I’ve been reading old golden age western comics for the last week. It started, in part, because I am “researching” for a possible new project on the horizon. On a secondary level, I was curious and have been reading superhero or war hero golden age stuff off and on for the last few months–again a bit out of simple curiosity, and a bit for brain food to chew on later.

The below page is from Capital Stories Inc., or otherwise known as “Charlton Comics”, in a one-page “story” titled “Trip to the Moon“. It’s not REALLY a story because it’s actually an informative piece that discusses the future of space travel and–oh hells yes–the reality of man traveling to the moon. Not just men like Neil Armstrong over a decade later, but ANY man!

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After reading it I chuckled at some of the awesome enthusiasm in the narrative. I had to step back so that I could put into focus a time when this was actually released–and then I read it again. It was the kind of thing that COULD have come out of a creative story-teller’s mind. It was REAL possible and presumably TANGIBLE science fiction come to life! This would have been a phenomenal experience to have as a teenager back in the 50s!

Below is a list of observations I had during the first reading, thoughts I had after I was done reading the page, and then thoughts I had after reading it again to ponder further what has come since the time it was written.

1. The Hayden Planetarium was taking applications for people to take trips to the moon in 1953?!? WHAT?! Awesome, right? Except that, as we know half a century later, this never happened, or is even PLANNED to happen anymore. At least not with the support from the Hayden Planetarium. That’s right folks, they now have a website and are more focused in bringing the frontier of astrophysics to the public via exhibitions, books, public programs and online resources. They couldn’t take you 75-year-olds to the stars, but they sure as hell do their part to bring knowledge of the stars to you! I really hope 25,000 never PAID to fill out those applications though. Dreams destroyed by a shredding machine.
2. Having an possible endorsement in a comic book calling out would-be astronauts in 1954 is WAY ahead of its time… and reality. The first scientist astronaut selection process began in 1964 in which NASA received 1400 applications (most of which by men). In 1977, during the third selection round, 8000 applications were reviewed (this time 1/3 were from women). Even during this round only a few hundred were deemed fit for the challenge. The fact that this comic page could have helped at least start the youthful American enthusiasm to start studying to be an astronaut is very exciting to me.
3. The comic page mentions interplanetary trips within 25 years. The truth of the matter is that it came 16 years later in 1969 with Apollo 11. There have only been 9 manned missions to the moon, 6 of which actually landed, with a total of 12 men having walked on the surface. All this happened between 1969 and 1972. That’s it. The vision and dreams in the panel were and still are commendable, but alas now we have everyone focused on the next big thing: Mars. Imagine that 56 years later!
4. Apollo 16, in 1969 dollar currency, cost up to $25 billion–that’s about $135 in 2005 dollar value. I think the dream of nuclear fission rocket engines turning this dream into possibility is pretty much out the window… especially during “today’s economic crisis”.
5. In 1953 it couldn’t possibly have been known how long it would take to even GET to the moon–so they didn’t even bother guessing in fantastical ways that would likely have been a humorous attempt looking back at it today. Apollo 17 took about 3 days to travel the 400,000 km. The comic panel wasn’t too far off as to the top speeds though. According to Harrison H. Schmitt’s report on his Apollo 17 mission, they eventually reached about 25,000km/h. So, “well over” that amount was a bit of another dream fulfillment–but for a 16-year-away estimate. That wasn’t too bad!
6. Although many geological studies were done on the spot and plenty moon rock samples collected and thousands of photos collected, the last panel was once again a bit too eager in its prediction. Many future trips equalled exactly 6 landed explorations within 3 years before funding was cut and the program was shut down. Cost is still a major factor 55 years after this comic–even if you ignore the required selection process and requirements individuals need to pass. No other exploration trips have been attempted by governments much less funded, organised, executed and made profitable by Google Microsoft corporations.