Last Man On The Moon

Gene Cernan, the last man that landed on the moon has passed at the age of 82.  This is sad in several ways.  First off, the obvious, he was well liked and my condolences go to his family.  But on another aspect, it shows that no one has been on back to the moon for over 40 years.  I had hoped we would go back again, but after the Space Shuttle program was canceled without a replacement, I don't think we ever will if things continue on their current path.  And that is a shame.

It is a shame because we learned a lot during the Apollo missions, and the missions before it.  About our planet, about the moon, and much of the everyday technology we now enjoy came out of those programs.  Our computers would never have advanced to the level that we have now, freeze dried foods wouldn't have been developed, and even scratch resistant lenses came out of the Space Race.  But there is so much more.

I realize manned space exploration is dangerous and extremely expensive.  However, we also get a lot out of it.  Some may say that there are more important issues here on Earth.  While I agree, you need look at all the benefits we use each and every day that came out of our conquest of space.  In the end, it all comes back and we are better for it.

As a science fiction author that dreams about the future, Cernan's passing feels like we ran into a large sign saying DEAD END.  While our stories will never stop, I think we as a race need to take up the gauntlet once again and do the impossible.  Go back to the moon, then after we get that down pat, expand from there.  To simply put, nothing worthwhile happens unless you try.  The choice is ours, and I hope we chose wisely.


Don DeBon is the author of Red Warp, Time Rock, Soulmates, and The Husband. Currently available on Kindle, Nook, iBooks, Kobo, Smashwords, and other retailers.