Those are quite easy to set on the Moon with unmanned spacecrafts.
As part of human exploration of the Moon, numerous space missions have been undertaken to study Earth's natural satellite. Of the Moon landings; Luna 2 was the first spacecraft to reach its surface successfully, intentionally impacting the Moon on 13 September 1959. In 1966, Luna 9 became the first spacecraft to achieve a controlled soft landing, while Luna 10 became the first mission to enter orbit.
So you believe the gov could have EASILY set retroreflectors to the moon but not riskily land humans there? Setting them up there with automation or ground control seems like more difficult then setting them in there by humans.
No @darvi. Retroreflectors are not a complicated pieces of equipment that needs an installation at the certain location. Retroreflector is basically a “cat’s eye”, like that on your bike. It will reflect a laser beam like a mirror. You just have to land it to the surface without breaking. It’s no big deal and it doesn’t need any intelligence.
Doesnt require any intelligence. So you could do it?
So, with your intelligence and logic, it would be easier to send you to Mars to drive that “Curiosity” probe instead of sending unmanned mission, is it?
Pics from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter?
Nothing is clear on them except the arrows and text that SUGGESTS what you should see.