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Author
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Topic: Apollo 11 CAPCOMs
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capoetc
Member Posts: 2309
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 09-20-2008 08:38 AM
   
I noticed on eBay, a cover with signatures of three Apollo 11 CAPCOMs. However, in Russ Still's "Relics of the Space Race," he does not list Worden as a CAPCOM for 11.The "Apollo 11 CAPCOM" inscription on the cover is in Worden's hand. The other two on the cover, Duke and Evans, were CAPCOMs for 11. You would think Worden would be the guy to know if he was a CAPCOM for the mission. Interesting...  |
Delta7
Member Posts: 1682
From: Bluffton IN USA
Registered: Oct 2007
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posted 09-20-2008 09:28 AM
I remember seeing in Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine (an old copy; not when I was 9 years old!) a reference to the Apollo 12 backup crew being on hand at Mission Control (among others) to assist during Apollo 11. There was a picture of Dave Scott sitting at a console. It's possible that Worden may have assisted one of the regular-assigned capcoms (i.e. the "2nd guy" at the capcom console) at some point in the mission. |
Ross
Member Posts: 521
From: Australia
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 09-20-2008 09:53 AM
This is indeed an interesting question. According to NASA, there were four 'official' CapComs; Duke, Garriott, McCandless and Evans. However other sources add extra names such as Lind, Mattingly and Schmitt. I've seen these names mentioned as appearing in transcripts of Apollo 11 communications. I've also seen Lovell, Anders and Haise mentioned as having acted as CapCom for brief periods.There is no mention of Worden being a CapCom for Apollo 11, including no mention in the Annual Report to Congress on Astronauts and Cosmonauts (1983) and no mention in the very extensive 'Men and Women of Space' by Hawthorne (although these last two sources may only mention 'official' CapComs). It therefore appears likely that there were four CapComs appointed for the flight with a number of others acting as CapComs during the flight. However, it appears that Wordon was not one of them. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 3507
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 09-20-2008 07:55 PM
In a letter I have from NASA in 1974 are listed 10 astronaut CAPCOMs for Apollo 11:
Lovell, Duke, Anders, Schmitt, Lind, Garriott, Haise, Evans, McCandless and Mattingly. Of the 3 support crewmen for Apollo 11 (Mattingly, Evans, and Pogue), only Mattingly and Evans served as a mission CAPCOM while Pogue did not. The names of the 10 assigned-CAPCOM astronauts are the same in a document, which I now have, that were a part of Slayton's personal files during the Apollo-era. But Worden did serve as a CAPCOM for Apollos 9 and 12, in which he also was the backup CMP for Apollo 12. In conclusion, at this time, I'll have to agree with Ross. There appears to be no official record of Worden serving as an Apollo 11 CAPCOM, however, let me pose that question to Worden himself next time I see or email him. |
compass
Member Posts: 42
From: uk
Registered: May 2007
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posted 09-23-2008 03:38 AM
During the return to earth coast Jim Lovell spoke to the 11 crew and gave congratulations, is it maybe possible that numerous astros done the same at one time or another, then even a brief remark to the crew would have rated each individual a capcom. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3275
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 09-24-2008 01:38 PM
I was talking to Worden about some other matters this morning (he is heavily involved in Hurricane Ike recovery efforts, incidentally) and brought this up. While he says it is stretching his memory a little after all this time, "I don't think I was ever on a list for capcom, but I did fill in a couple of times. I did do some duty as capcom, although it was very limited, so there may not be a record..."
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AstroAutos
Member Posts: 803
From: Co. Monaghan, Republic of Ireland
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 08-27-2009 07:34 PM
I have in my collection a cover like the one at the top of this page signed by Duke, Worden and Evans (each of which added 'Apollo 11 CAPCOM after their name) and I had never heard of Worden being a Capcom on 11..I've read all the postings on this thread and although Francis says in the last post what Al said about the matter, I think I'm going to ask him at Autographica just to totally clear this matter up once and for all as I want to see what he says when I ask him in person... interesting topic. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 3507
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 08-27-2009 07:46 PM
I forgot about this topic beforehand and saw Worden here on Monday. Let me ask him when I see him or email him within the next few days. I'll report back soon. |
AstroAutos
Member Posts: 803
From: Co. Monaghan, Republic of Ireland
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 08-27-2009 07:51 PM
Thanks a lot Ken.  |
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