NASA puts a price on a 2024 Moon landing—$35 billion

[smp]

From Ars Technica:
"Nearly 10 months after Vice President Mike Pence directed NASA to return astronauts to the Moon by 2024, the space agency has estimated how much its Artemis Program will cost. NASA says it will need an additional $35 billion over the next four years—on top of its existing budget—to develop a Human Landing System to get down to the Moon's surface from lunar orbit while also accelerating other programs to make the 2024 date."

https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/02 ... 5-billion/

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[helicon]

Not cheap but probably worth it to get back to the moon after all these years. Hopefully the cost overruns will not be too significant.

[notFritzArgelander]

Not cheap but probably worth it to get back to the moon after all these years. Hopefully the cost overruns will not be too significant.

The expected "normal" overrun is about 25%. I won't complain if they do that well.

[Refractordude]

We have already been to the moon. How about $35 billion for low cost housing. Let the private sector with tax breaks try for another trip to the moon. I bet the private sector could do it for far less than $35 billion.



https://parade.com/643064/beckyhughes/w ... s-the-u-s/

[notFritzArgelander]

We have already been to the moon. How about $35 billion for low cost housing. Let the private sector with tax breaks try for another trip to the moon. I bet the private sector could do it for far less than $35 billion.

https://parade.com/643064/beckyhughes/w ... s-the-u-s/

I think that the high cost is driven by the short schedule. In turn the short schedule is driven by partisan political needs. There are many more pressing policy issues that need attention. Your suggestion is one of several.

Bread and circuses and moon expeditions are means of distracting the public. The 1936 Olympics had a similar function.

[goldstar]

I find myself "flipped" to the other side of the debate on huge spending just to get back to the moon.
As an idealistic supporter of the space race as a youngster in the 60's I had the "Utmost enthusiasm for the mission".
So we've been there, done that and got the moon rocks. And misplaced a few....
Why do we need to repeat it?
Back in those days it was a matter of proving we could do it because we didn't know how to do it and get ahead of the evil Russkies.
There is no doubt we can do it again. We have learned the technology and there is little more we have added to it, indeed the tech advances of those times have brought us to where we are now.
What more science can we learn that's worth it for a paltry $ 35 Bn ? ( I jest here).
The US population of 350 million (man woman and child) each would pay $875 /yr over the four yrs. And factor this up for kids, unemployed/retirees/
and the added burden of politcos and companies who pay zilch tax (if they can get away with it).
Moon, Schmoon!
Come on NASA. Get your feet back on the ground.
Keep doing what you are good at or else get out of the way and let the privateers have a shot.

[AntennaGuy]

We shouldn't merely go there. We should establish a base. Go underground as needed, for radiation protection. Grow some plants and try to "grow food" in the available sunlight. Mine at least some water and oxygen from the rocks. Find out just how difficult it really is to do these things. Perhaps it could look a bit like:
https://live.staticflickr.com/3416/3499 ... eedb_b.jpg
At least some billionaires would be willing to pay to go for a holiday visit, which could defray the costs somewhat.