35 years ago today...
As I stand here in my Smock... ready to tackle another day of rocket science... well... I stop and reflect back.
It was 35 years ago today that Neil Armstrong took those first steps on the moon, describing that it was one giant leap, one small step. Since that day, man has questioned weather it has happened, or better put where it happened. However after working here at NASA for 3 years I have to recount that things are obvious...
this is a government entity... meaning: lots of money is available (lots of resources=anything is possible, it also means inefficiency).
many impossible things are done in technology... meaning: there are so many things that blow my mind as to how they work (cell phones, computers, refrigerator lights). Going to the moon is quiet doable.
no matter what you say some people will never believe you... meaning: some people still believe the earth is flat. Some people still believe Elvis is alive, Some people believe man never went to the moon.
So with those obvious points, I conclude that despite what some say, we are looking at the 35th anniversary of man on the moon. What I find odd... it will take another 15 years for us to get there again.
So what do you think?
Neil Armstrong: Astronaut or Actor?
Discuss....
An Important Exploration Anniversary
Thirty-five years ago on July 20, 1969, people throughout the world looked up at the moon with awe and wonder, knowing for the first time in history that brave explorers had set foot on an extraterrestrial body.
The Apollo 11 mission marked the successful accomplishment of a bold national goal by NASA's first generation of explorers. NASA is commemorating the epic voyage of Apollo 11 this week with special programming on NASA TV and on our Web site (http://www.nasa.gov), and this evening with a Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum reception featuring Apollo 11 crew members Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin, as well as other astronaut heroes from the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. We owe so much to these pioneering explorers and to the dedicated NASA and contractor employees who made their journeys possible.
During this evening's tribute, we will have occasion to honor the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo astronauts and surviving spouses in attendance by designating them, as well as America's long-time honorary astronaut, Walter Cronkite, as NASA's "Ambassadors of Exploration." Each will be presented a sample from the 842 pounds of moon rocks and soil returned during the six lunar expeditions from 1969 to 1972. In turn, our new Ambassadors of Exploration will present these priceless samples on loan from NASA to a museum or school of their choice. The samples will be prominently displayed in order to inspire dreams of space travel in a new generation of explorers.
July 20 is also a red-letter date in the history of robotic exploration. On this day in 1976, shortly after our nation's bicentennial, the Viking 1 spacecraft landed on the surface of Mars and began in earnest the search for life beyond Earth. We are equally indebted to the architects of our planetary exploration program for ensuring that the science conducted by NASA is always daring.
As proud as we are of our storied past, we are even more excited about the exploration opportunities of the present and future. A promising new century of exploration and discovery is underway, with our sights now set on sending a combination of human pioneers and robotic explorers throughout the solar system. Our aim, just as with Project Apollo, is to go in peace for all mankind, seeking to answer profound questions and to develop breakthrough technologies that will improve life here on Earth. As this incredible journey unfolds, I am very proud that NASA will be leading the way. The Eagle has landed. The Eagle is taking flight.
Sean O'Keefe
NASA Administrator
Comments
The conspiracy theories around the "staged moon landing" seem plausible at first but then fall flat when you consider certain factors such as the fact that with a powerful telescope I've heard you can see the flag (is that true?). With certain tweaking rediculous stuff like the Roswell "crash" (but for the record I DON'T think it was a weather baloon even though I don't believe in aliens obviously) or the "Philadelphia Incident" (WWII ship with a 'cloaking device,' never mind it just used simple radar degaussing) sound "plausible" too. Anyways, I think the people that vehemntly believe this are the same folks who think it's OK to click on "100 free smilies." :P
Posted by: Dylan | July 20, 2004 11:54 AM
I couldn't believe there are people who still think the Earth is flat. In fact I'm still not sure that the site isn't a joke or something. Anyway, yes is the flag on the moon with the telescope thing true? That would put a damper on any disbelievers...on the other hand why couldn't they have just sent another flight to the moon to put the flag there. I mean, why does it take 15 yrs to make another flight? Or are they just trying to keep the next person from seeing that its not there?....ooohhhh....probing questions....stupid yes...but probing nonetheless.
Posted by: Danny | July 20, 2004 12:07 PM
I forgot about this site: moonhoax.com
Try to resist the urge to buy the video. Ha...
You can watch a brief clip where Buzz Aldrin gets understandably mad and says "I'm an honest person and if you choose not to believe me, forget about it." My thoughts exactly. I'd like to ask the guy who made the video if he can "prove" the Apollo 13 emergency was a hoax too and why spend billions of dollars on successive lanches when they're just hoaxes?! Satan's world is full of this sort of nonsense, stuff like this and UFOs are just another way to keep people's minds conflicted and overly occupied.
Posted by: Dylan | July 20, 2004 12:45 PM
Sorry, there is no way to see the flag on the moon even with a 300ft telescope.
But as for disclaiming the "we haven't gone to the moon" people, enjoy these answers.
Posted by: itzjerm | July 20, 2004 02:20 PM
Apparently today was a very very important day in history, on several accounts. For instance on today in 1801,a 1,235 lb. cheese ball was pressed at the farm of Elisha Brown, Jr. The huge ball of cheese was later loaded on a horse-driven wagon and presented to President Thomas Jefferson at the White House. Mr. Jefferson was heard to say, “That’s one small bite for man, one giant cheese for mankind.” ...I think that the "West Wing" comments on this and observes this day, secretly of course, but faithfully.
The Big Cheese (question # 13)
Posted by: Nina | July 20, 2004 04:09 PM
Conspiracy or not, the real question is: why would the government lie? To hide the use of billions of tax dollars in some attempt to oppress the people? Its a bit late to begin oppressing the people, since oppression started back when America declared its independence. Whether or not you choose to believe that man has been in space is irrelevant. If you want to think that the moon has never been touched and defiled by human presence, go right ahead. In the long run, as man continues to send satellites, space stations (yes I'm aware that was redundant) and even humans into space, those who so vehemently oppose that which is widely accepted as truth will die. As will those who accept what they've been told. In either case, the graves will be full of people who believed, and equally full of people who didn't believe. Vanity I tell you. Vanity.
Posted by: Javann Laughs Outside, Yet Cries Inside | July 20, 2004 04:25 PM
Here's a cool theory for the flat earth folk; one of my very own: Any organization that bases its studies on pataphysics is total crud. There. How's that for science.
Posted by: Captian Jonathan!!! | July 20, 2004 05:33 PM
Can't say that i have met someone who believed the earth was flat. Although in service i met a lady who thinks Elvis is still alive.
To top that i know a rocket scientist who doesn't believe in grizzly bears. In fact he thinks it's a ploy of the government.
crazy what some think
Posted by: Jillian | July 20, 2004 06:34 PM
why will it take another 15 years to go back to the moon? And why go back?
Posted by: Autumn | July 20, 2004 06:42 PM
I must admit that although I'm a firm believer in government conspiracy, I don't think this is one. I would like to think the government has enough intelligent people working for them that they could figure out a way to actually land on the moon...but then again these would also be the great geniuses who let 'the jerm' play with spaceships that cost billions of dollars =) But when all is said and done, has man been on the moon? Yes. Was the second shooter on the grassy knoll CIA? Absolutely. Are Krystals really made out of kangaroo meat? Without a doubt.
Posted by: Emily | July 20, 2004 11:21 PM
Why will it take 15 years... well the purpose is different of going back to the moon. This time it is to exist there. To put man there, build biomes and then create a launch pad to further locations. True the Lagrangian point would be a better choice. But that doesn't sound as exciting to politicians. Also the Chineese say they are going to the moon, so tis a small space race again.
And Grizzly bears, it is a ploy of the Canadian Govt.
Posted by: itzjerm | July 21, 2004 06:34 AM