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Posted: 7/19/2010 7:42:57 PM EST
On July 20th, 1969 two Americans, Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin became the first men in history to walk on ground that was not of this earth. At the time their survival was far from a sure thing, and they went to the Moon knowing that they very well might never return. But they went anyway.





During an interview after leaving the lunar surface and returning to the CSM, Buzz Aldrin said the following:





"This has been far more than three men on a mission to the Moon; more,
still, than the efforts of a government and industry team; more, even,
than the efforts of one nation. We feel that this stands as a symbol of
the insatiable curiosity of all mankind to explore the unknown ...
Personally, in reflecting on the events of the past several days, a
verse from Psalms comes to mind. 'When I consider the heavens, the work
of Thy fingers, the Moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What
is man that Thou art mindful of him?'"






 
Link Posted: 7/19/2010 7:44:00 PM EST
[#1]
I watched the Right Stuff today


Link Posted: 7/19/2010 7:44:46 PM EST
[#2]
for the anniversary.

for the progress since then.
Link Posted: 7/19/2010 7:46:06 PM EST
[#3]
Link Posted: 7/19/2010 8:21:33 PM EST
[#4]
"the insatiable curiosity of all mankind to explore the unknown" < Obamacare.

What a world we live in NOW.
Link Posted: 7/19/2010 8:25:19 PM EST
[#5]
When I was alittle boy, I dreamed of going up( I had to have tang, cause thats what they drank), these guys were national heros, now, no one pays any attention to the launchs...it was inspiring...now.......
Link Posted: 7/19/2010 8:27:50 PM EST
[#6]



Quoted:


"the insatiable curiosity of all mankind to explore the unknown" < Obamacare.



What a world we live in NOW.


Don't forget NASA's new mission of reaching out to Muslim countries.







"...for all mankind."



 
Link Posted: 7/19/2010 8:36:17 PM EST
[#7]
The brilliant scientists, intrepid explorers and steely-eyed misslemen are now all dead or dying, and our country is run by assclowns. Talk about a depressing state of affairs.
Link Posted: 7/19/2010 8:36:55 PM EST
[#8]
double post - my internet's gone crazy
Link Posted: 7/19/2010 8:38:35 PM EST
[#9]

The brilliant scientists, intrepid explorers and steely-eyed misslemen are now all dead or dying, and our country is run by assclowns. Talk about a depressing state of affairs.


That was a great post, and worth repeating a third time.  

Link Posted: 7/19/2010 8:50:43 PM EST
[#10]
This thread needs more video of Aldrin punching an idiot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IhAFLmVT3w
Link Posted: 7/19/2010 8:51:52 PM EST
[#11]
Quoted:

The brilliant scientists, intrepid explorers and steely-eyed misslemen are now all dead or dying, and our country is run by assclowns. Talk about a depressing state of affairs.


That was a great post, and worth repeating a third time.  



Make that four.  Fuck, six years getting two degrees, and two years under arms to pay for it, and for what?  So I could do fucking sustainment?  Where the fuck did we go wrong?
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 5:07:24 AM EST
[#12]
Bump for the morning crew.
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 5:14:52 AM EST
[#13]
Depressing.  




Am I wrong in thinking this is what happens when a government bureaucracy becomes the bloated mess NASA has?  And really, does anyone think in todays litigious atmosphere we'd ever be able to put Americans at risk they way we did back then, for "exploration"?






Link Posted: 7/20/2010 5:19:09 AM EST
[#14]
In before the "It Was Faked" crowd...

Americans walking on the Moon is the greatest achievement of Mankind to date. Period.

FBHO and his minions.
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 5:21:05 AM EST
[#15]
What a great time to be a kid.
I was into model rockets then.  The Estes Co. urged kids to launch a model rocket coincident with the launching of Apollo 11.
I did.  Good times, those.
My best friend and I always somehow knew it would not last.  As we grew up, we talked about how things would go downhill and America would collapse.
Unfortunately, it appears we may have been correct.
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 5:45:41 AM EST
[#16]
America, fuck yeah!
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 5:52:02 AM EST
[#17]
Quoted:
In before the "It Was Faked" crowd...

Americans walking on the Moon is the greatest achievement of Mankind to date. Period.

FBHO and his minions.

Kubrick faked it.

Watch The Shining, he admits it. link


The audience watching the film literally sees the launch of Apollo 11, right before their eyes, as Danny rises from the floor. It isn't the real launch of Apollo 11, it is, of course, the symbolic launching of Apollo 11. In other words - it isn't real.
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 6:03:01 AM EST
[#18]



Quoted:



Quoted:

In before the "It Was Faked" crowd...



Americans walking on the Moon is the greatest achievement of Mankind to date. Period.



FBHO and his minions.


Kubrick faked it.



Watch The Shining, he admits it. link



http://www.jayweidner.com/images/IMG_0065.jpghttp://www.jayweidner.com/images/IMG_0066.jpg


The audience watching the film literally sees the launch of Apollo 11, right before their eyes, as Danny rises from the floor. It isn't the real launch of Apollo 11, it is, of course, the symbolic launching of Apollo 11. In other words - it isn't real.






I can't begin to imagine the amount of pot that guy smoked to come up with that stuff.



 
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 6:06:27 AM EST
[#19]
I know I watched it –– my brother and Dad told me I did –– but I don't remember it at all.



I do clearly remember the Apollo 13 near-disaster, though.
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 6:09:51 AM EST
[#20]
title is wrong should say 41 years ago Apollo landed at Hollywood.
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 6:10:27 AM EST
[#21]




Quoted:

On July 20th, 1969 two Americans, Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin became the first men in history to walk on ground that was not of this earth. At the time their survival was far from a sure thing, and they went to the Moon knowing that they very well might never return. But they went anyway.



During an interview after leaving the lunar surface and returning to the CSM, Buzz Aldrin said the following:



"This has been far more than three men on a mission to the Moon; more, still, than the efforts of a government and industry team; more, even, than the efforts of one nation. We feel that this stands as a symbol of the insatiable curiosity of all mankind to explore the unknown ... Personally, in reflecting on the events of the past several days, a verse from Psalms comes to mind. 'When I consider the heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the Moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man that Thou art mindful of him?'"



http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/AS11-44-6552_crop.png





And 5 years later, I was born!!!!






eta––pic added for all the ASSHATS who think it was faked.  You question American exceptionalism and dare to call yourselves one of us.  Shameful, really
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 6:11:17 AM EST
[#22]

This thread needs more pictures.


Link Posted: 7/20/2010 6:17:52 AM EST
[#23]
Quoted:

Quoted:
On July 20th, 1969 two Americans, Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin became the first men in history to walk on ground that was not of this earth. At the time their survival was far from a sure thing, and they went to the Moon knowing that they very well might never return. But they went anyway.

During an interview after leaving the lunar surface and returning to the CSM, Buzz Aldrin said the following:

"This has been far more than three men on a mission to the Moon; more, still, than the efforts of a government and industry team; more, even, than the efforts of one nation. We feel that this stands as a symbol of the insatiable curiosity of all mankind to explore the unknown ... Personally, in reflecting on the events of the past several days, a verse from Psalms comes to mind. 'When I consider the heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the Moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man that Thou art mindful of him?'"

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/AS11-44-6552_crop.png


And 5 years later, I was born!!!!




http://www.istad.org/squidoo/moon-landing-photos/photo-of-lunar-lander.jpg


eta––pic added for all the ASSHATS who think it was faked.  You question American exceptionalism and dare to call yourselves one of us.  Shameful, really


Photoshop.
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 6:20:04 AM EST
[#24]
I was 8 years old. I remember watching it live.
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 6:20:37 AM EST
[#25]
lol, one of my more effective trolls has been saying, "40 years ago today, Lance Armstrong walked on the moon."  
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 6:23:06 AM EST
[#26]



I saw the Apollo 11 liftoff from Cocoa Beach.  It was pretty cool for a 9 year-old kid who loved Sci-Fi.
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 6:23:46 AM EST
[#27]
"It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn't feel like a giant. I felt very, very small."

-Neil Armstrong


This is the country I was raised in...not the country who's president believes that the concept of American exceptionalism is some baseless construct.

America. Fuck yeah.
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 6:39:18 AM EST
[#28]
For those of us that were kids and teens during the 60’s the space program was truly awesome.
      Apollo 11 was everything folks say it was but Apollo 8 & 10 get overlooked. Both of these missions went to the moon but did not land.
    Apollo 11 was the 3rd lunar mission but the first to actually touch down.
       Also protests regarding the space program are nothing new. I remember seeing a TV broadcast where hippies were bringing fake rocks to a news conference after Apollo 11 came back to protest the cost of bring back moon rocks.
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 6:42:54 AM EST
[#29]



Quoted:


lol, one of my more effective trolls has been saying, "40 years ago today, Lance Armstrong walked on the moon."  


I'd give my left nut for the opportunity to do that.



 
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 6:46:11 AM EST
[#30]
I wish I grew up during that time. Amazing the things we did then. Sad that the American public lost the stomach for continued missions. We would probably have been to Mars by now if they kept on. I love reading about the Apollo era. My bookshelf is filled with books.
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 6:49:49 AM EST
[#31]





Quoted:



I wish I grew up during that time. Amazing the things we did then. Sad that the American public lost the stomach for continued missions. We would probably have been to Mars by now if they kept on. I love reading about the Apollo era. My bookshelf is filled with books.



The sad thing is, America lost its passion for moon missions within a few years.  People saw little tangible return on their money after we beat the Russians to a manned landing.  Further missions were seen as wasteful and irrelevant.






Nothing changes, really.

 

 
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 6:53:06 AM EST
[#32]
Quoted:
In before the "It Was Faked" crowd...

Americans walking on the Moon is the greatest achievement of Mankind to date. Period.

FBHO and his minions.


This is indisputable.

It's a national shame that we've squandered our unique time and place in history to build upon that achievement.  We are at a very high risk of the next flags planted being something other than the stars and stripes.  That would be a sad day indeed.




Link Posted: 7/20/2010 6:55:21 AM EST
[#33]
A few nights ago I was looking at the moon and thinking about how sad it is that it's basically out of our reach now.

We had that Christopher Columbus moment on the Moon, but that's it. We went, planted a flag, and then came home. No colonies, no explorers searching for cities of gold. Just a few trips to land on the first island and then coming back home. And now we can't even go back to that island that we claimed. If scientists realized that there was a rock on the moon that could solve all of humanities problems, it would be years before we could get to it, and that's only if everything went according to plan.

Spent all that money and all that time and somehow made it there, but that's it. In 66 years, man went from a creature living completely on the ground to a creature exploring other worlds. 40 more years, and not only do we not go to the moon anymore, we have trouble leaving this planet at all. The space station is alright, but that's like saying "well, Columbus discovered unknown continents, but it's too far and BTDT. We're just going to focus on our colony in the Canary Islands. And we'll probably decide that it isn't worth the cost either."

You can look up and see the fucking thing sitting right there. Just go to it. Then go further.
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 6:55:53 AM EST
[#34]
I remember, as a kid and very into the space program, watching the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions.

The lunar landing was just awesome.

Too bad the U.S. lacks the leadership and initiative to keep going.
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 6:59:07 AM EST
[#35]



Quoted:


I remember, as a kid and very into the space program, watching the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions.



The lunar landing was just awesome.



Too bad the U.S. lacks the leadership and initiative to keep going.


And the money...

 



The missions have gotten horridly expensive.
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 7:27:28 AM EST
[#36]
Quoted:
For those of us that were kids and teens during the 60’s the space program was truly awesome.
      Apollo 11 was everything folks say it was but Apollo 8 & 10 get overlooked. Both of these missions went to the moon but did not land.
    Apollo 11 was the 3rd lunar mission but the first to actually touch down.
       Also protests regarding the space program are nothing new. I remember seeing a TV broadcast where hippies were bringing fake rocks to a news conference after Apollo 11 came back to protest the cost of bring back moon rocks.


Apollo 8 was probably the biggest single step in the program. The successful return of 13 was probably as big of an achievement as 11.
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 10:04:33 AM EST
[#37]
Buzz was on the "Price is Right" this morning...
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 10:26:45 AM EST
[#38]
Quoted:

Quoted:
I remember, as a kid and very into the space program, watching the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions.

The lunar landing was just awesome.

Too bad the U.S. lacks the leadership and initiative to keep going.

And the money...  

The missions have gotten horridly expensive.


Total 2010 Budget:  $3,552 Billion
NASA 2010 Budget:  $18.7 Billion

Percentage of 2010 Budget = 0.5%  

That is a painfully small amount of money that we are spending considering how incredibly unique and rare our current position in history is in that we can operate beyond our own atmosphere.  On the millennial scale this is incredibly significant and we are wasting an opportunity to be leaders in the new frontier.  

It is almost a certainty that there will be winners and losers in that frontier over the next 500 years as launch costs go down and enabling technologies make space travel routine.  We'd be smart to make sure that we get a big lead and then keep it.  Not because of the benefits of dominance in space that we know about, but because of the detriments of subordination that we are not yet aware of.


Link Posted: 7/20/2010 10:39:49 AM EST
[#39]



Quoted:



Quoted:




Quoted:

I remember, as a kid and very into the space program, watching the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions.



The lunar landing was just awesome.



Too bad the U.S. lacks the leadership and initiative to keep going.


And the money...  



The missions have gotten horridly expensive.




Total 2010 Budget:  $3,552 Billion

NASA 2010 Budget:  $18.7 Billion



Percentage of 2010 Budget = 0.5%  



That is a painfully small amount of money that we are spending considering how incredibly unique and rare our current position in history is in that we can operate beyond our own atmosphere.  On the millennial scale this is incredibly significant and we are wasting an opportunity to be leaders in the new frontier.  



It is almost a certainty that there will be winners and losers in that frontier over the next 500 years as launch costs go down and enabling technologies make space travel routine.  We'd be smart to make sure that we get a big lead and then keep it.  Not because of the benefits of dominance in space that we know about, but because of the detriments of subordination that we are not yet aware of.





The phrase "unbelievably short-sighted" comes to mind.  It really is a sign of the direction our society is taking.





 
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 10:51:35 AM EST
[#40]
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 11:06:46 AM EST
[#41]


I'd like to see that graph redone as a percentage of GDP.  Even adjusting for inflation, $30B back in the 60's and 70's was alot larger commitment than $30B today.  Our economy has grown quite a bit since that time period, our commitment to exploration should have grown with it.
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 11:10:43 AM EST
[#42]
Quoted:
Quoted:
For those of us that were kids and teens during the 60’s the space program was truly awesome.
      Apollo 11 was everything folks say it was but Apollo 8 & 10 get overlooked. Both of these missions went to the moon but did not land.
    Apollo 11 was the 3rd lunar mission but the first to actually touch down.
       Also protests regarding the space program are nothing new. I remember seeing a TV broadcast where hippies were bringing fake rocks to a news conference after Apollo 11 came back to protest the cost of bring back moon rocks.


Apollo 8 was probably the biggest single step in the program. The successful return of 13 was probably as big of an achievement as 11.


13 was a triumph of the entire concept.Thank God for all involved.These days? Massive FUBAR.
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 12:24:48 PM EST
[#43]



Quoted:


A few nights ago I was looking at the moon and thinking about how sad it is that it's basically out of our reach now.



We had that Christopher Columbus moment on the Moon, but that's it. We went, planted a flag, and then came home. No colonies, no explorers searching for cities of gold. Just a few trips to land on the first island and then coming back home. And now we can't even go back to that island that we claimed. If scientists realized that there was a rock on the moon that could solve all of humanities problems, it would be years before we could get to it, and that's only if everything went according to plan.



Spent all that money and all that time and somehow made it there, but that's it. In 66 years, man went from a creature living completely on the ground to a creature exploring other worlds. 40 more years, and not only do we not go to the moon anymore, we have trouble leaving this planet at all. The space station is alright, but that's like saying "well, Columbus discovered unknown continents, but it's too far and BTDT. We're just going to focus on our colony in the Canary Islands. And we'll probably decide that it isn't worth the cost either."

Po

You can look up and see the fucking thing sitting right there. Just go to it. Then go further.


Yep, Nixon listened to all the little nitpickers and axed the rest of the program. Politicians are the most short sighted people in existence. For the most part they have absolutely no vision for the future.



The J missions would have been three days on the surface. Apollo 18, 19, and 20 would have set the ground work for a future colony. Instead we pulled back to earth orbit and gave up on moving outward completely.



 
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 12:33:04 PM EST
[#44]
Watched it live... WOW!!!



Beautiful quote there.

Link Posted: 7/20/2010 12:35:54 PM EST
[#45]
Everybody should watch "In the Shadow of the Moon"

Great documentary of the Apollo program, starring the actual astronauts
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 12:36:04 PM EST
[#46]
How far we've sunk since then.
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 12:44:31 PM EST
[#47]



Quoted:


I know I watched it –– my brother and Dad told me I did –– but I don't remember it at all.



I do clearly remember the Apollo 13 near-disaster, though.


I was 3 years old, but I most certainly DO remember watching it.  I was at my grandparents house in Parkville, MO.  My mom, grandma, and aunt were jumping up and down with excitement.  I didn't understand WHY they were excited, but I remember the B/W images on the Zenith.



 
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 12:50:39 PM EST
[#48]
Anybody have a list of what each Apollo mission did?

How many times did we land on the moon? etc.???
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 1:05:08 PM EST
[#49]
Link Posted: 7/20/2010 1:07:29 PM EST
[#50]


A few pics from my trip to Houston last year.















































































































There's a lot of bright, well educated, and well experienced people working at NASA, chomping at the bit to get us back into the space race





All they need is the budget and the political will behind them.  We don't have to recreate the wheel, we've already got it.














/Also, the space shuttle training sim is moving to Texas A&M as I understand it.  That was a riot to "fly"




 
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