L.A. Welcomes Apollo 11 Astronauts

Here's an "oldie but goodie" photo. It is from the L.A. Public Library.

It was posted at Facebook with this caption:

 

[1969] "Yorty greets Astros at the bottom of the stairs of the Pres. jet upon their arrival at L.A." Mayor Sam Yorty is pictured greeting Michael Collins, Neil Armstrong, and Buzz Aldrin as they descend the stairs of Airforce One. The three astronauts traveled to Los Angeles in order to attend a state dinner at the Century Plaza in their honor, following the successful Apollo 11 mission to the Moon. (Joe Messinger - Herald Examiner Collection)

President Nixon flew the three Apollo 11 astronauts aboard Air Force One to Los Angeles for a state dinner at the Century Plaza Hotel. From the photo, we see the three astronauts, L.A. Mayor Sam Yorty, Governor Jerry Brown and on the steps is former President Lyndon Johnson. I think the lady at right is Mrs. Yorty.  

50th Anniversary of the First Moon Landing

Above, the iconic photo of Edwin Aldrin on the moon with Neil Armstrong seen reflected on his visor. NASA photo.

Today marks the half-century anniversary of the first moon landing by the crew of Apollo 11 on July 20, 1969.

The milestone by astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin and Mike Collins is arguably mankind's greatest achievement. If not, it certainly ranks in the top five (or top two).

Those were exciting times. I remember them well. I have always been a fan of the U.S. Space Program. We were gathered around the television set at home watching the moonwalk live. Seeing images broadcast from the moon was quite an achievement itself.

Above, Edwin Aldrin climbing down the Lunar Module's ladder. NASA photo.

For the past week and a half, I have watched several documentaries of the mission of Apollo 11. It dawned on me that we were doing this 30 years ago during the 20th anniversary. I remember watching A & E's "Apollo 11: As It Happened", hosted by Edwin Newman with my then-two-year-old daughter Amber on my lap. It is hard to believe it has been 30 years since then.

Today, while watching the new documentaries, I get a feeling of both pride in the achievement, but also a little sense of melancholy when I think of family members who were alive in 1969 but have passed on since. Both of my parents, three of four grandparents and all my aunts, uncles and cousins were alive then. Today, both of my parents, all of my grandparents, three cousins and all aunts and uncles, except for one aunt, are no longer alive. Time has certainly taken its toll.

Above, Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia as seen from the Lunar Module Eagle. NASA photo.

I was 15 in July 1969 and attending high school in Hawthorne, California. I remember audio-taping the July 16, 1969 launch on cassette. I still have it.

As I mentioned in another blog post, a wristwatch depicting the moon landing I got at the time still worked when I wound it today.

Today is the day to savor the 50th anniversary. 

Apollo 11 Souvenirs

Above, Apollo 11 moon landing watch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since tomorrow marks the 50th Anniversary of the moon landing of Apollo 11, I did some digging in my jewelry box and found two souvenirs from that era.

First, was an Apollo moon landing wristwatch depicting the landing of the Lunar Module with the Command Module in orbit. Funny thing, after taking it out of the jewelry box and photographing it, I wound the stem a little and the darn thing still works!

Next, I found a Mission Patch of Apollo 11 by NASA. I forgot I even had it. It is in great shape, despite 50 years.

Above, the Apollo 11 mission patch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I also have books on the Apollo 11 mission and other U.S. Space Program souvenirs.

"American Experience: Chasing The Moon" Part One

Over the years, I have always said that the U.S. Space Program is the only worthwhile government program. I still do.

As part of the commemoration this month of the fiftieth (hard to believe it's has been that long) anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, PBS is broadcasting "American Experience: Chasing The Moon". Part one was on last night. It was directed by Robert Stone.

The first part details the start of NASA, Sputnik and the selection of the first 7 Mercury astronauts. It brought back a lot of memories. As part of my Cub Scout projects, I made a scrapbook of newspaper clipping of all Mercury missions. Unfortunately, the scrapbook got trashed. How I'd love to have it now!

The PBS synopsis:

“Chasing the Moon,” a film by Robert Stone, reimagines the race to the moon for a new generation, upending much of the conventional mythology surrounding the effort. The series recasts the Space Age as a fascinating stew of scientific innovation, political calculation, media spectacle, visionary impulses and personal drama. Utilizing a visual feast of previously overlooked and lost archival material — much of which has never before been seen by the public — the film features a diverse cast of characters who played key roles in these historic events. Among those included are astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Frank Borman and Bill Anders; Sergei Khrushchev, son of the former Soviet premier and a leading Soviet rocket engineer; Poppy Northcutt, a 25-year old “mathematics whiz” who gained worldwide attention as the first woman to serve in the all-male bastion of NASA’s Mission Control; and Ed Dwight, the Air Force pilot selected by the Kennedy administration to train as America’s first black astronaut.

My only quibbles about the first part was the lack of good Mercury-Redstone and Mercury-Atlas launch footage. I know there's some great footage available (they were used in the movie, The Right Stuff).  And, another quibble, the "screw job" of America's almost first black astronaut, Ed Dwight by Southern Democrats (they were in charge of the space program's purse strings in congress). They hint at it, but don't come right out and say it. Ever wonder why most of the space program's facilities are in the Deep South? At least that was pointed out.

It did cover well the heady times of the early space program and how it captured the imaginations of Americans.

Tonight, part two of "Chasing The Moon" will be broadcast. Part three will be broadcast tomorrow night.

To read about "American Experience: Chasing The Moon", go here.

Apollo 11 Lands On Moon 45 Years Ago Today

Above, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin on the moon. NASA photo.

Forty-five years ago today, man first landed on the moon.

It was on July 20, 1969 that Apollo 11 lunar module, Eagle, landed on the Sea of Tranquility. Eagle carried Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin to the moon's surface while Michael Collins remained in orbit in the command module, Columbia. The moon landing was broadcast live on television.

Apollo 11 was launched from the John F. Kennedy Space Center on July 16, 1969. I remember the date as it was my grandmother's 69th birthday.

We watched the live broadcasts of the moon landing and the moon walks by Armstrong and Aldrin on our new (at the time) color television. Unfortunately, the images were in black & white and a bit ghostly. Still it was exciting to experience. I was 15 years old at the time.

Back when the 20th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing was celebrated in 1989, A & E broadcast "As It Happened" programs over several nights with former NBC News reporter Edwin Newman hosting. My daughter Amber was two and a half years old at the time, but she sat on my lap mesmerized by the programs. I taped those programs and still have the tapes.

I've always contended that the U.S. Space Program was the only worthwhile government program. Too bad it has been pretty much dismantled in recent years.

Evidence Found That A Planet Hit Earth and Formed Moon

Above, Los Angeles City Hall and the moon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Japan Times posted an interesting article (it would be something if this theory is right) on how the moon was formed.

The article states:

LONDON – Lunar rocks brought back by Apollo astronauts more than 40 years ago contain evidence of the Mars-size planet that scientists believe crashed into Earth and created the moon, new research shows. 

German scientists using a new technique detected a slight chemical difference between Earth rocks and moon rocks — the first possible direct evidence that another body besides Earth contributed to the moon’s formation 4.5 billion years ago.

To read the full article, go here.

Apollo 11 Rocket Engine Part Recovered

On July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 was launched on its mission to put the first men on the moon.

Forty-four years later, a rocket engine from the Saturn 5 launch vehicle was recovered from the ocean floor. It was positively identified as an engine from Apollo 11's Saturn 5 rocket.

The Huffington Post reported:

Forty-four years (and three days) after it helped launch the first men to walk on the moon, a huge rocket engine part salvaged from the ocean floor has been positively identified as a historic component of the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. 

"I'm thrilled to share some exciting news," Amazon.com founder and CEO Jeff Bezos wrote Friday (July 19) on his Bezos Expeditions website. "44 years ago tomorrow [July 20] Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon, and now we have recovered a critical technological marvel that made it all possible." 

In March 2012, the billionaire entrepreneur underwrote a private — and secret — expedition to find and recover the Apollo engines that launched astronauts Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins to the moon.

To read more of this fascinating story, go here.

Neil Armstrong, R.I.P.

Photo: NASA

Stunning and sad news.

From the Washington Post:

Former U.S. astronaut Neil Armstrong, who stepped from the Apollo 11 lunar module on July 20, 1969, to become the first man to walk on the moon, has died at the age of 82, his family says.

Armstong is one of those rare men you can call "hero" but it would be an understatement.

His family's statement:

“We are heartbroken to share the news that Neil Armstrong has passed away following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures.

Neil was our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.

Neil Armstrong was also a reluctant American hero who always believed he was just doing his job. He served his Nation proudly, as a navy fighter pilot, test pilot, and astronaut. He also found success back home in his native Ohio in business and academia, and became a community leader in Cincinnati.

He remained an advocate of aviation and exploration throughout his life and never lost his boyhood wonder of these pursuits.

As much as Neil cherished his privacy, he always appreciated the expressions of good will from people around the world and from all walks of life.

While we mourn the loss of a very good man, we also celebrate his remarkable life and hope that it serves as an example to young people around the world to work hard to make their dreams come true, to be willing to explore and push the limits, and to selflessly serve a cause greater than themselves.

For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink.”

Apollo Landing Site Photos Released By NASA

Forty years ago this week, Apollo 11 landed on the moon in the Sea of Tranquility.

NASA photo.

This week, NASA has released some photos of several Apollo landing sites taken from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. One of these show the Apollo 11 descent stage (above) from the lunar module Eagle sitting at Tranquility Base on the moon.

The photo does not reveal whether or not the U.S. flag still stands. It is speculated that the exhaust from the Eagle ascent stage knocked it over. Some photos, it has been reported, show footprints and wheel tracks left by the astronauts in later Apollo missions that included lunar rovers.

Tomorrow marks 40 years since Eagle landed on the moon.

Apollo 11: 40 Years Ago This July 16

Above, the offical patch design for the Apollo 11 moon mission.

July 16 will mark the fortieth anniversary of one of man’s greatest achievements: the Apollo 11 moon landing.

Those who were alive then will never forget "Tranquility Base here, the Eagle has landed" and "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."*

Above, the Apollo 11 astronauts: Mission Commander Neil Armstrong, Columbia (command module) pilot Michael Collins and Eagle pilot (lunar module) Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin.

It was on July 16, 1969 that a Saturn V rocket was launched at the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida carrying Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin and Michael Collins to the moon. This mission fulfilled President Kennedy’s goal of “landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth.”

Above, Apollo 11 is launched atop a Saturn V launch vehicle.

It was a good year to be fifteen years old, as I was at the time. I was always a big fan of the U.S. Space Program (it is the only worthwhile government program we have, in my opinion). It was a month before the Woodstock rock festival. The launch date was on my grandmother’s 69th birthday.

Above, former President and Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson are joined by Vice President Spiro Agnew at the launch.

The command module was called "Columbia" and the lunar module was named "Eagle." Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the moon in Eagle while Collins remained in moon orbit in Columbia. The actual landing site was at the Sea of Tranquility. The landing platform of Eagle is still there. The capsule portion of Columbia is now at the Smithsonian's Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

Twenty years ago, the Arts and Entertainment cable channel ran a series of programs on the 20th anniversary “as it happened.” Hopefully, they will re-play these programs this year. Fortunately, I videotaped these programs. My two-year-old daughter sat on my lap and absorbed these programs with fascination. It is hard to believe that 20 years have passed since then. It is even harder to believe that 40 years have passed. That’s when one realizes how old they are. I remember the launch and the live television broadcast from the moon’s surface. Practically the whole world was glued to their televisions sets that night (with the exception of a few communist countries). Those were exciting days.

Above, ghostly black & white images were broadcast live from the moon.

This is one anniversary that we should all look back on and celebrate.

Above, following splashdown, the Apollo 11 crew is welcomed back by President Richard Nixon on the USS Hornet.

Above, spectacular images, such as this one of astronaut Aldrin on the moon were shown once the many rolls of film were developed.

*This is what people heard. It was intended for Neil Armstrong to say, "That's one small step for a man..." The "a" had been left out possibly due to Armstrong's flubbing of the line. See Snopes.