During my testimony in May I said, “Some question why Americans should return to the Moon. “After all,” they say “we have already been there.” I find that mystifying. It would be as if 16th century monarchs proclaimed that “we need not go to the New World, we have already been there.” Or as if President Thomas Jefferson announced in 1803 that Americans “need not go west of the Mississippi, the Lewis and Clark Expedition has already been there.” Americans have visited and examined 6 locations on Luna, varying in size from a suburban lot to a small township. That leaves more than 14 million square miles yet to explore.

Neil Armstrong responds to Robert Krulwich, who pointed out that Armstrong only traveled a modest distance, no larger than a soccer field, while on the moon. Fortunately, Armstrong is in posession of the greatest sign-off ever: “I hope it is helpful. Sincerely, Neil Armstrong, Commander, Apollo 11” (via markcoatney)

(Source: NPR)