Does this date ring a bell? Today marks the 49th anniversary of the `Eagle has landed`. It was on this date, July 20th, 1969 that man first stepped onto the surface of alien world, our moon. But as Canadians, we can also celebrate this milestone, because some of the aerospace engineers involved were CANADIANS who were laid off from the Avro Arrow program, but got hired on by NASA to help with the Apollo program. So, take a bow Canada! Still, if it weren't for Neil`s Air Force flying expertise, the whole mission could have ended in total disaster. Still an amazing achievement 49 years later.
July 20, 1969
- Thread starter stevieray
- Start date
I remember the announcement. I was on vacation with my family, in Colonial Williamsburg. Everyone crowded around a small B&W television in a gift shop (not very colonial). It was a surreal moment, even as a kid.
Mankind's greatest feat so far. Never thought the exploration of space by man would be so short lived.
KK
Mankind's greatest feat so far. Never thought the exploration of space by man would be so short lived.
KK
He was still teaching when I started at university. He was as genuine and humble as any professor I've ever known. I remember him talking on many occasions about the "calling" of engineering to do good in the world.The only human to be remembered 1000 years from now.
Hero stuff.
O
OnTheWayOut
Not short lived at all. Unmanned probes and landers plus advances like Hubble and other earth based telescopes have gleaned information unimaginable back in 1969. While 7/20/69 is and will forever remain one of our greatest moments, there are plenty more to come.
I was at NASA in Houston last year and saw a lot of Orion project equipment and training. Mankind going to Mars (and onward) is real and a ton of bright people are working hard on it. It's just a bit more involved than a "quick hop" over to our moon. I'd highly recommend a tour of the Johnson Space Center to see where we've been and where we're going. Incredible place and a highlight for me just to see it.
I had just become a teenager at the time, I've never forgotten it. Earth got lucky, The Moon was the result of a planetary collision. Without it, Earth would be just as messy as Venus.
Perhaps the most important solar system exploration event is forthcoming. On August 6th, NASA will launch the Parker Probe. It will lift off from Cape Canaveral on a Delta IV Heavy Rocket to begin it's mission to study The Sun.
Perhaps the most important solar system exploration event is forthcoming. On August 6th, NASA will launch the Parker Probe. It will lift off from Cape Canaveral on a Delta IV Heavy Rocket to begin it's mission to study The Sun.
Fully agree on the visit to Johnson, I would recommend it to anyone. Truly inspiring.
I'd stand by my "short lived" comment. As a kid in the early 70s it was inconceivable to me that we would work so hard, make such sacrifices, to get to the moon then just go home. It's still inconceivable to me. 50 years later and we're still reaping the benefits of the Apollo program. I suppose I'm just sad.
With any luck a renaissance will materialize in my lifetime.
KK
