The Moon's Elusive Return: Unraveling the Complexities
The Moon, once a symbol of American triumph, now eludes our grasp. In this article, we delve into the intriguing question: Why has it taken so long for the United States to return to the Moon, a feat accomplished decades ago?
The 'Deep State' and Its Discontents series on American Purpose explores this very issue. Today, we're sharing an insightful installment with all Persuasion readers, delving into the challenges faced by NASA and the decline of American state capacity.
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For All Mankind: A Reminder of Apollo's Glory
The Apple TV series, For All Mankind, offers an alternative history of the Apollo space program. It imagines a world where the Soviets reached the Moon first, and the Nixon administration's response was a rapid acceleration of the Apollo missions. This show not only highlights the ambition and risks of the original Apollo program but also serves as a stark reminder of the incredible achievements of the past.
The Decline of American State Capacity
NASA's struggles to return to the Moon are a symptom of a larger issue. American state capacity, once a force to be reckoned with, has declined significantly since the 1960s. The Apollo program, which landed a man on the Moon in just eight years, was a pinnacle of American government prowess. It followed a series of remarkable achievements, from the Hoover Dam to the Second World War victory, showcasing the nation's ability to tackle complex projects.
However, recent times have seen a decline. Tech giants race to build AI data centers, and the military remains formidable, but other government sectors struggle. From high-speed rail to healthcare.gov, the challenges are evident. NASA, too, faces this capacity crisis. Why is it so difficult and costly to replicate a mission accomplished 50 years ago?
Artemis: A Troubled Journey
Artemis, NASA's latest attempt to return to the Moon, has a complex history. Following the Columbia disaster, President George W. Bush set a goal to return to the Moon by 2020. The Artemis program, originally named Constellation, aimed to use leftover components from the Space Shuttle. However, this program faced funding issues and was deemed fiscally unsustainable by a commission led by Norm Augustine.
The Obama administration proposed a different approach with the Commercial Crew program. This program invited bids from private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin, offering fixed-cost contracts for spacecraft design and operation. It aimed to encourage efficiency and speed. But this initiative faced opposition from Congress, particularly from states and contractors involved in the Constellation program.
A compromise was reached, leading to the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion capsule. Despite good intentions, SLS faced underfunding and technical challenges. Rebranded as Artemis, it continues to suffer delays and cost overruns. An uncrewed Artemis I mission finally launched successfully in 2022, but the journey to send astronauts around the Moon with Artemis II is still ongoing.
The Success of Commercial Crew
While Artemis struggles, the Commercial Crew program has proven its worth. Both Boeing and SpaceX received contracts, but SpaceX's Crew Dragon has flown almost 70 people in numerous manned and cargo missions. Boeing, on the other hand, faced failures with its Starliner, delivering astronauts to the International Space Station but stranding them there for months. Despite Starliner's issues, the concept of competition in fixed-price contracting has been successful.
State Capture and NASA's Dysfunction
NASA's failure to return to the Moon timely is not solely due to a decline in internal capacity. The real issue is 'state capture,' where Congress dictates funding and direction. NASA's administrators and engineers remain competent, but the problem lies with the political mandates they must follow. The decline in capacity might be attributed to old-school industrial giants like Boeing, which has faced management issues.
Complacency and Loss of Focus
The United States' struggle to return to the Moon is also a result of complacency and a lack of national focus. After the successful Moon landing, the nation shifted its attention to routine space travel with the Space Shuttle program. This shift lacked the inspiration of the Apollo program and failed to achieve its goals of making space travel cheap, routine, and safe, as evidenced by the Columbia and Challenger accidents.
Lack of Public Interest and Competition
NASA's objective to return to the Moon has not sparked widespread public interest. The series For All Mankind suggests that competition with the Soviet Union drove investment in the Moon program. Today, competition with China might serve a similar purpose, but it hasn't materialized. Perhaps Americans are intimidated by China's achievements, such as building the world's largest high-speed rail network in a decade.
The Broader Problem of Declining State Capacity
The challenges faced by the Artemis program and NASA's Moon mission are indicative of a broader issue. NASA is constrained by political mandates, with Congress prioritizing local employment and reelection over innovative goals. Conservatives often complain about 'unelected bureaucrats,' but in NASA's case, it's the elected officials who are implementing an agenda at odds with the experts.
The Apollo program succeeded because NASA had a clear, single mandate and the freedom to achieve it. Today, NASA faces numerous political barriers and a lack of funding, hindering its ability to restore state capacity.
Restoring State Capacity: A Call to Action
If Americans wish to restore state capacity, they must empower bureaucrats with more discretion, provide adequate funding, and remove political barriers. As Francis Fukuyama, the Olivier Nomellini Senior Fellow at Stanford University, argues in his latest book, Liberalism and Its Discontents, the decline of American state capacity is a pressing issue.
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Thoughts? Join the Discussion!
Do you agree with the analysis? What do you think are the key factors hindering NASA's progress? Share your thoughts in the comments and let's spark a conversation!
