posted 07-18-2009 07:35 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by stsmithva:
Would cS members like to meet up after the book signings? Perhaps at 3:00? We could make like Eagle and rendezvous at the top of Columbia.

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posted 07-18-2009 12:08 PM               

Apollo Era Veterans to Throw First Pitch at Astros' NASA Night

In celebration of the Apollo 11 40th anniversary, Apollo era veterans will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Houston Astros’ game July 20.

Apollo veterans are:

• Andrea Mosie, VOE Student, Office of Lunar Missions (1969-1971); Principle Scientist, Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (present)
  
• Frank Hughes, Apollo Simulator Instructor, Kennedy Space Center, Florida (1966-1971); Education and Training Products, Tietronix in Houston (present)
  
• Jack Kinzler, designed the American flag that the Apollo 11 crew left on the moon; Chief, Technical Services Center (1961-1977); retired (present)
  
• Jerry Goodman, Crew Station Engineer, Command and Lunar Module (1965-1968); Senior Technical Expert, Habitability and Environmental Factors Division (present)
  
• Joe Kosmo, Senior Project Engineer, Crew and Thermal Systems Division (1961-1981); Senior Project Engineer, Advanced EVA Systems Development (1981-present)
  
• Randy Stone, Systems Engineer, Landing and Recovery Division, Apollo Program (1967-1970); JSC Deputy Director (2001-2007); Cimarron (present)
  
• Sylvia Stottlemyer, began her career providing administrative support in the Astronaut Office in 1970; Human Resources Program Specialist (present)

Opening ceremonies for the 7:05 CDT game against the St. Louis Cardinals will include astronaut Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger singing the National Anthem.

posted 07-18-2009 12:40 PM               

Also, regarding the July 20 Newseum discussion, get there if you can! I was at the Newseum's Apollo 8 broadcast in November. It was a lot of fun. The audience had ample opportunities to ask questions of the crew. The host -- Nick Clooney -- was great, is an accomplished broadcaster and is the father of actor George Clooney. Get there early because the studio seats only about 200 people. And as a sad coincidence, I'm sure there will be an appropriate memorial for Walter Cronkite (such as a moment of silence...).

posted 07-19-2009 08:32 AM               

Moon Landing 40th Anniversary Celebration

On July 20, 1969, at 2:17 p.m., Apollo 11 landed on the moon. It remains one of man's greatest achievements of all time. The Cosmosphere will celebrate the 40th anniversary of this milestone Monday with a number of different activities. Most are free to the public.

• Opening Of "Reflections: Images Of Apollo"
  Photographs and messages from Apollo astronauts and Mission Control personnel sharing their thoughts, quotes and poems inspired by that era. This is the first showing of this exhibit inside the United States. (see additional information below)
  
  
• Opening Of New Apollo Artifact Exhibit
  "Gotcha" gifts given to Guenter Wendt, Pad Leader for Apollo 11, by Neil Armstrong and his crewmates on launch day.
  
  
• Free Screenings Of Apollo Documentaries
  Showings at 10 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM, and 4 PM in Discovery Room
  Wonder of it All
  Live from the Moon
  
  
• IMAX Film - Magnificent Desolation
  Showing at 10 AM, 12 PM, and 4 PM and 6 PM. Tom Hanks captures the experience of walking on the moon in this IMAX classic. Get your 40% discount on tickets at the front desk for this film showing in the IMAX Theater.
  
  
• Kids' Coloring Area
  Main lobby: color a reproduced Apollo-era coloring page.
  
  
• Cake And Liquid Oxygen Ice Cream
  Cake will be cut at 2:17 PM in the main lobby. Enjoy cake, Tang-flavored liquid oxygen ice cream, and other refreshments.
  
  
• Share Your Memories
  Share your memories of the Apollo landings. Come in and record your memories on video of the Apollo landing so your thoughts on the significance of that amazing event can be preserved for posterity and shared with others. You can also go to http://www.cosmo.org/moonlanding/ and write on the moon landing memories blog at any time.

Reflections: Images of Apollo

In honor of the 40th anniversary of man walking on the moon, The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center is hosting, "Reflections: Images of Apollo," a unique photo exhibit from Space Collector, Leslie Cantwell. This is the first time these inscribed photographs have been seen in the United States.

Gathered personally by Mr. Cantwell, this exhibit features 100, large-scale, official NASA photographs inscribed by the astronauts and others involved with the missions. This is the largest collection of its kind, and the Cosmosphere is pleased to be chosen as the first place Cantwell has allowed to exhibit the photos in the US.

The collection includes not only autographs, but also lengthy inscriptions by many of the astronauts. Some capture funny exchanges that occurred at the time, others feature text from the great writers and poets throughout history, and some include descriptions of chilling moments of the space program.

It's rare to have even a signature from astronauts John Young, Buzz Aldrin or Michael Collins, but in this collection they have also written lengthy personal inscriptions on the photos. This collection is a tribute to the Apollo program and its extraordinary achievements.

In addition to those listed above, also included are photos signed by Alan Bean, Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, Harrison Schmitt, Gene Kranz, and Gene Cernan, as well as many others. Walter Cunningham, Lunar Module Pilot of Apollo 7, is quoted as saying, "These are rare and unique pictures from a unique time in the history of the world."

Cantwell's interest in the US Space program started in 1981 when he met moonwalker Jim Irwin in Germany. Irwin inscribed a photo of a man standing on the moon with the words, "with love from the moon." Cantwell put it aside, but when he rediscovered the photo 10 years later, it ignited an interest in this history and he began pursuing other photos.

The decision to combine the 16" X 20" photos with handwritten text from those involved takes the photo beyond visual art. Cantwell is preserving an important part of our history like no one else has and is promoting the achievements of the American space program to a new generation.

The original photographs will be on display at the Cosmosphere beginning on July 20, the 40th anniversary of the moon landing.

posted 07-19-2009 09:16 AM               

Recommend clicking on each image for higher resolution photographs:

posted 07-19-2009 09:59 PM               

When we got into the IMAX theater, we were somewhat disconcerted that the first 8 rows of the seats were reserved. We grumbled and wondered who the VIPs were who would be getting the front seats. Members of Congress and other dignitaries, we thought. Much to our surprise and delight, at about 7:45 a veritable Who's Who of the US Space Program came down to take their seats: Scott Carpenter, Walt Cunningham, Rusty Schweickart, Dave Scott, Tom Stafford, Dick Gordon, Alan Bean, Al Worden, Charlie Duke, Gene Cernan, Gene Kranz, as well as Charlie Bolden and the crew of STS-125. I'm sure I left someone off, but that's who I spotted.

Capping off the parade of VIPs was the timely arrival of our Fearless Leader, Robert Pearlman, who sat a few seats down from me. Our part of the row also had Steve "STSMITH" Smith, Bill "413 Is In" Sawchuck, Woody "DOX1932", and myself.

While we waited for the lecture to start, we were regaled with restored video of sections of the Apollo 11 EVA.

As for the lecture itself, it was much more of a lecture and less of a conversation than I expected. Perhaps my expectations were off after the give-and-take recollections of the Apollo 8 crew at the last NASM event I attended. I missed at least seeing the crew do something together other than just walking in together. I did very much appreciate each person's talk. Their personalities certainly came shining through, and it was striking how different each man of the crew was from his crewmates.

One wonders at the behind-the-scenes negotiations that went into putting the evening together...likely akin to getting the Vietnam Peace Talks underway, except that they didn't have to worry about the shape of the table.

I understand that an even larger assembly of Apollo astronauts will be at the White House tomorrow. Can't wait to see the photos from that gathering!

As Mike Collins said tonight, count me "Lucky"!

Jonathan

posted 07-20-2009 03:25 PM            

For the very first time, all three of our moon rocks (Apollo 17, Apollo 15, and California's official rock from Apollo 11, given by the late President Nixon) are together on public display. We also have a pen and food carried on Apollo 11, and - very impressively - one of the boxes Neil and Buzz used on the lunar surface to collect lunar samples in and bring back to Houston. We also took some photos through the open hatch of Apollo 9.

posted 07-20-2009 03:56 PM               

On Monday, the President will meet with the crew of Apollo 11 and newly-confirmed NASA Administrator Bolden.

Photo credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

posted 07-20-2009 05:30 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by MCroft04:
FOX News had Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, and Charlie Duke on this morning; short but nice interview. But they blew it later on when they announced that the first steps on the moon occurred on July 21, 1969.

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posted 07-20-2009 06:48 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by MCroft04:
FOX News had Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, and Charlie Duke on this morning; short but nice interview. But they blew it later on when they announced that the first steps on the moon occurred on July 21, 1969.

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In the rest of the world they did. For me it was and always will be 3.56am, Monday 21st July, 1969.

posted 07-20-2009 07:40 PM               

Many brought their little items of personal history, and these were incredible to see and hear their stories.

On Saturday and Sunday we hosted a small oral interview party back here in Downey with many of the engineers who designed and built Apollo. Many brought along their personal treasures from the program - heat shield segments, signed models and the such. It was a wonderful time.

They were the "Greatest Generation" ...and we thank them!

We also were a part of the Griffith Park Planetarium celebration in Los Angeles and we lectured and showed our artifacts to thousands.

I also had fun asking people "Could anyone prove that we went to the Moon?"

When people didn't raise their hands, I said "I could" and brought out the LRO photographs of Tranquility Base and Fra Mauro (Apollo 14) taken last week that showed the shadows and trails left by the astronauts of these missions.

Afterwords, a woman came up and said to me "Thank you. Your photographs vindicated my life's work."

We are proud of these "legends" of Apollo, as they did what many considered impossible for generations, building a spaceship to go to the moon and back.

They are the true heroes of Apollo as the astronauts would be the first to admit.

posted 07-20-2009 08:56 PM               

So tonight, instead of missing out, I watched the whole thing from the Air and Space Museum... got a new favorite quote from Professor Armstrong: "Apollo was a good thing to do."

Was sorry to see NASA TV cut off the music at the end of the first song though. Oh well!

posted 07-21-2009 07:25 AM               

However I looked at Google UK today and they are now doing it for today (21st July). Which is a bit odd!

Technically the first moonwalk started in the early hours of July 21st in UK time, but the landing itself was the evening of the 20th UK time.

posted 07-21-2009 08:00 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by mmmoo:
I was quite disappointed that yesterday (20th July) Google didn't change their logo to an Apollo 11 theme as they usually do for anniversaries.

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posted 07-21-2009 08:21 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Mr Meek:
Perhaps it was a regional thing, or perhaps a browser cache thing, but Google.com did indeed change their logo on the 20th.

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posted 07-21-2009 08:40 AM               

Storms was replaced after the Apollo 1 fire along with NASA manager Joe Shea, and while Shea took part in the official recognition of Apollo 11 in Houston in 1969, Stormy saw the landing and the walk on the Moon from his TV at home in Palos Verde, California.

"Stormy" also led the North American X-15 program, and helped get the contract in the 1950's for that first rocketship aircraft. It celebrates it's 50th birthday this year - both here in Downey and at Edwards Air Force base, California.

posted 07-21-2009 09:32 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by mikej:
I posted my pictures of the LM-2 lunar surface diorama today...

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posted 07-21-2009 01:38 PM               

Steve (stsmithva), All I can say is Thank-you!

It was nice to put a face with, Woody (dox1932), Bill (413isin), and Jonathan (ibasso).

There were astronauts all over the place. One of the biggest laughs of the night was when it was noticed that the STS-125 crew was seated in the overflow section. They were quickly hustled into the main theatre.

As with Gemini they saved the best for last. Neil Armstrong was at his finest. He shunned Apollo 11 choosing to speak about his hero, Robert Goddard instead.

The book signing was a bust for me. I waited two hours in line only to be told they wouldn't get to me. But on the bright side I hooked-up with an RAF pilot. We swapped war stories. We spoke of being out over the Atlantic at night, riding Einstein imaginative beam of light.

To all of you I thought I could get an autograph for - no joy. But I'm ready to try again.

posted 07-22-2009 04:02 PM               

Heard on the Hill: Snubbing the Speaker
July 22, 2009

Speaker Nancy Pelosi got dissed by astronaut Neil Armstrong after a ceremony at which the California Democrat honored the moonwalking hero and his historic Apollo 11 flight.

After the event marking the 40th anniversary of Armstrong's "giant leap for mankind," held in the Cannon House Office Building on Tuesday, an admiring Pelosi approached Armstrong with pen in hand, a witness to the snub tells HOH.

Pelosi asked the publicity-shy former astronaut to autograph something for her, but he wouldn't oblige. "I'm sorry, I don't do that anymore," Armstrong informed the autograph-seeker.

Turns out, Pelosi shouldn't take his put-down personally. Armstrong reportedly refuses all autograph requests, no matter how powerful the person asking. He stopped giving out his John Hancock years ago, news reports say, fearing forgeries and concerned about those making large amounts of money from autographed items.

In fact, Pelosi took getting turned down in stride, spokesman Brendan Daly says. "The Speaker would go to the moon and back to try to get what her grandson asked for," he tells HOH. "But he learned a valuable lesson: You can't always get what you want."

posted 07-23-2009 02:31 PM               

The Springfield Paper: Equinox Scores Original Film

Equinox will perform a live original score to an original film on July 24 and 25, 2009, at the State Theatre, 19 South Fountain Avenue, Springfield, Ohio 45502. A film, produced by Troy M. Berry and Jeremy Johnson, will delight audiences with a combination of actual NASA footage and films with a run time of 45 minutes.

posted 07-24-2009 08:51 AM               

• The Apollo 11 uprighting bags and flotation collar.
  
• The Apollo 11 hatch.
  
• A Biological Isolation Garment.
  
• A "Billy Pugh" helicopter recovery net.
  
• The Apollo 11 Mobile Quarantine Facility.