Lone on the moon?

[carp]

As all we know to the beginning of the 60s three hypotheses were in order to send a man on the moon:1-direct flight , 2-rendez-vous in earth orbit, 3-rendez-vous in lunar orbit .for direct flight were studied various hypotheses :a Gemini equipped for the moon landing, or of anmore small Apollo capsule with two astronauts instead that three.But why not send an ONLY astronaut in direct flight on on lunar surface? One only pilot would have allowed an enormous saving of weight (also in terms of oxygen, equipments, food, water, ecc).In yours opinion It could have worked ? http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/3356/moonwalker19ak.jpg

 

[vulture2]

The soviet LK (Lunar Cabin) http://www.astronautix.com/craft/lk.htm was such a one-man craft, however it was cancelled when it became clear the US would land first. <br /><br />The novel "The Pilgrim Project' which appeared in the Saturday Evening Post in 1964, depicted a one-man strategy for the US to avoid an almost certain first landing by the Soviets. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005XOW7/002-8483169-4252809?v=glance&n=283155<br /><br />However haveing two crewmen aboard increased safety and the amount of work they could do on the surface. The Lunar Orbit Rendezvous gave the Apollo lander sufficient capacity.

 

[alokmohan]

No point risking human life and govyt money.It was right decision.

 

[mlorrey]

Note that the Soviets attempted to land a probe on the Moon at about the same time as Apollo 11, but it crashed.