How much would you pay to go to the moon?
Five hundred years ago we were circumnavigating the globe for the first time. Only fifty-five years ago, going to the Moon meant for humanity the crossing of another huge new frontier. And we did cross it (or did we?). “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Now we are planning sending astronauts to Mars and telescopes and probes are all over the solar system. As is only natural of us, we are always trying to explore new horizons. But why pay millions for a free ride?
Not for everyone
This is not for everyone though. Billionaires maybe can go as far as where officially starts Earth orbit. But to the rest of us it is virtually impossible to have the experience of going into the space. What can we do then? At least speaking for myself, we can exercise the time honored practice of storytelling. As a species we instinctively share in these adventures through imagination. And guess what? This is a free ride (or almost free).
The Great Moon Hoax
Before Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed in the Moon, going there was the realm only of speculative science fiction. Many authors have tried their hand on it. Edgar Allan Poe was one of the pioneers. He published in June of 1835 a tale in the Southern Literary Messenger, The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall. He intended it to be a hoax but the deception was short lived, another hoax stole his thunder. His editor at the time, Richard A. Locke, published later in the same year a series of articles in what became known as the Great Moon Hoax. Through a powerful telescope it was possible to verify that there was inhabitants on the Moon, they claimed. This included bison, single horned goats, mini zebras, unicorns and bat-like winged humanoids.
From the Earth to the Moon
These events inspired Jules Verne to write From the Earth to the Moon and its sequel Round The Moon. Surely, he even mentions the short story by Edgar Allan Poe. Three adventurers are sent aboard a hollow cannonball in what was expected to be a trip to the Moon. But the projectile fails to land and just orbits it instead. Finally, hey are propelled back, rescued at sea and widely celebrated as the first humans to leave the Earth. Well, not even in fiction they were capable of landing on the Moon, why would I in real life?
Fly Me to the Moon
Speaking of hoaxes, there are some people who believes no man have landed in the Moon at all. There’s a recent movie that explores that idea, Fly Me to the Moon. It is on my list, now it’s a good opportunity to watch it! It can give me solace of not being able to go there myself.