[RPKESQ]

I am surprised there are so many negative opinions on this subject. I suspect many do not realize the initial stimulus for the space race (for that is what it was) was fear. Fear that the Russians would gain the military (technology) high ground. Oh the public was sold a bill of goods about good old American values, but the government knew exactly what it was really about.

Without the Cold War, the manned Moon landings would not have happened. Period. Full stop.

We as a nation are perfectly capable to return to the Moon or go to Mars. Sure it will take time to build the required infrastructure. It did before. But are we capable of it? No question at all. Is there a good reason to develop manned exploration? Not that I have discovered. Robotic ability is increasing at an rapid pace the last few years.

Does any Nation have the political will to pursue manned missions to the Moon or Mars without the threat of a technology race induced by military threats? Possibly, but I would predict a consortium of Nations is more plausible than an individual Nation.

China, Russia, India, Japan, France, Britain, Germany and the US are all capable of developing a manned Moon landing missions alone. But I doubt that unless a block of past adversaries attempt it, none will attempt it alone (possible exception of China).