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Author
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Topic: Apollo, space shuttle launch commentators
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Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 02-27-2006 08:53 PM
   
From what I can tell, Jack King announced (through liftoff) Apollo 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 14 and 15. A different guy (the only other guy I know of from then) announced 13, 16, 17 and Skylab's Saturn V launch. I don't have 8 or 12 countdowns to tell from.I am trying to find out the name of the other guy, if someone can help. |
heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 02-28-2006 12:05 AM
I believe that was Charles T. 'Chuck' Hollinshead, but I would have to check to be sure. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2915
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 02-28-2006 04:17 PM
Yes, along with Jack King, Chuck Hollinshead served as the "voice of launch control" for several Apollo missions and numerous unmanned launches. He provided much of the countdown and launch commentaries for the later Apollos, Skylabs and ASTP. During Apollo 11's first manned lunar landing mission, he served as manager of the KSC News Center. His last NASA assignment was Director of Public Affairs at Kennedy in 1975 after the retirement of former public affairs director Gordon Harris. |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 02-28-2006 04:38 PM
Thanks Ed and Ken, just what I wanted to know. He was good too, along with King and Harris that was the best trio NASA has had to date. Say, while we're on, well, my topic, are any of you two so good with this that you could name a mission and its launch announcer. Odd question it may seem, but I have a list I have made over several years. I have all post-51L down but the pre-Challenger launches are hard to discern. There were several commentators and two or three of them sounded alike. All Harris' launches are complete but the others are not. Believe it or not, Rocky Raab himself told me in email he cannot remember which ones he did, only that he did two of them. On edit: | STS 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
41B
41C
41D
41G
51A
51C
51D
51B
51G
51F
51I
51J
61A
61B
61C
51L | | | KSC Harris
Harris
Harris
Harris
Harris
Harris
Harris
Hess
Harris
Hess
Harris
Hess
Hess
Harris
Harris
Raab
Raab
Ball
Ball
Harris
Harris
Ball
Harris
Ball
Harris |
List (pre-51L only): - Hugh Harris
- Jim Ball
- Rocky Raab
- Mark Hess
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Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3120
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 02-28-2006 05:07 PM
In "The Invasion of the Moon 1969: The Story of Apollo 11", Peter Ryan wrote about "..the final moments of the launch liturgy to be intoned by Jack King, the "voice" of launch control..." He then pointed out something which many listeners to the Apollo 11 countdown may have missed: as the countdown reached one second, "...for the first time ever the normally monotone voice of Jack King at launch control began to break with emotion..."It's true! Listen carefully, and you can the voice faltering slightly. And entirely understandably. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2915
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 02-28-2006 09:12 PM
Ben, keep in mind that Gordon Harris isn't Hugh Harris. Gordon was the first public affairs director for KSC. He was selected for the post by its first center director, Dr. Kurt Debus, who had known him and worked with G. L. Harris at the Army's Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL, prior to the formation of NASA here at Kennedy.Yes, Hugh Harris was the launch commentator for the first seven shuttle launches. Mark Hess did four of the shuttle launch countdowns until his departure from KSC in June 1985. His last, I believe without checking, was 41-G in Oct. 1984. Rocky Raab did two of the shuttles in 1985 and several Delta and Atlas launches before his departure from NASA in July of that same year. There was another KSC-NASA public affairs officer by the name of Jim Ball, a former Tituville councilman, that worked his first shuttle launch commentary on Mission 51-G in June 1985. I think Jim did three other shuttle commentaries before the shuttle program came to a halt with Mission 51-L in Jan. 1986. The first new commentator "post 51-L" was Lisa Malone with STS-29 in March 1989. She was also the first woman to ever hold such a position, "voice of launch control." |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 02-28-2006 10:37 PM
Ken you are a marvel! Thank you. Looks like Ball fits the four blanks, Hess would be 41G and Raab actually may be both B and D there. I will run through the launches tomorrow on my computer and match them. You know, some may look at my post as odd (who cares?). But you know, no such list exists anywhere else, so why not make a reference. I've been doing this to a few different subjects. I'm trying to do all the JSC coms too but that list is again complete post 51L; but nearly empty pre other than Nesbitt. I was aware of the other Harris, yes, and am aware of Malone, Diller and Bruce's first missions. There were also two other guys (Mitch Varnes and, more recently, Joel Wells) who stepped in for short tenures. If anyone else expresses interest I will post the full list for reference and maybe we can fill it in on the JSC side. |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 02-28-2006 11:21 PM
I edited the list to reflect that. They all look to match what you said, Ken. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2915
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 03-01-2006 07:18 AM
I "do care" as your list of launch commentators is a good idea. I don't think NASA ever had a printed release or list of all the launch control voicers. Why don't you include ALL U.S. manned shots from MR-3 to date? Throughout the 1990s, along with Malone, there was Mitch Varnes, George Diller and Bruce Buckingham. Joel Wells came a bit later and I think that was all of them, but let me recheck on some other missions. A few years back I recall asking Hugh if such a list was available and he said there wasn't. Good work, Ben. |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 03-01-2006 09:40 AM
Ok, well here is the whole list I have right now:| STS 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
41B
41C
41D
41G
51A
51C
51D
51B
51G
51F
51I
51J
61A
61B
61C
51L
26
27
29
30
28
34
33
32
36
31
41
38
35
37
39
40
43
48
44
42
45
49
50
46
47
52
53
54
56
55
57
51
58
61
60
62
59
65
64
68
66
63
67
71
70
69
73
74
72
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
94
85
86
87
89
90
91
95
88
96
93
103
99
101
106
92
97
98
102
100
104
105
108
109
110
111
112
113
107
114 | | KSC Harris
Harris
Harris
Harris
Harris
Harris
Harris
Hess
Harris
Hess
Harris
Hess
Hess
Harris
Harris
Raab
Raab
Ball
Ball
Harris
Harris
Ball
Harris
Ball
Harris
Harris
Harris
Malone
Harris
Diller
Malone
Diller
Malone
Malone
Diller
Malone
Malone
Diller
Diller
Malone
Malone
Bruce
Diller
Malone
Bruce
Diller
Malone
Bruce
Diller
Mitch
Malone
Bruce
Bruce
Malone
Varnes
Bruce
Diller
Varnes
Bruce
Malone
Bruce
Diller
Malone
Diller
Bruce
Malone
Diller
Malone
Bruce
Diller
Malone
Bruce
Diller
Malone
Bruce
Malone
Diller
Bruce
Malone
Diller
Bruce
Malone
Diller
Bruce
Diller
Malone
Bruce
Diller
Bruce
Diller
Bruce
Malone
Bruce
Diller
Malone
Bruce
Wells
Diller
Bruce
Wells
Bruce
Diller
Wells
Bruce
Diller
Malone
Bruce
Diller
Bruce
Bruce
Bruce
Diller
Bruce
Diller | | JSC 1*
1
1
1
1 1 2
Nesbitt?
1? 1
Nesbitt?
2
2
Nesbitt?
2
3
?
Nesbitt
2
Nesbitt
2
Nesbitt
Nesbitt
Welch
Welch
Deason
Welch
Deason
Deason
Welch
Deason
Deason
Deason
Carr
Welch
Carr
Carr
Herring
Carr
Herring
Hartsfield
Carr
Hartsfield
Herring
Hartsfield
Carr
Herring
Hartsfield
Carr
Hartsfield
Hartsfield
Herring
Carr
Herring
Carr
Hartsfield
Herring
Carr
Hartsfield
Hartsfield
Hartsfield
Herring
Hartsfield
Hartsfield
Herring
Herring
Navias
Navias
Hartsfield
Hartsfield
Herring
Hartsfield Hartsfield
Navias
Herring
Hawley
Navias
Herring
Hartsfield
Navias
Herring
Hawley
Nesbitt
Campion
Hawley
Navias
Campion
Hawley
Hartsfield
Campion
Herring
Herring
Hartsfield
Hawley
Navias
Herring
Navias
Herring
Hawley
Hartsfield
Navias
Hawley
Navias
Navias
Hartsfield
Navias
Navias
Navias
Navias
Hartsfield |
*1 did Saturn V as well. - Jim Ball (KSC)
- Hugh Harris (KSC)
- Steve Nesbitt (JSC)
- George Diller (KSC)
- Bruce Buckingham (KSC)
- Lisa Malone (KSC)
- Billie Deason (JSC)
- Jeff Carr (JSC)
- Eileen Hawley (JSC)
- Ed Campion (JSC)
- Joel Wells (KSC)
- James Hartsfield (JSC)
- Rob Navias (JSC)
- Kyle Herring (JSC)
- Mitch Varnes (KSC)
- Brian Welch (JSC)
- Rocky Raab (KSC)
- Mark Hess (KSC)
- Brian Dunbar (JSC) ??
--- Saturn V: - Jack King
- Chuck Hollinshead
Gemini: Mercury: |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2915
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 03-01-2006 12:35 PM
Great job, Ben, but add Shorty Powers for the Mercury missions and Jack King did most, but not all, of the Geminis. Let me recheck on some other missions as time permits and I'll post here later. |
Colin Anderton
Member Posts: 151
From: Great Britain
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 03-02-2006 02:25 PM
Just a quick comment to point out that Paul Haney did the countdown for Gemini 3, as well as commentary post-liftoff.Jack King came in on Gemini 4, and did all other Gemini countdowns. |
Colin Anderton
Member Posts: 151
From: Great Britain
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 03-02-2006 02:28 PM
Going back to your original question, Ben...Jack King did the countdowns for Apollos 4, 5 (Saturn 1B), 6, 7 (Saturn 1B), 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, and 15. Chuck Hollinshead did Apollos 13, 16, and 17. Also all four Skylab launches, plus ASTP. |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 03-02-2006 04:30 PM
Thanks for completing that, Colin. |
KC Stoever
Member Posts: 1012
From: Denver, CO USA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 03-02-2006 06:23 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Colin Anderton:
Just a quick comment to point out that Paul Haney did the countdown for Gemini 3, as well as commentary post-liftoff.
I was just going to add Paul Haney's name!He was a good friend of the Carpenters and now lives in New Mexico, IIRC. Great guy with a really solid newspaper background at the old Washington Star. |
Fred Becker
New Member Posts: 3
From: Titusville, FL, USA
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 03-23-2006 10:29 PM
Here is a KSC local area radio announcer for Apollo 16, interspersed with NASA commentary. I have reason to believe that this is Martin Caidin. Can anyone confirm this? I made this recording myself from a portable radio on the scene. |
mach3valkyrie
Member Posts: 719
From: Albany, Oregon
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 10-25-2015 09:37 PM
Just came across this thread so will add some information. The person referred to as "1" in the above list is John E. Mcleish, JSC Public Affairs. He covered Apollo launches 6, 14, and 16 as well as Skylab launches. His voice is also heard on various phases of most Apollo missions. Example, "We've got it, we've got it, Apollo 8 now in — in lunar orbit...." |
astro-nut
Member Posts: 946
From: Washington, IL
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 11-28-2015 10:47 AM
The above post is very informative. Would it be possible to update it with the Launch Commentators for Shuttle flight STS-121 to STS-135? Thank you. |
Captain Apollo
Member Posts: 260
From: UK
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 12-08-2015 02:01 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Blackarrow:
It's true! Listen carefully, and you can the voice faltering slightly.
Regarding Jack King's voice cracking during the Apollo 11 launch, for my entire life I have known him as the guy who said "All engine running" - singular. |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1634
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 09-24-2018 11:15 AM
Has anyone figured out who the JSC PAO was for STS-51F? |
hoorenz
Member Posts: 1031
From: The Netherlands
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 09-24-2018 06:10 PM
STS-51D JSC PAO (the number "2" in the list) = John Lawrence |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1634
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 09-29-2018 01:34 PM
I have received a table that lists Jim Ball as the KSC PAO for STS-51F, and Brian Welch as the Ascent PAO (I assume this means JSC). Can anyone confirm or share any thoughts? |
hoorenz
Member Posts: 1031
From: The Netherlands
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 09-29-2018 03:39 PM
JSC Press Release 85-030 lists Brian Welch as STS-51F ascent PAO. |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1634
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 09-29-2018 04:51 PM
Thank you very much! Two different documents support Welch as being the Ascent PAO. |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3120
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 09-19-2019 07:05 PM
It is well-known that the late Jack King provided the countdown on Apollo 11. I had assumed he provided all of the Apollo countdowns, but I now understand Apollo 15 was his last.Who provided the countdowns for Apollos 16 and 17? Editor's note: Threads merged. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2915
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 09-19-2019 07:11 PM
It was KSC's Chuck Hollinshead. |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3120
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 09-19-2019 08:42 PM
Thanks Ken! I had just found a recording on which the name "Chuck Holl...." was mentioned, but the rest of the name was drowned out. |
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