Hi All,
Many thanks for your replies everyone and taking the time to give your thoughts.
Most probably noticed I didn't place my opinion up front. That was mainly because I didn't merely want a bunch who would agree with my thoughts and others then be afraid to comment -- I really wanted to know what others thought.
Here's my thoughts: I think it is a poor idea -- at first glance the proposal seems a sensible and appropriate way to commemorate the accomplishments of a great man -- Armstrong himself and the mass of people that all made contributions to the Apollo programme but just a few minutes thought provides a host of reasons that I think argue convincingly against it.
(1) There's already a memorial there. Most people don't realise it, but a plaque exists, attached to the lander that remains that commemorates the three astronauts who were part of the mission. Here's a picture:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A11.plaque.jpg
and it has on it already most things the proposal for the new monument outlines.
(2) It would involve disturbing the site. The proposal calls for it to be erected on site -- at the exact place they landed. Already there are well-developed proposals to make the Apollo mission artefacts, the material left on the Moon by the astronauts and landing sites protected from disturbance by future generations. And rightly I think. These are incredibly important historical sites in the history of the human race --they should be preserved from further human interference for as long as we are able. That includes more footprints, rocket-motor blasts, additional material etc etc. They should be left preserved for eternity -- so far as humanity can manage anyway.
(3) What is the point in a memorial that in all likelihood, no one will ever see again? Surely we are better off with a memorial here, with (if appropriate and the families approve) some of the remains of Armstrong and Aldrin (when the time comes) that also incorporates some of the rocks and regolith they returned from Mare Tranquillitatis. Instead of interning Armstrong on Mare Tranquillitatis, let's intern a little bit of Mare Tranquillitatis with him. People can then actually access the memorial, see the material and perhaps be inspired by it, rather than having a memorial no one in all probability will ever see again. How can a memorial on the Moon, inspire people here to emulate Armstrong's accomplishments?
(4) Cost. Yes I know standing there all by itself that word seems crass when we talk about a memorial, but think seriously about about the real cost here. It will probably, in real terms, cost more to return a bit of Armstrong to Mare Tranquillitatis than it did to send him as part of Apollo in the first place. The cheapest way it could probably be accomplished is from a Moon base (assuming we ever have one) a decade or two in the future and a journey of probably over 1000km (plus return) from the base to the Apollo artefacts. Cost -- at least many 10's of millions of dollars. If it were done as a a part (a component) of a mission from Earth, you can probably multiply that figure 10 fold at least -- maybe even more than 1 billion dollars -- to put a small stone and a part of his ashes at the site. Cost effective ?? No I don't think so.
Yes they sent a little of Clyde Tombaugh to Pluto but that was on a mission that was already going, not a new mission just to accomplish that. Yes they sent a bit of Gene Shoemaker to the Moon (more correctly crashed it on the Moon) but again, that was on a mission that was on the way anyway. Do we want to destroy or damage the Apollo artefacts in situ by crashing a bit of Armstrong wrapped in a rock into it ? No I don't think so. Bit counter-productive I think!
I seriously believe Armstrong would be appalled by any cost being incurred to put a memorial there -- even if if it could be done without disturbing the scene. He knew as well as any of us the severe budget constraints NASA is under and I think he would want the money spent on ... actual science. Not doing some stone-masonry on Mare Tranquillitatis.
Sure, name the first Moon base for Armstrong, create some engineering scholarships in aeronautics in his name, there's a plethora of other things to do with that money that is much better than spending a huge sum of money to put a small commemorative item on the Moon, where no one will ever see it again -- and when there's already one there.
'Nuff said.
Best,
Les D
