Final answer:
The tone in the passage likely emphasizes the difficulty of space exploration, reflecting the complexities and challenges, including how intricate calculations are to space travel due to the mention of NASA's conversion error.
Step-by-step explanation:
The authors most likely use the tone in the passage to underscore the difficulty associated with the endeavors of space exploration. This is evidenced by the detailed descriptions of the risks and obstacles involved in such missions, thus supporting the idea that getting the astronauts back to earth would be very difficult. The passage also reflects the mixed sentiments about space exploration, which might include wonder and dismay at the loss of the Moon's mystery, as well as awe for human achievements like lunar landings. Additionally, the mention of an incident where NASA engineers failed to convert English measures indicates how meticulous and challenging space travel calculations can be. Hence, the authors employ the tone to emphasize the complexity and tremendous effort required in space missions.