[dr_lew]

Not sure what episode number, but Mythbusters did a good job of completely debunking every major contention of the conspiracy nuts.

An excellent episode, particularly their investigation of "moonwalking" ... but it must be said they came up a little short on the footprint. They were not able to reproduce it, I thought, under their experimental conditions, but bluffed their way through. A mere blemish, but in these matters, blemishes count.

[Swordmaker]

An excellent episode, particularly their investigation of "moonwalking" ... but it must be said they came up a little short on the footprint. They were not able to reproduce it, I thought, under their experimental conditions, but bluffed their way through. A mere blemish, but in these matters, blemishes count.

Gravity would have a lot to do with inability to replicate on Earth the regolith footprint on the Moon. The force of Gravity would have a far different effect on overcoming the friction keeping the particles from falling. Here on Earth, a natural sand or powder snow slope is limited to a certain angle by gravity, about 50º or less, because any steeper, and gravity causes it to collapse. On the Moon with only ⅙ of a G of gravitational pull, a much steeper slope is possible before that slope would collapse. I would be willing to bet one could replicate it using fine grind dry cement powder as I have seen some very detailed impressions last quite a while in such a media. Put it in a vacuum where no errant gust of wind can add its chaos to the gravitational force and the impression could last quite a while.

Shoe imprint in fairly coarse gray sand,
fine portland cement would be far more detailed.