I remember watching and listening to that mission while it went on. Of course, for most of it the best way to get it was on radio. (Nothing but animation, you see.) I remember standing by to plant a flag in our yard the moment I could confirm touchdown. Of course, I didn't understand that "Contact light!" "OK, engine stop!" was all I needed. So when Astronaut Armstrong said,
"Houston, ah, Tranquillity Base here. The Eagle has landed."
That's when I knew. I rushed to the middle of the lawn, planted the flag, and rushed back in time to hear the CapCom say:
"Roger, Twank--er, Tranquillity. We copy you on the ground. You've got a bunch of guys about to turn blue. We're breathing again. Thanks a lot."
That night--very late--we all stayed up to watch the Moon walk.
Top Opinion
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Temlakos~POTL~PWCM~JLA~☆ 2012/08/25 20:03:40
Landing men on the Moon had more to do with the Cold War than anything else. But it also owed everything to Kennedy's understanding that putting men on the Moon ~ the definition of 'impossible' at the time ~ would do more than merely assert America's primacy in the Space Race. It would be remembered for all time as America's greatest achievement.
And the whole world watched. For it was not just an American that set foot on the Moon that day. It was all of us.
Thanks to the superb work by NASA and the expertise, boldness and courage of the Apollo astronauts, not only did our species reach beyond our world to set foot on another, but we are STILL going out into space.
When we're ready, astronauts will visit asteroids, return to the Moon, and eventually go to Mars.
Thanks, Neil.
Great article. Since YahooNews links often die untimely deaths, however, offering up an alternate link to the same story that I came across:
Obama: Armstrong Was 'Great American Hero'
That version contains some nice images and video not found on the YahooNews item.
On the subject of images, putting up a few more here.
The human race is not slowing down, and we're about to take more steps beyond Earth. Thanks to the Russia's efforts in space, and China's, and Europe's, and those of still other nations, as well as America's sustained commitment, we are continuing to go. And we are there to stay.
:(
President Obama honours Raoul Wallenberg
'Days of Remembrance' is an annual event at the US Congress in connection with Holocaust Remembrance Day in the US. The theme this year was to call special attention to those who risked their lives during the Second World War to save people from the Holocaust. Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg was one of those honoured.
The TV is my shepherd, I shall want. It makes me lie down on the sofa.
It leads me away from the Scriptures.
It destroys my soul.
It leads me in the path of moonies and porn , for the sponsor’s sake.
Yea, though I walk in the shadow of my Christian responsibilities,
there will be no interruption,
For the TV is with me.
Its cable and remote, they control me.
It prepares a commercial with moonlanding before me in the presence of worldliness;
It anoints my head with Humanism, and space invaders
My coveting runneth over.
Surely laziness and ignorance shall
Follow me all days of my life:
And I shall dwell in the house
Watching TV forever.
" Neil Armstrong, may You rest in peace, God Speed, Neil "
(Also because I like it there.)