In 1972, Apollo astronauts Harrison “Jack” Schmitt and Eugene Cernan made history by collecting samples on the moon, marking the end of an era for the American space program. Schmitt, a geologist and one of the few surviving Apollo moonwalkers, envisioned future generations continuing lunar exploration. Now 90, Schmitt expressed excitement about the Artemis II mission, which aims to return humans to the moon and eventually Mars. He emphasized the importance of establishing a lunar base for geopolitical reasons and to gain experience for deeper space exploration. Schmitt believes that the moon’s resources could reduce the cost of Mars missions and that new generations must learn to work in deep space. His insights highlight the ongoing quest to understand the universe and the potential for groundbreaking discoveries.
QUESTION: How might the establishment of a lunar base influence future space exploration and international relations?
Q&A: Apollo astronaut Schmitt talks about getting back to the moon and life in the universe
