Why do you think we waited so long to return our attention to the Moon After Nearly 6 Decades???
Robert Sungenis says that whether the United States went to the moon in 1969 is still debated, citing the Stanley Kubrick claim in the setting of the cold war race against the Russians. He gives it as his opinion that a return would be too costly to execute, and says whether the Van Allen Belts can be passed remains an issue.
Also While this relates to a technological aspect of Space Exploration this also relates to a Theological Question too. Will God allow us to go to Mars or is it the next Tower of Babel Is it too far beyond what God will allow??? Also other than financial reasons why was he we never went back to the Moon After Apollo 17 NASA Mission??? God Bless.
Answer
Whether we went to the moon in 1969 is still debated, especially with the Stanley Kubrick issue being used to excel against the Russians in the cold war. The US can talk a big game (as they are doing now about aliens) but the proof will be in the pudding. Yes, it would be an exorbitant cost, too costly to execute, in my opinion. Whether we can get past the Van Allen Belts is still an issue also.