s why:
- The Moon has a very thin and weak atmosphere. This means no weather, no wind, and no air layer to blur or scatter the light from distant stars – none of the problems that astronomers often experience here on Earth.
- The gravity on the Moon is one-sixth of Earth's. It makes it easier to construct massive instruments.
- Earth is constantly buzzing with radio waves – from cell towers, satellites, TV broadcasts, and even microwaves. That makes it hard to detect the faintest signals from deep space. But the far side of the Moon is naturally shielded, blocking Earth’s electromagnetic noise and creating one of the quietest spots in the entire Solar System for radio astronomy.
Together, these conditions make it possible to build telescopes that are bigger, sharper, and more sensitive than anything we’ve ever launched.
Sounds cool, but… what’s the purpose?
Simple: the bigger the telescope, the more we can discover. A lunar observatory, especially one on the far side, could help us:
- Detect faint exoplanets and analyze their atmospheres for signs of life;
- Look deep into the cosmic “dark ages”, a time before the first stars lit up the Universe;
- Use low-frequency radio waves to study the primordial hydrogen clouds – the stuff that formed the first stars and galaxies.
Aren’t space telescopes like Hubble and James Webb enough?
They’re incredible, but have their limits. Hubble orbits Earth, and James Webb circles the Sun near the second Lagrange point (L2), where it stays cold and shaded. But both are still close enough to be affected by Earth’s gravity and electromagnetic noise. A telescope on the Moon – especially on its far side – would be more stable and completely isolated. It’s the ideal spot for detecting the quietest signals from the farthest reaches of the Universe.
Hubble changed how we see the universe, and it did that from low Earth orbit. Imagine what we could discover with a next-generation observatory on the Moon. If we want the clearest, deepest view of space ever, the front-row seat is waiting on the lunar surface.
Reason 3: The next Moon mission will inspire new scientists and engineers
It’s often said that Apollo sparked a whole generation of astronauts, scientists, and engineers. Some of today’s space professionals agree:
- Eileen Collins, the first female pilot of a NASA mission, remembers how Apollo shaped her mindset: “If we can put a man on the Moon by the end of the decade, of course we can do A, B, and C”.
- Mike Massimino, former NASA astronaut, said watching Armstrong and Aldrin walk on the Moon as a kid set his path: “For me, I idolized the astronauts. I thought they were even cooler than athletes. They were rock stars.”
- Bill Nye, a prominent science communicator, credited the Apollo mission with inspiring his career in engineering: “It wasn’t the path that I chose; it was the path that just opened for me because of this extraordinary achievement”.
With the Artemis program and further manned lunar missions, we’re about to get high-definition, almost real-time footage from the Moon’s surface – something Apollo never had. It could inspire kids, teens, and even adults who’ve never thought of space or science as something for them.
If you’re feeling that spark already, why not ignite it with our Firsts in Space quiz? You might be surprised by just how many milestones humanity has already crossed – from the first moonwalk to the first interstellar spacecraft.
Yeah, but where are all these inspired people going to work?
Moon missions don’t just make headlines – they create entire industries. A return to the Moon will drive demand for:
- Robotics and AI for autonomous vehicles and equipment;
- 3D printing and advanced materials for building habitats and tools;
- Clean energy tech, space medicine, life support systems, and more!
And it doesn’t stop with space agencies. These efforts extend to universities, startups, construction, education, software development, and manufacturing. And with that surge in talent and opportunity comes something even bigger: a wave of new technologies that could change the way we live, both in space and back home.
Reason 4: The next Moon mission will spur new technologies you might get to use
Getting humans to the Moon – and keeping them alive there – pushes science and engineering to their limits. And when that happens, amazing things tend to follow. In fact, we’re still benefiting from technology that came out of Apollo-era problem-solving.
Hm, can’t see any space technologies around
Sure, you can. What about the phone in your hand? Dozens of technologies originally developed for Moon missions have quietly made their way into everyday life. Think:
- Handheld computers, the ancestors of modern smartphones;
- Insulin pumps, built on tech made to monitor astronaut health;
- Freeze-dried food, for hiking, emergencies, or just long shelf life;
- The flame-retardant fabrics, which are now used by firefighters around the world;
- A special super insulation, developed to keep astronauts alive in space, is now tucked into the walls of buildings, MRI machines, winter gear – even your phone case.
Space tech doesn’t just stay in space. It ends up in your pocket, your home, and your life, often without you even realizing it. And it’s not just the lunar missions. Technologies tested aboard the International Space Station – such as advanced air and water purification systems – are now helping to provide clean water in places where it’s desperately needed. Take our ISS quiz and see how well you know the science lab floating 400 kilometers above your head.
Reason 5: The Moon can make a nice stepping stone to Mars
The Moon isn’t the final destination, but it’s the smartest place to start. Future lunar missions will help us:
- Master landing and takeoff in low gravity;
- Learn how to live and work in a reduced-gravity environment;
- Use mobile vehicles to search for water ice, which can be turned into drinking water or split into hydrogen fuel;
- Set up and supply a space outpost that can support longer stays.
But why not go straight to Mars?
Before we take that leap, it makes sense to build up experience somewhere closer to home. Mars is often imagined as humanity’s future home – and one day, that might be true. But getting there is a whole different challenge. It’s over 200 times farther than the Moon, which means longer trips, delayed communication, and no quick returns in case of emergency. Launch opportunities only come every two years, and astronauts would have to stay there for many months. The Moon is just three days away – close enough to test everything and troubleshoot when things go wrong.
Moon landing: F.A.Q
When are we going back to the Moon?
The first step has already been taken: NASA’s Artemis I launched in November 2022, sending an uncrewed Orion spacecraft around the Moon and back in a successful 25-day mission. The next big milestone, Artemis II, is planned for 2026 and will carry astronauts on a similar flight. A crewed landing is expected with Artemis III in 2027, followed by long-term base-building missions later in the decade. China Manned Space Agency is also aiming to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030.
Are people planning to establish a lunar colony?
Not quite a colony, but we’re definitely planning to stay. For example, NASA is planning to build a permanent lunar base camp near the Moon’s South Pole. This outpost would serve as a science lab, a testbed for new technologies, and a stepping stone for future missions to Mars.
Why is the possible Moon landing site located on the Moon’s South Pole?
NASA is aiming for the Moon’s South Pole because it’s one of the most promising – and scientifically exciting – places to land. This region contains craters that never see sunlight, where water ice has been confirmed. That ice could be a crucial resource for future missions, providing drinking water, breathable oxygen, and even rocket fuel. The South Pole is also a goldmine for lunar geology. Exploring it could help scientists better understand the Moon’s history and how to use its resources.
Was the Moon landing in 1969 fake?
No, it was real, and this fact is backed by overwhelming scientific, photographic, and physical evidence. Anyway, the conspiracy theories make great reading. Explore the most common Moon landing myths (and the science that disproves them) in our article.
Are there people on the Moon right now?
Not yet. The last humans on the Moon were the Apollo 17 astronauts in 1972. Since then, all missions have been robotic.
How many people have been to the Moon?
In total, 12 people have walked on the Moon across six crewed missions. Their footprints are still there – and could stay for millions of years, thanks to the Moon’s lack of wind and weather. Oh, and there’s also a man buried on the Moon. He wasn’t an astronaut, but he always dreamed of becoming one. Curious? Check out our infographic of strange but true Moon facts!
Why we need a Moon landing today: Bottom line
We’ve already walked on the Moon. Planted flags. Brought back rocks. Played a little golf. But that was just the prologue. This time, we’re going back not to repeat the past, but to build something new. On the Moon, we’ll learn how to live off Earth, test the technologies that could take us to Mars, and push science in directions we’ve only dreamed of. So, going back to the Moon isn’t a step backward; it’s the run-up before the next giant leap.
