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Author
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Topic: Questions for interview with Fred Haise
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GD775
New Member Posts: 3
From: Tampa, Florida, USA
Registered: Sep 2022
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posted 11-23-2025 09:54 PM
   
So I have the incredible opportunity to talk with Mr. Fred Haise for an hour on a Zoom call in the near future and just wanted to see if there are any pressing questions you may have that you'd like me to ask.I've compiled a few questions myself, but I feel like speaking to a legend like this would almost be selfish if I didn’t ask others who are interested like myself for input. I'm very much looking forward to this as I wasn't around in the days when these guys were on the speaking trail and I've been trying to absorb as much as I can while we are fortunate enough to have these guys around so I know how special this is. |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3902
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 11-30-2025 02:32 PM
I could probably think of 100+ questions, but these two occurred to me first: - Was he embarrassed by that infamous bouncing landing on the final approach-and-landing test-flight in "Enterprise" or did he just think that that's what test-flights are for, and his experience would help future shuttle commanders to land safely?
- After the explosion on Apollo 13 his chief concern must have been getting home safely, but as he looked down at the far side of the Moon was he thinking "I want to come back here" or "Enjoy this view, I'll not be back"?
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MartinAir
Member Posts: 488
From:
Registered: Oct 2020
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posted 11-30-2025 07:10 PM
Fred Haise was involved in the space shuttle program from the beginning; he even called it his "birth child". You may ask him a few questions about his involvement and about passing on the opportunity to fly a STS mission, given the long delays and cancellation of the Skylab rescue mission. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 4249
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 11-30-2025 08:10 PM
Thanks for letting us participate. Here is my question for Mr. Haise:"As you went around the moon, what impressed you the most about seeing the lunar surface up close for the first time?" |
Delta7
Member Posts: 1789
From: Bluffton IN USA
Registered: Oct 2007
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posted 12-01-2025 08:51 AM
If Apollo 13 had been successful and you had walked on the moon, would you still have been considered as commander of Apollo 19 being Slayton had decreed that "you only get one of those" with regard to a moon landing? |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2431
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 12-01-2025 02:36 PM
Just a thought, but he gets a lot of "the same old questions." I am sure he understands why and is happy to answer those questions, but you might consider throwing in a couple things he cares about but likely doesn't get asked much about, like:"You do a lot of work with the Infinity Science Center in Mississippi. How well is the museum growing, and what are your hopes for the Infinity Science Center in the future?" In my experience, folks who do a lot of interviews (1) like it when people do their homework beforehand, and (2) really like it when they can talk about something different from what they usually get asked. Pete Conrad was well known to respond, when asked "what was it like to walk on the moon?" …. "Great. Super. Really enjoyed it." And understandably so. Hopefully, some of your questions can allow Haise to get off of the "prepared speech" script and move into having a conversation. Good luck with the interview! |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 2151
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 12-01-2025 03:38 PM
I think John (capoetc) hits the nail on the head. Think of it - Fred's likely been asked "what did it sound like in the tunnel during the Apollo 13 accident" 10,000 times. Well done sir. quote:
Originally posted by GD775:
So I have the incredible opportunity to talk with Mr. Fred Haise...
Will others be able to watch/read the account of your interview? Thank you. |
Kevmac
Member Posts: 336
From:
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 12-01-2025 11:12 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Blackarrow:
Was he embarrassed by that infamous bouncing landing...
I'm not sure I'd ask any test pilot (or any professional) if "they were embarrassed" about any event that didn't go according to plan during a situation, especially if it was their fault and even if they admitted to it. And besides, Fred Haise answers that question in his book, "Never Panic Early" on page 167 and does admit to feeling embarrassed. Why put him on the spot again? For the second part of your question... of course it provided a test point that was a training lesson for astronauts in their touchdown training and execution. That's what they were there for. In space and missile operations, I've been in simulators and real-world situations and made mistakes and learned from them, just like I've watched others make mistakes and learned from them not to do the same thing. |
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