The moon. A glowing sentinel in the sky which man has conquered. Yet 50 years ago if someone talked about going there, they would’ve been laughed at. Many people thought Kennedy was a joker when he suggested that idea.
The first mission, Apollo 1, was a disaster. Everybody on board lost their lives when a cable short-circuited. Apollo 11 was the most famous mission. Armstrong’s first words on the moon were famously debated. He said; “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Many listeners realised it should’ve been “one small step for a man.”
The last mission, Apollo 17, was the most successful. The astronauts discovered oxidised sand, but later they realised it was from a volcano that had erupted long ago. So it wasn’t a world shattering event, but science is like that: you have to accept what comes your way.
The Apollo missions had to be stopped due to lack of funds. So, I think that the next logical target should be Mars!
Minal Dharmasena,
Grade 8,
S. Thomas’ College,
Mt. Lavinia.