Gene Kranz talks plain on America's space effort ...

Story here.

In December 1972, America abandoned the moon. With the completion of the Skylab missions two years later, and after a brief rendezvous with the Russians, our nation’s human space effort was grounded. We had won the battle for space and demonstrated the power of a free people, but the Cold War, the emergence of global terrorism, an oil embargo, civil rights and other issues competed for our nation’s attention and priorities.

With the shuttle program on the distant horizon, the legacy of our first decade was surrendered and many of our leaders would move on. The most technically proficient and imaginative space team in the world would disperse. America had lost its will to explore.

Man, if that doesn't grab your attention, I don't know what will. Give it a good read cause he's right.

And we'll be talking about it on the next podcast. My guest ... ERIC JONES, editor of the Apollo Lunar Surface Journal.