There was wild cheering at the sight of that first footprint in another world. We were all keenly aware that history was being made, and considered ourselves fortunate to be part of that proud generation. Today, more than a quarter century later, circumstances have changed. The political and military imperatives that fueled the Apollo program no longer exist. The national focus is on other priorities.
Space exploration continues, but at a much reduced level.
Human settlement on the Moon, at one time thought to be imminent, is at best a distant prospect. And the age old dream of astronomers, to be able to observe with a telescope on the Moon, appears to be an unattainable target. Well, maybe not. The brief answer is that the Moon is the best possible observing site anywhere within our reach in the solar system. A lunar night lasts more than 350 hours.