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Original poster

To think millions of litres of fuel shouldn't be wasted on sending a rocket to the moon

392 replies

Viviennemary · 31/03/2026 22:55

With this current fuel crisis it's total madness sending a rocket to the moon. What is the point. Nobody is even going to land on the moon. Doubt therei s any oil on the moon.

OP posts:
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5
KimberleyClark · 01/04/2026 08:46

PistachioTiramisu · 01/04/2026 08:38

I find it a bit sad that there is such a general lack of interest in space exploration now, notwithstanding the fuel argument. I remember in the space travel heyday, most people were genuinely excited and looked upon the whole thing with awe. We were glued to the TV for updates and pictures which the astronauts sent back. The picture of earthrise from the moon is truly beautiful and makes you realise just how insignificant we are!!

Yes and that photo did a huge amount to raise environmental awareness.

To think millions of litres of fuel shouldn't be wasted on sending a rocket to the moon
PistachioTiramisu · 01/04/2026 08:38

I find it a bit sad that there is such a general lack of interest in space exploration now, notwithstanding the fuel argument. I remember in the space travel heyday, most people were genuinely excited and looked upon the whole thing with awe. We were glued to the TV for updates and pictures which the astronauts sent back. The picture of earthrise from the moon is truly beautiful and makes you realise just how insignificant we are!!

sittingonabeach · 01/04/2026 08:33

Is space travel good for the environment? Are we not leaving a lot of debris up there?

the80sweregreat · 01/04/2026 08:31

I doubt we will be around in millions of years time the way it’s going. Man has messed up Earth, now they fancy a go at living on Mars and messing that up as well :(
Sort out the many problems here before going off to the moon again.

maudelovesharold · 01/04/2026 08:26

I am curious about space and the universe, but I think it’s difficult to justify spending billions on such an enterprise when there is so much poverty and suffering on our own planet. Also, all that will happen, realistically, is that we will carve up and despoil any other planet we get our hands on, the same way we have fucked up Earth.

KimberleyClark · 01/04/2026 07:37

JemimaTiggywinkles · 01/04/2026 01:15

Anyone who is opposed to space exploration lacks normal human curiosity imo. Why the heck don’t you want to know more about the universe? Every small child looks up and shows interest in the stars - it is a normal part of being human to ask questions about what we see up there.

Space travel is expensive and takes lots of brain power? Except that it doesn’t really, not when you look comparatively. NASA currently costs 0.35% of US federal spending. They employ fewer than 14k people (out of 170M workers in the US). These are actually depressingly low amounts.

Speaking as a fully paid up space nerd, who watched the moon landings on TV as a child, I agree.

And I will be happy to have a POTUS who has actually seen the earth from space and fully understands how fragile it is and how humanity transcends international boundaries, should Mark Kelly be elected.

PleaseAccepyMyUserNames · 01/04/2026 07:37

Viviennemary · 31/03/2026 23:16

Ok thanks. So when there's no petrol at the pumps we can't blame the astronauts. But I still think its a huge waste of money and brainpower.

Show quote history

Depends...... There are many who believe the future of humanity lies in our ability to colonise another planet.
I'm not remotely interested in space travel, but the general gist is human potential and evolution, with only the resources and genetic diversity available on earth, is finite.
So we won't see any benefits, true, but potentially our ancestors 10,000 years on will be grateful. Or so the theory goes

Flannelfeet · 01/04/2026 07:33

Omg I now have bloody Elton John's rocket man as an ear worm 😪.

GeneralPeter · 01/04/2026 07:33

sittingonabeach · 01/04/2026 00:41

@Creativeher do you not think those things would have been invented anyway

Let’s say there were, but five years later for each one.

The value to the UK economy alone from GPS is estimated at £290bn/year. That’s about ten times NASA’s annual budget, or about the same as the entire Apollo programme (in today’s money).

EasternStandard · 01/04/2026 07:30

Not just that but the cost of it.

1000StrawberryLollies · 01/04/2026 07:29

Viviennemary · 31/03/2026 23:16

Ok thanks. So when there's no petrol at the pumps we can't blame the astronauts. But I still think its a huge waste of money and brainpower.

Show quote history

🙄 Brainpower doesn't get used up like petrol though, does it? Incidentally, it wouldn't have taken much brainpower to look up how rockets are fuelled before complaining about petrol shortages!

HelpMeGetThrough · 01/04/2026 07:26

Orangy · 31/03/2026 23:18

Could they get an EV rocket?

I’m not charging that bugger up at my house!!

the80sweregreat · 01/04/2026 07:24

Why are they going up there again ? Agree with people saying it’s a waste of time and money.

WalkDontWalk · 01/04/2026 07:18

LlynTegid · 01/04/2026 07:11

Liquid hydrogen could be used somewhere for other purposes.

I doubt there is much scientific knowledge with real world applications to be gained from the space mission.

https://d2pn8kiwq2w21t.cloudfront.net/original_images/infographicsuploadsinfographicsfull11358.jpg

https://d2pn8kiwq2w21t.cloudfront.net/original_images/infographicsuploadsinfographicsfull11358.jpg

LittleCrumblyBiscuit · 01/04/2026 07:18

LlynTegid · 01/04/2026 07:11

Liquid hydrogen could be used somewhere for other purposes.

I doubt there is much scientific knowledge with real world applications to be gained from the space mission.

I think I read somewhere that the absorbent gel substance used inside sanitary towels and incontinence pads was developed initially for astronauts. It’s not just the big things that can be improved along the way.

WalkDontWalk · 01/04/2026 07:15

Meadowfinch · 31/03/2026 22:59

I'm with you OP. I've never seen the point of space travel. It's a massively expensive and dangerous enterprise for little or no return.

I feel the same about skiing.

LlynTegid · 01/04/2026 07:11

Liquid hydrogen could be used somewhere for other purposes.

I doubt there is much scientific knowledge with real world applications to be gained from the space mission.

Pricelessadvice · 01/04/2026 07:08

Meadowfinch · 31/03/2026 22:59

I'm with you OP. I've never seen the point of space travel. It's a massively expensive and dangerous enterprise for little or no return.

Totally agree with this.
There are children starving to death in the world and we spend billions sending men into space in a tin can.
Ive always found it strange.

Narwhalsh · 01/04/2026 07:08

There is categorically no oil on the moon. The moon was formed before the beginning of life on earth and organic matter is required for oil generation. But as has already been discussed this isn’t the goal of the mission

JoeTheDrummer · 01/04/2026 07:06

JemimaTiggywinkles · 01/04/2026 01:15

Anyone who is opposed to space exploration lacks normal human curiosity imo. Why the heck don’t you want to know more about the universe? Every small child looks up and shows interest in the stars - it is a normal part of being human to ask questions about what we see up there.

Space travel is expensive and takes lots of brain power? Except that it doesn’t really, not when you look comparatively. NASA currently costs 0.35% of US federal spending. They employ fewer than 14k people (out of 170M workers in the US). These are actually depressingly low amounts.

I do want to know about space, but I don’t think $24 billion should be spent on it per year when there’s more pressing issues on Earth. Let’s sort our own planet out first.

Allelbowsandtoes · 01/04/2026 07:04

InterestedDad37 · 31/03/2026 23:48

How else are we going to be certain about what kind of cheese the moon is made of? 🤔 🚀 🧑‍🚀 🌛🧀

Ask wallace and gromit surely? 👀

LittleCrumblyBiscuit · 01/04/2026 07:03

When we’ve used up all the resources we have on Earth, we are fucked. Exponential growth within a finite system inevitably leads to collapse. Space exploration is possibly a way to unlock resources from elsewhere to save our species? Plus the research and development into it often gives rise to inventions and discoveries that can benefit us here.

Honestly though I think it’s too late. I can’t see us developing the technology fast enough to get there in time. Fingers crossed though 🤞😆

JoeTheDrummer · 01/04/2026 07:00

diamondradicchio · 01/04/2026 00:43

Nobody is even going to land on the moon.

What do you mean by this?

Artemis II is orbiting the moon, not landing on it.

tnorfotkcab · 01/04/2026 06:50

LycheeFizz1972 · 31/03/2026 23:34

I am baffled by this space stuff - what is the point? And how can it possibly justify the money being spent on it?

The money is small fry compared to the money and resulting damage to economy they're spending on a pointless war right now...

Coconutter24 · 01/04/2026 06:50

Viviennemary · 31/03/2026 23:16

Ok thanks. So when there's no petrol at the pumps we can't blame the astronauts. But I still think its a huge waste of money and brainpower.

Show quote history

You think it’s a waste of money and brain power because you have no idea what they’re doing, don’t understand any of it and I’m guessing have no interest in space research.