Jules Verne and H. G. Wells both wrote about it. The first science fiction movie ever made was made about it. Ralph yelled to Alice about it. Sinatra sang about it.
Finally, in 1969, we did it - we went to the moon. In total, astronauts landed on the moon on six separate occasions, the last time in 1972. And while we've talked about going back since then, there haven't been any real plans - until now.
NASA has begun work on a new program to safely return astronauts to the moon by 2020 - and then travel to Mars and beyond. The first mission in this program - the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) - is scheduled to launch at the end of this year to find safe landing sites, locate potential resources, characterize the radiation environment, and demonstrate new technology that can be used on future missions.
Pretty cool. But wouldn't it be even better if there was a way to get involved yourself? Guess what - there is.
While you and I may not be able to make it to the moon in person, NASA is giving everyone the opportunity to send their name to the moon - as part of the LRO mission. It's actually pretty easy -
- Go to the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter web site before June 27, 2008 (that's the last day to enter a name)
- Click on the "Send Your Name To The Moon" link on the right side of the page
- Enter your name and click "Add Name" - then download your certificate
- You're going to the moon!
According to NASA, all the names will be collected and entered into a database that will taken on board the LRO and will remain with it for the duration of the mission.
So head on over and get signed up, space cowboy - and know that you (or at least your name) will be on board when the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter blasts off. Just be sure to sign up before June 27, or it'll be too late.
BTW - you know those high-resolution images the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will be taking of the lunar surface? Just guess whose image sensors they will be using in those cameras...