alt Hacker NewsOver a period from 1960 to 1969:
> Landing humans on the Moon by the end of 1969 required the most sudden burst of technological creativity, and the largest commitment of resources ($25 billion; $187 billion in 2024 US dollars)[24] ever made by any nation in peacetime. At its peak, the Apollo program employed 400,000 people and required the support of over 20,000 industrial firms and universities.[25]
A large chunk of those industries and supporting academia no longer exist in the US outside the defense sector.
Replies
marshray • today at 4:52 AM
Obviously I was asking about the lifespan of an individual undocumented change, not the entire Apollo program prior to 1970.
I remain in awe at the Apollo program, it is a most marvellous thing, and I am aware that it was not always received well at the time.
Comparing the cost, the Iran war cost the US between 25 billion and 113 billion, so 187 spending billion over 9 years is not insurmountable. Political will provided. Alas.