What a thrilling ride the space program was in the 50's and 60's. Russia whizzed off Uncle Sam with a little metallic sphere called Sputnik, and the race was on.
John Kennedy, still stinging from the Bay of Pigs fiasco, made a speech in 1961 in which he set the goal of landing a man on the moon before the end of the decade. It made the public go "hmm . . ."
And, though it seemed like a very difficult goal to reach, on July 20, 1969, it was accomplished. And if you remember JFK, you also remember that moment when an announcement was made: "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed." And a few hours later, Armstrong's immortal line was spoken as he casually stepped out onto the moon, for the first time in human history.
I remember getting to stay up late to watch the event. I watched breathlessly as he descended the ladder, stepped off, paused a moment, and stated "That's one small step for (static) man, one giant leap for mankind."
The static forever raised the issue of whether Armstrong flubbed his line. According to urban legend clearinghouse Snopes.com, he did, leaving the article "a" out. But the static could well have covered it up.
Such is human nature. Perhaps the single greatest accomplishment of the 1960's, and we argue about what exactly was said. All I know is that if I had just taken control of a spacecraft from a computer that was guiding it towards a field of boulders, found a better landing spot, and set the craft down with 15 seconds of fuel, my first words would probably have been "Holy crap!" or something to that effect.
I remember walking out in the yard and looking up at the moon, a little bigger than half full. I was stunned at the age of nine that, at that moment, men were walking on its surface.
We didn't realize it at the time, but this was the climax of the space program. Many more trips to the moon were planned, but some were canceled as public interest waned and the cost of the trips was seen as too much when we had problems here on earth.
Speaking of that, one more permanent effect from that night in July so long ago was the addition of this introductory phrase to man's vocabulary: "If they can put a man on the moon, then why can't they . . ."
Comments (4)
There is only one mention of Operation PUMA (Bay of Pigs - Bahia de Cochinos)? Four members of the Alabama Air National Guard died trying to help salvage what JFK had set into motion by cutting the aircraft available in half, from sixteen to eight aircraft, the night before the operation kicked off assuring mission failure.
A valiant, well-planned military effort killed by yet another politician.
Recommended reading: Wings of Denial (Trest/Dodd)and/or Operations Puma: The Air Battle at the Bay of Pigs (Ferrer).
Posted by Mike | March 21, 2007 3:21 AM
Posted on March 21, 2007 03:21
A true story....Young Mr. Armstrong was 9, playing outside, and saw the next-door couple making love
through an open window,
close enough to hear.
A Mrs. Livingston said,
regarding a particular
way of pleasing Mr. Livingston, that she might consider it when the kid next door walks on the moon, in other words, NO WAY! In the NASA transcripts, out of context to everything
else, Armstrong said, about 10 minutes after the touch-down, "Mr. Livingston, I made it!"
One of the great lines in history that few know about......
Posted by scott | July 21, 2007 6:31 AM
Posted on July 21, 2007 06:31
I remember this event well! I followed the space program from the way back in the sixties! This was a major event in history. I remember the day well. I had just gotten back from a boy scout trip to Gettysburg, PA. Seems that the actual lunar landing was in the wee hours of the night. We were aloud to stay up and watch it! This was really something! Can you believe that looking up at the moon, somebody was actually standing on it's surface. It is still mind bogling today! Living here in MD, DC, we have seen all the moon rocks brought back that are in the Smithsonian. Those three astronauts and the whole NASA team are true American heroes in my book!I was 10 years old on that day!
Posted by Rivers End | May 29, 2009 9:35 PM
Posted on May 29, 2009 21:35
You left out my favorite line:
Not because it is easy, but because it is hard!
We were not afraid to try something difficult or risky. But Actually, I do not believe in taking un-necessary or dangerous steps. We lost 2 shuttles and their crews because too many did not take their positions, duties and responsibilities seriously enough. If everyone had done their job, Those 14 or so people would still be with us.
There should have been a few necks hanging from ropes after those fiascos. But justice does not go that high up. Only the little people serve time and do penance.
Posted by Scott Irv | June 1, 2009 1:39 AM
Posted on June 1, 2009 01:39