Surprising Reasons Why NASA Never Returned to Moon Since 1972

What lies inside the moon remains there.

Neil Armstrong, as the world knows him, was the first man to ever step foot on the moon. Who sent him? United States-based space research center NASA. However, one might expect more frequent moon landings in the years to follow after the first step. This sadly was not the case.

Since the first turned out to very well be the last step the United States would take on the moon. But why? Why despite having the technology for it, NASA never returned to the moon?

Politics at Play Behind NASA and space research

A tale as old as time itself is the heavy influence of politics on an institution that seems entirely separate from it: Science. Yes, that is correct and politicians themselves vouch for it.

To elaborate further, recently US President Joe Biden appointed the new administrator of NASA. Then it was the president who released images caught from the James Webb Telescope. However, despite this public display of support, could more sinister motives be at play? Surprisingly, in 2019, the former administrator of NASA, Jim Bridenstine made quite a controversial statement.

He reportedly said that if there were not as many political reasons, NASA would have not only gone to the moon but explored mars as well. Here, I would like to add that Bridenstine was replaced by an administrator chosen by the President himself.

Moreover, another speculation that makes political reason top the list is that the United States might be under political pressure from powers bigger than it, as in other countries. Could that be the case though? Could scandal be brewing behind the US politics discouraging NASA or could there be another reason?

A Giant Lie

Suspicion surrounding the first moon landing As it is, many people do not believe that NASA landed on the moon even once. They think that the moon landing of 1969 was nothing but a complete hoax.

So, how could NASA ‘return’ to the moon when it has never even been there in the first place?

To me, this sounds far-fetched since it is not easy to fool the entire world. Also, the rocket launch was televised live across the world.

Aliens in Hiding?

NASA might be keeping alien existence on the moon under wrap Now this reason is a conspiracy theorist’s field day and the inspiration behind numerous Hollywood science fiction movies.

This is an alluring theory, one so attractive that China almost thought it to be true. It is believed that an image captured by the Chinese space rover “YUTU” captured the image of a ‘mysterious hut on the moon.’

Unfortunately, this was a misunderstanding since the ‘hut’ turned out to be a rock on the edge of a crater. Little did that rock know that it has rocked the entire world of space enthusiasts and conspiracy theorists.

So, the possibility that there are actual aliens whom NASA does not want to run into contributes to why it has not returned to the moon for the past almost 50 years.

Aliens Find a Way to Earth or Have They Always Been Here? Apparently, NASA has not returned to the moon because they keep aliens captive on Earth.

Not only are there aliens on Earth, but they discourage NASA to go back to the moon. I suggest we take this with a pinch of salt though. But still, how could the Americans portray aliens in their sources of entertainment without ever having seen one?

A Literal Deathtrap?

This is alarmingly one of the easily believable theories for why NASA has not returned to the moon. This is a fear that spaceships sent to the moon are never safe.

The surface of the moon is littered with large craters and huge holes. This makes landing a very difficult issue. Moreover, all these craters are caused by the impacts of meteors striking the moon’s surface.

So, despite sending rovers or satellites to explore and predict the moon’s condition, scientists could never be sure. What if a meteor hits after the craft lands?

What happens if the spacecraft cannot land properly? These are questions no astronaut would want to find the answer to. This increases the risk involved with space journeys. So, even if NASA loved research on the moon, it would definitely want to come back.

End of the Cold War ..a plausible reason?

Initially, the desire to land on the moon was fuelled by the United States’ competition with Russia. With its end, it essentially put an end to NASA’s ambition. This was due to the fact that Russia was equally advanced and could send its astronauts to space too.

However, once the US won the cold war there was no reason to prove it was better than Russia. So, the drive to further investigate and explore the moon died down and NASA did not return to the moon.

Budgetary Issues

Trips to the Moon are Expensive Billions of dollars need to be invested for one successful launch to the moon. Since many specialists like aeronautical engineers, mathematicians, programmers, etc need to be hired thereby the cost of labor increases.

Moreover, the budget allocation that gave 4% to NASA has been cut it back to 0.4%. Which shows how the government is not being fiscally flexible when it comes to going to the moon. Hence, NASA could not afford an expedition to the moon.

Are billionaires footing the Bill?

Another speculation is that billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are funding missions to the moon. So, why would NASA with its meager funds make any effort?

It would be more affordable to just buy a seat on Musk’s space shuttle than to build one with government-provided subsidies or grants. Is that it then? Or is the reason something else?

Slim picking and the science slump

Nowadays, children are not inclined toward studying outer space. A survey in America even found kids prefer being YouTubers to anything else. This shows they want the quick route to fame rather than work hard for it.

So, when children don’t opt for the field they could not add to NASA’s workforce. Moreover, the average age at NASA’s Johnson Space Station is closer to 60.

This leaves little room for modernist creativity and innovation. As a worker at NASA, Rusty Shwickheart points out that NASA lacks the excitement and creativity of young recruits. So could that be it?

Many Unsettling reasons for me!

Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: NASA has not returned to the moon since the 1900s. For almost 50 years, it has not once launched an exploration.

Scientists believe that the moon has potential as a rendezvous or refueling point for major expeditions. Other than this, they have not found many practical reasons to return to the moon.

However bizarre and unsettling the reasons for the sound, which one do you believe rings most true? This article is based on speculations, penny for your thoughts?