Posted on 07/15/2019 4:39:43 AM PDT by Kaslin
50 years ago three American citizens crammed into a small metal can and soared away from their country – and their world – to land on a barren rock deeper in space.
Their names – Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins - would be known to history forever as heroes that braved the great unknown for American, and indeed human, progress.
Apollo 11 launched on July 16, 1969 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The lunar module containing Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the moon’s surface on July 20 and the astronauts soon left back for Earth on July 22.
The achievement of Apollo 11 cannot be understated, whether from the scientific, political, or cultural angles. Apollo 11 took place in the midst of the Cold War, where technological competition between the Soviet Union and Communist bloc against the United States and free nations of the world saw perpetual escalation, as both sought to contain the other and bring remaining neutral nations and peoples to their cause.
Space was the fantastical frontier on which the blocs’ prowess and strength was to be tested and demonstrated. For millennia humans had looked up to the stars with wonder and awe, spawning countless legends, theories, and customs. Yet even the brightest minds and richest expeditions as of far could at best only be an observer aided by heightened buildings and terrain and polished pieces of crystal and glass.
Yet by the 1950’s aeronautical technology had advanced just enough to change all of that. The Soviets launched Sputnik 1 into the Earth’s orbit in October 1957, the first manmade satellite. Sputnik was a research satellite studying the properties of the Earth’s upper atmosphere as well as providing conditions information about Earth orbits.
While Sputnik shut down after a few weeks and crashed a few months later, it still showed the world that it was entering a new technological era. It was one where the feared militarization and economic usage of space, whether through satellites, stations, flights, or missiles, not only seemingly provided substantial technological advantage to those who could wield it but was an incredible propaganda and morale tool for those successful.
It was under these circumstances that Apollo 11 was hatched and pushed forward. As President John F. Kennedy announced to Congressi n May 1961, “[n]o single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space, and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish.”
Yet just 8 years later the American flag would be planted on the moon, still to now the only nation to have done so. “For every American, this has to be the proudest day of our lives” said President Richard Nixon as he called Armstrong and Aldrin on the moon on July 21, 1969.
Aldrin was so moved by walking on the lunar surface that he took Holy Communion on the moon. Pouring wine into a cup he had inside his large astronaut suit, eating bread, and reading the Gospel of John on a card he brought.
Apollo 11 wasn’t cheap. The entire project cost an estimated $25.4 billion in then’s dollars, which amounts to roughly $186 billion in 2019 dollars. Yet the impacts were huge. We see nowadays how achievements in cosmology, such as Katie Bouman’s work in helping image a supermassive black hole for the first time this year, inspire countless not only in the scientific fields but even ordinary citizens.
Americans generally were proud of that achievement at the time, even if space developments for the decades after slowed and interest waned as the then-‘astronomical’ cost made some Americans uneasy.
We live in a similar era nowadays where technology has advanced so far again that incredible new achievements have become possible in the world of aeronautics. We see each day how both the government and private sector are exploring new ways to expand America’s and humanity’s reach around our planet and within our solar system.
Each day now rockets, satellites, telescopes, stations, and more are being designed, prepared, and launched. Voyager 2 recently joined Voyager 1 a few months ago in interstellar space, outside the reach of our solar system. The public supports space investment by large majorities. 77% now want to increase or maintain NASA funding. The private sector is now just as much, if not more, a player than government in space as large corporations see the immense potential out there in the cosmos.
In 50 years I hope we won’t be just commemorating the 100thanniversary of Apollo 11. Rather, I hope we will be commemorating new discoveries and achievements in the realm of space – what those achievements are remain to be seen, as each day countless dreamers across this great country are working tirelessly on.
Good article.
Chappaquiddick, same weekend, three days before.
Teddy got a pass.
Caught a bit of CBS Sunday Morning yesterday and they had a divine Walter Cronkite service as part of their salute to the anniversary. Bet some Freepers would have had some very glowing comments about that part of the show yesterday, lol.
Asking for your votes on this last day of voting for Kennedy space center contest for Grandpa to take his grandchildren for a VIP tour of Kennedy space center in honor of 50th anniversary of moon landing.
My story is at link.
Thank you!
I remember delivering the newspaper with the headline they landed on the moon. I was 12 then, raised to work and do my thing. Glad I grew up in a large family with a mom and dad present pointing me the right way. Yes, right wing too. Was able to retire at 46, 16 years ago. Still going strong. 3+ years and SS and medicare kick in. Gotta love it. I used to always say everyday is my birthday, now I think my new saying will be everyday is Christmas.
I’ll never forget that summer night when Armstrong stepped on the moon. I am blessed to have lived in a time when Americans were proud of America and being an American. Neil was the perfect guy for the job. He had the distinction of being able to say that he did something no one ever did before and would no one would ever to be able to out do that accomplishment.
Added my vote. Good luck!
I believe we went to the moon FIVE times.
I moved to central Florida from Tennessee in the summer of ‘69.
Apollo 11 was my first launch viewing. As a 10 year old kid I remember the crowds, the heat and humidity, and the massive rumble of the massive F1 engines.
Was privileged to view every moon launch from Apollo 11 to 17.
One of man’s greatest achievements ever!
The only thing to top that would be that I have been blessed to work at Kennedy Space Center and see the places up close where history was made.
Six.
When are they going to make a movie about Apollo 11 staring the cast from the new Ghostbusters?
11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17 all landed and 8 orbited. I worked at MSC for the 7 thru 12 missions. Unforgettable time.
Not in the Apollo 11 documentary that came out this Spring. It included a segment with some NASA engineers gossiping about it. Considering CNNs involvement with the documentary and the fact that they had hundreds of hours of film to draw from I was really surprised that made it in.
(I also didn’t realize before seeing it that Chappaquiddick happened during the Apollo 11 mission. I had never seen it mentioned before and I never thought to compare the dates.)
I hope to go to the Smithsonian area for the salute to Apollo 11 this week. Several days of lighting the Washington Monument as the rocket and programs on the Mall are planned. Very late evening events. Maybe not so very crowded for a change.
Strange they never had a reason to go back in 50 years.
Mr Branson is beating them all.
Too cool!
Have a wonderful time and safe travels.
We'll be waiting for a full report upon your return...FRegards!
Very nice
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