Comments on: Apollo astronauts speak!

By: Algae

Algae — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:48:34 +0000

I was in meatspace when the event was broadcast. Is there a place (or preferably a link) that has a record of today’s NASA TV?

By: Buzz Parsec

Buzz Parsec — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:40:15 +0000

Yesterday evening, NASA TV had a (live?) broadcast of an event from the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum featuring speeches by Chris Kraft, my namesake Buzz Aldrin, Mike Collins and finally, Neil Armstrong. Kraft talked about all the hard work by 100′s of thousands of people behind the scenes, and how rushed they were, how devastating the the fire was, and how they picked themselves up and continued on afterward, and that he thought, as horrible as it was, without the lessons learned from the fire, they never would have made it to the moon. He mentioned at one point in passing that they were too rushed to really apply their experience to the design of Apollo, and if they had, it could have been a much better spacecraft than it was. As much as I find the long down-time between the end of the shuttle and Orion, I hope that this time around, they do things right and we end up with a better ship than either Apollo or the Shuttle.

Aldrin and Collins both had more forward-looking talks, both emphasizing the importance of Mars.

Armstrong’s lecture was just that, almost an history class, but quite well done, with some subtle humor in his delivery. Actually quite a bit better than I expected. He talked about Goddard, the German V2 program, the Russians and the cold war which led to the Apollo program, but how in the future things should and will be less about competition and more about cooperation, “for all mankind”. At least, that’s what I got out of it.

By: Nick

Nick — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:39:13 +0000

@Frank B. Chavez III
>Although it has become a kind of legend that Armstrong flubbed his famous speech and omitted “a” from “That’s one small step for a man; one giant leap for mankind”, recent research has found that he actually said “For a man…” but the poor audio technology made the “a” inaudible.

I doubt any audio clip has ever been subjected to as much analysis to find out what’s going on underneath as that one has. Well… except maybe the opening chord to A Hard Day’s Night.

By: Markus

Markus — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:00:04 +0000

I just finished watching the event (Walt Cunningham was there too, btw). It’s somewhat stunning to see how much they’ve aged, they’re really a bunch of old farts by now (as I know for a fact they agree). But what a great bunch of old farts. It’s marvelous to see with how much persistence and tenacity they speak and argue and make their points and give their recollections. Really a fabulous, humble group of men, still determined to carrying the fire and passing on the torch. It’s been a while since I’ve last seen a “press event” as enjoyable as this.

By: Flying sardines

Flying sardines — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:00:35 +0000

@ 30. sophia8 :

Flying Sardines @ 5: The episode was Silence In The Library. Nothing at all to do with astronauts or Apollo, I’m afraid.

Thanks for that!

I only caught a few bits of of that originally – notably where this person was eaten and became a skull in a spacesuit chasing the others. Sounds like a great episode – I might have to find it on DVD somewhere.

@ 31. shane :

I heard on the ABC radio (Australia) this morning that Armstrong will participate at an event in Washington today that includes a visit to the White House.

I caught a bit of that event on SBS world news (Australia) just tonight.

Seems they finally got the whole Apollo 11 crew – incl. Neil – together again & they’re advocating going to Mars. Awesome!

Hope the BA blogs on that soon & tells us more…

By: shane

shane — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 02:09:49 +0000

I heard on the ABC radio (Australia) this morning that Armstrong will participate at an event in Washington today that includes a visit to the White House.

By: sophia8

sophia8 — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 10:37:01 +0000

Flying Sardines @ 5: The episode was Silence In The Library. Nothing at all to do with astronauts or Apollo, I'm afraid.

By: Frank B. Chavez III

Frank B. Chavez III — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 09:43:37 +0000

Although it has become a kind of legend that Armstrong flubbed his famous speech and omitted “a” from “That’s one small step for a man; one giant leap for mankind”, recent research has found that he actually said “For a man…” but the poor audio technology made the “a” inaudible. http://web.archive.org/web/20061004151135/http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/09/30/moon.quote.ap/index.html I understand that Neil Armstrong is actually fairly shy and has rarely spoken about Apollo 11. His official biography was not even published until 2005.

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 08:46:34 +0000

There is an article in my newspaper The Sunday Post (in Scotland) entitled “Apollo Astronauts reminisce 40 years on” about an event that Neil Armstrong *has* attended in Dayton, Ohio in which the National Aviation Hall of Fame presented the Apollo crews with an award.

It says: “Twelve Apollo astronauts reminisced, traded stories and poked fun at each other…” and their is a photo of Buzz and Neil sitting side by side answering questions. Neil looks very healthy for his age and seems very happy to be there. “It was spectacular” he says of first looking round at the lunar landscape.

The only other guy in attendance mentioned by name is Eugene Cernan.

Neil mentions he and Aldrin hardly had time to savour the occasion as Mission Control were always pushing them to get on with the next item.

Seems strange Nasa can’t persuade him to take part in their event?

By: Huron

Huron — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 06:11:51 +0000

Tempted to watch, but Buzz annoys the hell out of me. I understand that it would be bad form for NASA not to have him, but c’mon…something is not right with that guy. Shame that Neil Armstrong and Mike Collins (I highly recommend Carrying the Fire) aren’t going to be there, but they seem to have a sense of humility.

By: My Reference Frame

My Reference Frame — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 03:47:32 +0000

No Armstrong? Well maybe that is fine: yes he was the tip of the spear but so many people contributed to this great achievement that its unfair to focus all the attention on him. A great moment. I wish I had been alive to see it. I hope I live to see us back on the moon and on to Mars (and beyond???)

By: Jack Hagerty

Jack Hagerty — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 03:35:14 +0000

19. Grisha Says: “I will be at the W Foundation booth.”

As soon as you said you were from a Marin-based space education organization, I knew it was the “W Foundation.” I’ve been in contact with them several times and I believe you have a copy of “Spaceship Handbook” in your library. If not, I’ll get you one.

> I appreciate your patience with the moon hoaxers. Since I suspect most of
> them are very young, I usually take my time with them too, but sometimes
> it’s infuriating.

Well, I wasn’t too patient with that last one and sort of lost it at the end when he started using all caps.

“I’ll come over and say hi.. looking forward to it.”

We don’t have our duty roster yet, so I don’t know when I’m “on” but I should be there all day both days. I’ll stop by your booth, too and leave a message if you’re not there.

Hey, maybe we can ambush Buzz and ask him to swear on a Bible that he really punched Bart Sibrel!

- Jack

By: Jack Dunn

Jack Dunn — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 01:54:24 +0000

There is a second discussion, also being carried on NASA TV at 12:30 p.m. central time
at the Newseum. Same NASA website Phil quoted mentioned it. Actually, the
presentations at the Newseum tend to be more fun and open. Several Moonwalkers
and a current shuttle astronaut will be on the panel.

By: Michael Kingsford Gray

Michael Kingsford Gray — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 01:36:50 +0000

Thanks for the ‘Headsup’ StevoR.

The episode is well worth watching and is still (just) available on the ABC iView player.
http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/news
Click on “The 7:30 Report” and select the Mon 6 July episode.
(I suspect that only Australians are allowed access, but I might be wrong)

The interview comprises the final 3rd of the show.

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 01:07:36 +0000

@ Jack and Grisha:

Given Aldrin’s advancing age, I’m wondering how long it’ll be before Bart Sibrel dares to try another stunt like his last one… another 10 years? 15?

I have nothing but respect and admiration for any of those astronauts, but while I can understand Armstrong’s public reticence (the first man to stand on another world is one heck of a legacy for any mere mortal to live up to), I especially appreciate Aldrin’s continued advocacy of manned spaceflight, and his stand for what we’ve already achieved and can achieve in future.

I can’t help but think of stand-out moments from the moon landings… so many of them, though. Other than the first step (it was 3.56am UK time, I was 10 and the only member of my family still awake), I think my favourite has to be David Scott on Apollo 15, dropping the hammer and the falcon feather…

By: Timmer

Timmer — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:52:43 +0000

John Young is, in my opinion, the most under-rated of all the astronauts.

Do you realize that he has piloted EVERY type of manned space vehicle we’ve put up since the Gemini capsule?

Gemini
Pilot on Gemini 3
Command Pilot on Gemini 10

Apollo
Command Module Pilot on Apollo 10
Commander on Apollo 16 (duties included landing the Lunar Module and driving the Lunar Rover)

Space Shuttle
Commander on STS-1 (Columbia)
Commander on STS-9 (Columbia and Spacelab 1)

Six flights – he is one man I would love to meet.

By: Grisha

Grisha — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:37:42 +0000

To Jack:

“Be sure to stop by the LUNAR booth and say ‘hi’!”"

Absolutely. I will be at the W Foundation (after Ken Winans, the founder, not the ex-pres) booth. My name in real life is Gary Gorka. We are a Marin County-based non profit that does space education, displays artifacts, let kids touch stuff that has been in space… things like that.

PS: I appreciate your patience with the moon hoaxers. Since I suspect most of them are very young, I usually take my time with them too, but sometimes it’s infuriating.. or I think they are pulling our leg.

I’ll come over and say hi.. looking forward to it.

By: Jack Hagerty

Jack Hagerty — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:28:34 +0000

16. Grisha Says: “To Jack’s comment that Buzz Aldrin is on the “high side of 70″ ’tis very true — As high as you can get. Buzz, Neil and Mike will each be 80 next year.”

That occurred to me about half an hour after I’d posted that, but I was fully enmeshed in the ongoing jihad a couple of posts back. Of course, that makes Aldrin even more incredible!

“I will be meeting Aldrin next weekend at the Hornet”

Be sure to stop by the LUNAR booth and say ‘hi’!

- Jack

By: CB_Brooklyn

CB_Brooklyn — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:07:41 +0000

The Living Moon

http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/02files/Moon_Images.html

By: Dave in Canukistan

Dave in Canukistan — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:05:54 +0000

Science Friday, from National Public Radio, Friday the 17th July edition, first hour devoted to Space, with guests Bean and Schmitt, very much alive…

http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/200907171

Alan Bean
Astronaut
Lunar Module Pilot, Apollo 12
Author, “Alan Bean: Painting Apollo” (Smithsonian Books, 2009)
Illustrator, “Mission Control: This Is Apollo” (Viking Juvenile, 2009)
Houston, Texas

Harrison Schmitt
Astronaut
Lunar Module Pilot, Apollo 17
Author, “Return to the Moon: Exploration, Enterprise, and Energy in the Human Settlement of Space” (Springer, 2006)
Former US Senator, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico

By: Grisha

Grisha — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:44:59 +0000

To Jack’s comment that Buzz Aldrin is on the “high side of 70″ ’tis very true — As high as you can get.

Buzz, Neil and Mike will each be 80 next year.

I will be meeting Aldrin next weekend at the Hornet; I still hope to get a chance to meet Collins and Armstrong someday although they are both very private so I won’t get my hopes up.

By: Jack Hagerty

Jack Hagerty — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:42:55 +0000

12. Dave Says: “Also apparently still around but not already mentioned: Cunningham (7)”

I can attest that Walt is still around. Last year he attended the 50th annual meet of the National Association of Rocketry (hobby group). He and his wife, Dot, spent a weekend plus there participating in all of the weepy nostalgia and pushing his new book. He’s actually a funny guy and fit as iron.

- Jack

By: Jack Hagerty

Jack Hagerty — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:39:47 +0000

For those of you in the SF Bay Area, our rocket club, LUNAR, will be part of the “Moonfest” at NASA Ames in Mountain View tomorrow. We picked the club name 17 years ago knowing we’d be part of this

BTW, Buzz Aldrin is supposed to be here next weekend for the splashdown celebration on the USS Hornet in Alameda (the ship that recovered Apollo 11 and 12). That guy has an incredible schedule for someone on the high side of 70!

- Jack

By: Michael L

Michael L — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:56:53 +0000

Naked Bunnt With a Whip:
Always the BDSM comedian!

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:54:07 +0000

@ Spectroscope:

I based my earlier post on this Wikipedia entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Apollo_astronauts#Apollo_astronauts_who_have_walked_on_the_Moon

Of the 12 who’ve walked on the Moon, 3 are listed as now dead: Conrad, Shepherd and Irwin. Individual pages about Young and Schmitt don’t include a date for their deaths, and the same for Haise (so apparently one of Lovell’s crew-mates on 13 is still around).

Also apparently still around but not already mentioned: Cunningham (7), Borman (8), Anders (8), McDivitt (9), Schweickart (9), Collins (11), Gordon (12), Worden (15) and Mattingly (16).