Submitted June 23, 2005, 9:09 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I watched the moonwalk while I was a postgrad student in Melbourne, Australia. There was 12 inch TV in the International Student residence and we probably had about 30 people (and nearly as many nationalities) packed into a small room. There was an interesting local slant to the day because for a large part of the time, signals from Apollo could only be picked up by receivers in Australia. The movie 'The Dish' tells a nice story about the panic they had when a fuse blew just before the walk, with the whole world waiting for the pictures!
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
At the time, it seemed to have more to do with a can-do attitude and the positivity of the early Kennedy administration. The Cold War competition was not such a big deal at the time of the wlk.
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Reading the comments on these webpages, I have been struck by how many of the correspondents were only very young at the time. I hope future generations can find their own events as inspirational as the moonwalk clearly was for many people.
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Google search on 'Moonwalk'
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Submitted December 6, 2004, 2:47 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was a young girl (just turned 4) at the time of the Moonwalk. My Dad, a career Navy man, was home that particular day and he made me watch the moon landing and then the Moonwalk. I believe I remember this so very well because I was mad as all get out to have to watch some man walk on the moon and miss seeing _Captain Kangaroo_. While I don't actually remember seeing man walk the moon for the first time, I do remember the temper tantrum I threw. I do remember watching it on a little black and white TV and we were living in Groton, CT at the time.
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I found this while surfing the web.
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Submitted November 30, 2004, 1:18 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
As an eight year old boy I was the perfect age to be captivated by men on the moon, my friends too, that summer we were amazed by little else. We built models of the Saturn 5 rockets and lunar modules, learned everything we could get our hands on and became little space experts, happily correcting any grown-up that didn't know what they where talking about.
I watched the landing at home with my mother. I clearly remember sitting on the floor, up close to our TV, watching the Eagle lunar module land, and later Neil Armstrong slowly stepping down from the module steps and say, "That's one small step for (a) man; one giant leap for mankind", then my mother burst into tears, and I knew, even then at eight years old, that I was very privileged to be a witness of one of the biggest technological events in history.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
After the Soviet successes of Sputnik and Yuri Gagarin, the USA was forced to respond by upping their stakes of the space race a hundred fold. The last technological adventure left on earth was to be first to the moon. This attempt was only possible because of the technological advances gained from the second world war. The moon-shot had become a political opportunity to beat swords to plowshares, and in 1969 the whole world joined in.
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There is a big life lesson in knowing that most of the human world has functioned successfully since before anyone today was born, it is a fact that can be hard for young people to swallow. Indeed, for lunar conspiracy theorists the idea of landing men on the moon seems so implausible that the only logical alternative must be that, "It was all staged!". I find that most lunacists (lunar conspiracy theorists) tend to be born after 1969.
When I speak to lunacists, we go through the usual, then at last I remind them of one fundamental point, that during the Apollo landings, the USSR and the USA were in the middle of an unprecedented cold war, that if the Soviets could have found anything 'Fishy' they would have been more than willing to blow the whistle on the USA. The lost reputation of the USA would then have converted easily into much needed reputation for the USSR. The Soviets had the motivation, the technology and they were there at the time, to monitor the Apollo missions with extreme interest, tracking the missions as they left earth's orbit, traveled to the moon, went into orbit around the moon, the separation of the lunar module from the command module, the landing and eventual return back to earth. Perhaps the lunacists should ask the Russians what happened in history. Ironically, when we go back to the moon and find the footprints and artifacts, the lunacists will continue to be unconvinced, "The return to the moon was also a conspiracy!".
Then there will be Mars, and all the yet to be born 'martian conspiracy theorists'.
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Submitted September 19, 2004, 11:54 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was a little boy, 4 years old. My father took me out of the bed on an hot summer night, it was 3 o´clock in the morning in Germany (July 21st).
I see the pictures on a black & white screen and was wondering about that, what was going on there, outside from Earth on the Moon.
As Neil A. Armstrong was set up his first feet on the Moon and spoke his words, I can´t remember at the age of 4, whats going on there. So - I was sitting on the chair. At the age of 6, I was watching all flights to space. And at this time, I was thinking about, that we live now in an decade, where mankind can walk on the moon. I remember Eugene Cernan, the last man on the moon in December 1972. And I was wondering, why nobody was flying to the Moon since there.
Since this time, I was space-infected. My father must tell me storys about Astronauts on the Moon, and in my head there were a lot of storys about flying in space. I was modelled several models from Revell, big Saturn V was standing in my Room, and I was playing with this things, included complete Moon Missions at special timelines.
I never lost this thinkings since this days. And I hope, that someone will think about this time, to fly back to the Moon and beyond. As Dave Scott (Commander Apollo 15) said: "Man has to explore", we have to explore whats going on there, outside our mother Earth. Because, this is the only chance to see, what is behind this "silver curtain", and anything belongs together. We can´t live without the Universe, and we all live on the same planet. We have a contract with Earth, and I hope, that space-exploration will help us for future, to understand some things.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
At first: to be the First. Political aspects are in the foreground, and also to fullfill John F. Kennedys dream. But, the scientific goals are also there, to find out - what is the Moon and where did he come from.
Nobody has at the beginning of the Space-Age hard facts, how to put a man on the Moon. And Americans said: We will do it. Why not?
United States where the onlyiest country in the world, who have the budget to serve this experience. 20 Billion of Dollars was a lot of money. The Russians try to do the same, but their things at the end of the road, did not functionated. Before, they have many successfull missions (first flight of a man into space, first 2-manned space-ship, first space-walk, first docking in space), but after that, nothing was happened with the Moon flight. So, the Americans have had their noses in front, and so they have an effort.
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Encyclopedia Astronautica from Mark Wade
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Submitted November 2, 2003, 10:12 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
"I was just 8 years old, but I knew everything about the Apollo space missions. When some relatives did visit us, my folks would ask me to perform "my routine", which consisted on explaining from heart to those relatives every detail of the trip, from the Staurn V rockets to the Eagle module, to the activities Michael Collins would have to perform while Edwin Aldrin and Neil Armstrong walked on the surface and he stayed alone orbiting the Moon. It was not a funny routine, it was informative, and 100% accurate. Indeed, it made me look more like Walter Cronkite and less like Woody Allen. I am from Caracas, Venezuela, and I remember that Shell gas stations did have a special "space" promotion: They gave away a special "album" (a cardboard with some pre-cutted circles) and you had to fill that album with some special conmemorative plastic coins of the space race. The last "coin", of course was the Apollo 11. And to get the coins my dad had to fill the tank at Shell. Well, my other recollection was the transmission thru TV here in Venezuela. I will never forget a very picturesque journalist (he's still alive today) screaming all the time "ĦHombre en la Luna! ĦHombre en la Luna!" ("Man on the Moon! Man on the Moon!") during all the transmission. The signal was in black and white. But my remembrances of it are in silver and gold, and will never be erased from my mind!
Carlos Sicilia
Caracas, Venezuela
csicilia@hotmail.com
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
Because of a mixture of geopolitical and scientific reasons. The geopolitical reason: to beat the Russians. The scientific reason: to test the technological capabilities of the United States.
Carlos Sicilia
Caracas, Venezuela
csicilia@hotmail.com
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Thanks for this wonderful idea. It's incredible to remember that again and to have a place like this to share those memories! Thanks again and again!
Carlos Sicilia
Caracas, Venezuela
csicilia@hotmail.com
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Submitted October 16, 2003, 10:13 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
On this day I was in combat. I was invloved in a "minor" battle that lasted 1 1/2 days. I put minor in quotes because this battle didn't mean much to the rest of the world. But it meant a lot to those that were there that day ( on both sides) .
About a 3 or 4 days after the event I learned of it. I was reading the article with one hand as I stripped off my clothes so that I could take my 1st shower in 2 weeks.
I was very proud of our astronaunts.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
Because it is the door step to inner space and therefore a bit closer to the mysteries that are inner and oter space.
Because we could.
Because John F. Kennedy said that we would.
Because it needed to be done.
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When I was a kid I dreamed of a trip to space. Not Sci-Fi, the real McCoy. I hoped that our space exploration would grow by leaps and bounds after the Moon landing. I have been somewhat disapointed since that time. I am thrilled everytine that there is a lift off. And I am crushed when we have a failure.
Space expolration is a risky busness. I would still go but since I am 54 years old I doubt it I will make it to orbit. But I am pulling for those brave souls who go. ( From every nation).
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Submitted October 9, 2003, 5:48 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
Our family never missed a launch or a splash down of any of the space missions. We always sat about two feet from the television set completely enthralled by Walter Cronkite's every word. By the time of the lunar explorations I was 14 and had seen the space program develop from infancy. I memorized the simulations from launch to landing as scientists and journalists described these historic events over and over again. When Neil Armstrong finally stepped down onto the lunar surface, my mother and I cried. What a site!
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
I never paid attention to the politics of the space race until I was much older. I was always caught up in the awe of discovery and exploration. I understand now how the space programs in both the Soviet Union and the United States were trully political posturing but then, it just didn't matter.
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I have always remembered the story my grandmother told me about the Mercury flight of Gordon Cooper. While he was orbiting the Earth, the city of Shawnee, OK--home to Gordon Cooper and my dad's family--left all of their lights on throughout the night in hopes that he would be able to see his home town. I couldn't fathom it then, but the satellite pictures of America lighted by night always bring that story to mind. Maybe Cooper really did see that small city aglow below him.
The seeds of aerospace planted in the 60's have stuck with me over the years as I have shared those adventures with my students in the classroom. Attending aerspace workshops, camps, and professional development opportunities over the years, I hope I have given my students a taste of what space exploration has been and will continue to be.
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Submitted October 8, 2003, 9:13 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I can remember coming inside from picking raspberries in the garden and watched the graining images coming from the tv. Since VCR's were unheard of and you couldn't get a decent picture with 8mm film at the time we tape recorded it. I don't know what for, I guess at the time it was one of the bigger things that had ever happened. I remember the tv covereage of the people around the world and at Disneyland, the world of tomorrow exhibit.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
Because we weren't going to be second to any other country. John Kennedy said we were going to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade, and public sympathy made it so.
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Submitted October 7, 2003, 8:59 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
When man walked on the moon, I was babysitting two cousins in the Pruitti Igoe projects in St. Louis Missouri. While this historic event was taking place I learned the irony in the fact that the building across from me someone had yet again set fire to the laundry mat on it's 13th floor.
Awe and destruction happening at the same time; the haves walking on the moon while the have nots are destroying property and dreams.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
The United States put a man on the moon because we wanted to top the Russians. Sputnik made a lot of people unhappy so the U.S. wanted to prove to the world that we could meet the challenge to be in space first.
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Submitted October 6, 2003, 11:41 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was at a cottage on a lake, without television, when men landed on the moon. I wasn't impressed by the news on the radio. Like many other things, something that, from years away, seems exciting, becomes dulled by the years of step-by-step progress. In July of 1969, I was preoccupied with the war in Vietnam. A moon landing wasn't very important in comparison.
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Submitted June 13, 2003, 1:03 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
1. Feeling like I was suddenly thrust into the 21st century with Walter Cronkite, that the dream of 2001 would actually precipitate.
2. Looking at the crecent moon on July 20, 1969 as those two were actually walking on it (captured on Kodak film).
3. First time not sleeping in over two days.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
Primarily cold war politics - all people have bold curiosity, but not the bank account available for impressive acts.
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I believe that the moon landing was the pinnacle of human achievement - as if the moment was transplanted from the next century. Now that we are actually IN the "next" century, well, I may have to reconsider.
I believe that it'll be a terribly long time before such an age will be upon mankind again.
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Bumped into it during researching the Sloan Foundation
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Submitted June 3, 2003, 4:50 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was extremely young when the first moon walk occurred (I was 4 and a half). However, I remember it because my parents were so excited. They---who never watched television---had the entire family (my two older sisters and brother) sit in front of the t.v. I sat on my mother's lap and I remember her holding me tightly throughout the whole event and I remember the fuzziness of our tv (either the tv or the broadcast was done in black and white). My parents must have impressed this moment on me by talking about it repeatedly throughout the following years and months as it is one of my earliest memories.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
I've always assumed that the main motivation to put a man on the moon was the desire to beat the Soviets. I am not sure when I first became aware of this aspect of the moon race but I know it was relatively early on (I was a child and I still remember whenever cosmonauts went up in the 1970s feeling the way you feel when the opposing time was up at bat---as my parents were extremely liberal and unlikely to have pitched the space race as a desire to beat the Soviets at any and all costs, I can't help but assume that this idea of a race was something which came through in the broadcasts and various space flights during the early 1970s.
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I was living in London when the 25th anniversary of the moon walk occurred. The BBC did a great job of showing clips and footage from the event---but from a British perspective. It was wonderful to see it from this perspective and to realize that the feelings I had abt this event were shared by people in other countries. It also made me feel oddly proud to be an American.
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Submitted May 30, 2003, 5:45 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
When Neil Armstrong took his historic first step, I was sitting in stop and go traffic between Cape Cod and Boston. I remember thinking, "sure, we can put a man on the moon but we can't find a way to get around down here faster than 5 mph." That assessment of our technology is as accurate today as it was in 1969.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
National egotism, with a course steered by a dead President.
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The lunar landing was remarkable and welcome news in the midst of a national calamity (Vietnam), but just think of what we didn't accomplish down here with all those dollars.
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Submitted May 4, 2003, 12:17 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I (age 13 1/2) was watching our new color TV with my parents and my 10-year-old brother. How I wished the live TV pictures from the lunar surface on Apollo 11 had been in color, especially as TV pictures from the lunar surface on all the subsequent moon landings were transmitted in color. By contrast, telecasts of the launch, splashdown, and broadcasts from the command module (which stayed in orbit around the moon) were in color.
Unlike the majority of Americans, who watched CBS' Walter Cronkite, we watched the moonwalk on NBC. Although Frank McGee was anchoring their coverage, I recall that he left most of the commentary during the moonwalk to his two expert analysts--astronaut Rusty Schweickart and geologist Dr. Harold Urey. I do recall that McGee did announce the time after the landing ("It is 4:17 P.M., Eastern Daylight Time") and right after Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon ("It's 10:56 P.M."), possibly to add context to the unfolding events.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
It was at the time considered political, as America's national prestige would have suffered for decades to come had the Russians been first to land men on the moon. It was only years later that we learned how close they were to doing it. Were it not for the explosion of the Soviet N-1 rocket (which was the equal of the American Saturn 5 in size and thrust) during an unmanned test launch in early 1969, the Russians might have landed men on the moon a few weeks before Apollo 11.
Today, the moon landing is not remembered as a political victory, but as perhaps the greatest scientific achivement in history.
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I enthuastically followed space flights as a youngster. I looked forward to every launch and whether at home or at school, I'd be able to watch every launch and splashdown on live television.
I only wish home VCR's had been around as far back as the first manned Mercury launch in 1961. If they had been, I might now have a basement full of tapes of TV coverage of early space flights.
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Submitted March 7, 2003, 9:36 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
We were all gathered around the TV at my parent's summer house. We were the only one of our friends that had one there because for most of them coming to the lake was an escape. There were all the Smith's, the Jacoby's and my family.
I was sitting on the floor in front of the console TV, we were all so excited, like we were there with them.
We watched, mostly silent but the atmosphere in the room was just quivering.
When it was over I went swimming, I stayed under water as long as I could pretending I was floating in space, I did that for days after.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
To be first, to see if we could and for scientific research.
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Submitted March 7, 2003, 4:59 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
July 20th was a special day for our family even before the Apollo 11 moon landing and the "Giant Leap". My lucky older sister is fortunate enough to have been born on that date. We lived in Montgomery, Alabama in 1969 and July 20 is always a hot and steamy day. I recall stepping outside the front door of our house after watching the afternoon landing coverage on our little 12" TV set and soaking up some sunshine as my chest swelled with pride over what my nation had just accomplished.
We made a special "moonscape" birthday cake for my sister's party that night. The whole family gathered around the tiny television to watch that historic first step by a human on another world. Sometimes, I had to strain to understand what Aldrin and Armstrong were saying as the TV speaker had to compete with the gnawing roar of our Sears & Roebuck window-unit air conditioner. The pictures were a little less clear than I had hoped for, but NASA was pushing those then new communications technologies to the limit. I was grateful to see the moon walk at all.
I was so overwhelmed by the excitement of being able to witness a major milestone in history, that I did not sleep at all that night. I watched TV until the local station signed-off (no cable or TV satellites in those days) and then I searched for distant Chicago, New York and St. Louis radio coverage on my handheld transistor radio. Finally, the paperboy tossed the paper onto out front porch. I will never forget the slapping sound of that paper. I still have that newspaper. Here is an image of the front page:
http://www.business.uab.edu/cache/greatday.htm
The special spirit of that day still lives within me and probably will be with me as long as my soul lasts. July 20th needs to become an official US day of commemoration.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
The irrepressible spirit of exploration is wired into us. There is little doubt that the SPACE RACE energized America and the Soviet Union for the moon effort. Perhaps the moon landing came many decades earlier than otherwise might have been as a result of the Cold War competition. Our journey to the moon was inevitable however, and we are a changed race of beings as a result. The fruits of Apollo are just beginning to be realized. The future will be an exciting time for those who are yet to be born.
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People can sign an Apollo Day petition here:
http://www.july20th.us
Visit my "space pages at: http://www.business.uab.edu/cache/
and
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SpaceADG/
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invitation from Joan Fragaszy
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Submitted March 6, 2003, 5:50 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
Most people don't know or remember that the picture of Neil Armstrong desending the ladder was upside down to start with. "It is currently upside down on the moniter" is how mission control put it." I believe I remember the TV commentator saying that most of the people in the world were "standing on their heads right now". Of course, it was fine by the time that Neil made the first step.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
To beat the Russians and because Kennedy had set the goal for us to do it.
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The moon program was the best thing to happen to this country in the 2nd half of the 20th century. It saved the 60's from being remembered as one of the worst decades in American history.
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Submitted March 6, 2003, 2:39 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was in my living room with my parents and remember the walk was scheduled for July 21st. I was excited that they were early which meant they would first walk on the moon on my 12th birthday.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
Essentially, to win the space race. President Kennedy had issued the challenge to get a man to the moon and return him safely by the end of the decade and the can do American attitude completed the mission.
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It remains a fantastic achievement and evidence that anything can be achieved with determination and those who will take risks.
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Submitted March 5, 2003, 8:37 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
Although I was only 6 years old at the time, I can clearly remember watching the moonwalk on our TV. We had extra reason to pay attention to it, for we lived near Houston and the Manned Spacecraft Center, and my father worked for NASA. He was a software developer and helped write the software that allowed the spacecraft to rendezvous in orbit. But I wasn't aware of that then; all I knew was that this was one big event, perhaps the biggest thing ever. And at 9:56 PM Central time on July 20, I was watching CBS with my mom and dad (I don't remember if my 2-year-old sister was awake), being amazed by the fuzzy black & white images coming from the moon. I'm not sure if I stayed awake for the whole event, but I definitely remember the flag being planted on the lunar surface.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
The main reason was to do it before the Soviets did. Sure, we got some wonderful and invaluable scientific data, but the main motivation was national pride. And once we got there for the first time, much of the support for the moon program vanished. It's unfortunate that it happened that way, for I believe that if we'd kept up our lunar explorations, we'd have a permanent base on the moon now.
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I hope we can find the national or international will to go back to the moon. We can use it as a stepping stone to Mars, developing the skills necessary to survive on extended missions. I'd love to see this happen before I pass away. I'd love to have my young nieces and nephew experience the thrill of seeing men and women explore another world.
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A posting to sci.space.news
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Submitted March 3, 2003, 10:29 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
To remember the moon walk, I had to remember my mother standing in the kitchen amongst shattered dishes she had dropped the day Kennedy was assassinated. It was my first memory that I can recall, and she turned to me and said you can be anything, just don't be president... I asked if I could be an astronaut.
I had never been up after 10:00pm in my whole life, but my father and mother woke my brothers and I to watch television and Neil Armstrong stepping on the moon. Walter Cronkite looked as if he would burst, amazed, and breathless, "The Eagle has landed." My brothers went back to bed, but even though I was the youngest, I couldn't stop looking at the bug on the moon, the Eagle on a dead world, and when Neil Armstrong stepped down that ladder, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind..." I think my heart stopped. I wanted to be him, and from Wapakaneta, just up the road from my hometown, you could hear the cries for their native son, and our now national hero, the first man on the moon. I stayed up until my mother made me go to bed, it was daylight by then, and she didn't let me sleep long, but since that day I have always looked at the moon and thought to myself, "...one day, perhaps..."
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
In addition to the achievement of being first, there were many political aspects to the cold war, the most notable being the space race, because it's successes and failures were so very public. It's hard to hide an exploding rocket as it races into space. Ultimately, the politcal aspect weakened, and the scientific aspect intensefied, however, even today, politics and budgets drive our exploration and experimentation of space, and I believe we have fallen behind our ability in persuing the unknown....
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Submitted February 6, 2003, 5:23 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was twelve at the time. I was spending the summer at Boy Scout camp somewhere in New Jersey I think. It was a horrible rainy summer. The only bright spot was Apollo 11. Those ghostly B&W images -- it took a few seconds to figure out what you were seeing -- were just about as amazing as you could think. Watching it was maybe like what watch the first television transmissions ever felt like. We sat in a tent with a jury rigged antenna trying to get a decent picture -- I can totally feel the sense of pride I felt that day even now.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
Well, obviously the cold war/space race had a lot to do with it. But I tend to believe that we were fulfilling a destiny which began with the earliest explorers. Man needs to reach out -- it's a part of our psyche. If that wasn't true, we'd all still be living in some small part of Africa.
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I hate saying it but I think Humankind isn't ready to journey beyond Earth any more ... we've lost sight of what's important, how to take care of our own planet, how to become something bigger than we are today. We showed promise 25 years ago, and I have hope for future generations, but for the time being, until we find some real leadership, we'll have to live vicariously through whatever scaled back planetary missions Nasa can squeeze out on it's miserably small budget.
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Name
Submitted September 28, 2002, 11:49 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I don't really have a personal memory of the moonwalk, since I was only 8 months old at the time. But it was something that clearly affected my parents deeply. As child I was told often about how amazed and proud and stunned they were to see it. My dad took pictures of the little black & white TV screen and of mom holding me up to see the TV. They still have those pictures somewhere, I hope!
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
Now, of course, I understand about the Cold War and the space race. But growing up in Houston, I think we viewed the moonwalk and the space program in more absolute terms: it was about progress and science and exploration and American ingenuity, and only incidentally about beating the Soviets.
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I'm amazed at how much we take for granted now. In college I roomed with the daughter of a "NASA-nerd"--a program control engineer. Every once in a while she'd call home to find her dad totally fatigued, the family's schedule disrupted, and everybody stressed out. "Shuttle's up," she'd say...but often we hadn't heard anything in the news! Ten years on, it seems we're even more blase, but we benefit from space-based research and engineering every day.
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Name
Submitted September 21, 2002, 2:13 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I loved everything about it. I was 9 years old. My brother and I made cardboard models of the landing module. We watched the landing on our huge black and white floor model t.v. I also remember waiting in a doctors office with my mom early that day, and the adults were speculating about what would happen when we landed on the moon. Most thought it was a wonderful endeavor. Others thought the world might end because we really were supposed to stay on earth and not venture out like that. I remember one person said that the moon might turn to blood. As a 9 year old, that was a scarey thought.
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Name
Submitted August 30, 2002, 1:36 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I remember being at my grandmother's house when Neil first stepped on the lunar surface. I was only 7 years old at the time. I had total control of her 20 inch floor model black and white TV.
I remember wishing that the TV picture was clearer, because I wanted to see the lunar surface myself. The images of the astronauts jumping around seemed to have a ghostly appearance, because of the limitations of camera technology. I was fascinated at the way they had to hop to get around.
Even at age 7, I was elated to see them land successfully.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
It was more for the worldly status of being the first to land than it was for scientific knowledge, that was more a byproduct of the mission. I didn't know that when they landed, but came to that realization years later.
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I just remember that even at age 7, I knew that the first landing on the Moon was a momentous event.
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Name
Submitted August 16, 2002, 10:41 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was about 13 at the time. I remember watching it on TV, but didn't really understand the scale of it until I got older. I remember listening to the News with Walter Cronkite and Wally Schirra explaining what was happening. Then, finally the pictures as the Lander touched down. That was great.
It was an incredible time. Then when I joined NASA at one point, I really got to understand the amount of work that was put into bringing that to fruition and am still amazed today. But the men at that time were pretty special. I wish that time was more important today then it is currently.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
It started out as a race between the US and Russia and then Kennedy said we would do it, and the wheels were put in motion for that. They succeeded but barely by 1969. When I joined NASA as a student in 1976, the wheels were nearly stopped and alot of NASA Engineers and Scientists were lamenting that this was the end. They were right, we haven't made it back there since. We may in the future though with another generation and greater politics as well as a President to support the trip. That is what it would take. Unless there is a strong Private Company to finance something like that.
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I am sorry that the Moon Landing has nearly been forgotten except by a few. There are still talks of going back to the Moon and Mars and we are still waiting but there is not the money. Congess is too tied up with Terrorists right now and war Universe explorations are far from their minds.
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Name
Submitted August 11, 2002, 6:31 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
From predawn to after midnight, my day (July 20) was saturated with Apollo 11...glued to the radio and TV. This was the day! Emotions were high. Anticipation was very real and alive. I was very thankful for being a part of the space program and the first manned lunar landing. It was a special day and I felt the spirit of the space program and Apollo in my heart and soul. The journey to the moon and the final moments to the landing was a part of my life I shall never forget. I was on the edge of my seat and soaking in every moment...very proud of America and very proud of Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins. Later in the night, I walked outside and looked toward the heavens and was thankful for it all. What a day!
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
For many reasons. The greatest reason of all...it was a challenge; an adventure. It was the call of our generation that reached the heart and soul. We put a man on the moon because, as far back as I can remember, we were dreamers and we were willing to make big decisions and carry them out. Our character was real. The Apollo program was a prime example of who we were and what we could do. Our generation was a daring generation, and we moved in our own way. We made it our business to prove the spirit and challenge of America. The lunar landing was for us. It seemed very right for us to take up the challenge of space...even put a man on the moon. And we did it. Most of all, we exercised our wisdom and strength.
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Keep the dream alive...embrace the accomplishments of the past and meet the dreams and challenges of the future. We can't afford to pass up the many opportunities ahead. It gives me great pleasure to celebrate the space program of the past and share it with others. It was a fantastic experience that has touched lives. I am thankful to be a part of the generation that took on the challenges of space and the moon. We made it! I don't know where the dreamers are today, but the spirit of Apollo is alive for sure.
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Name
Submitted July 27, 2002, 11:01 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was watching the lunar landing coverage on CBS covered by Walter Cronkite and Wally Schirra. Walter was (and still is) the grand master of covering the Apollo program.
Walter was getting very involved with the story as you could hear the live transmissions coming from the powered descent phase of the landing. The animation provided by CBS was quite good, and synched well to the story. I was also photographing the TV screen using color ekatchrome slide film using my astrophotography camera - it was kind of neat that the same camera I had been using to "shoot" the Moon for real was now "shooting" the Moon landing. I had photographed Mare Tranquilitatis before, but it would never be the same again.
As the last few seconds before landing ticked away, I think the whole world was collectively holding its breath....I know I was and so was Walter. I still remember the glee and relief when we heard "Contact Light", "Engine Off" calls from Aldrin. At that precise moment Walter wiped his eyes and said "Whew, boy!!!!" or words to that effect.
To this day I remember the TV screen flashing "MAN IS ON THE MOON". It still gives me goosebumps, even after all these years.
I have the original CBS News hardcover commemorative edition of their coverage. The endpaper is a 3D relief of the landing zone and the spine is emblazened with the precise date and time of Armstrong setting foot on the Moon: 10:56:20PM 7/20/69.
I, nor the world, would ever be the same after that.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
The United States, under JFK, was engaged in a space race with the Soviets. The Russians had won the initial heats handsomely with the 1st orbiting of Sputnik, the first man in Space with Gagarin, the first orbiting of the Earth. We were playing catch up in a big way.
JFK made his famous "We chose to go to the Moon" speech in order to galvanize the country into a single mind set - "land a man on the Moon and return him safely to Earth before this decade is out". When you think about it, our country has not had a singularly galvanizing speech and committment since then - not even 9/11.
JFK also wanted to leave his mark on history as being the President who got America to the "Last Frontier". He knew that no other goal would leave such a legacy for the future to marvel about. He was also very caught up in the adventure of manned spaceflight. He had several of the astronauts to the White House after their missions and he made trips to the Cape to personally observe what was occurring.
I believe the world would have been a lot different in JFK had not been assassinated. I think he would not have gotten us so deeply into the Vietnam War and the Apollo Program would have flown missions 18-20. It is also quite possible that if he had lived, he would have been re-elected and NASA would probably never left the Moon entirely. But, that is another question to ponder when we look at the Ruler of the night and contemplate the footsteps we left behiind.
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Apollo 8, with Borman, Lovell and Anders, was the mission that had the greatest effect on me. When the astronauts were reading from Genesis on Christmas Eve, 1968, while in orbit around the Moon, I was observing the Moon with my 6" telescope. Of course I could not see the spacecraft, but I could SEE the Moon very up close and personal. Hearing them read from the Bible, on Christmas Eve, with the 1.25 second delay, while photons from the Moon were entering my eye, was very, very moving to me. I was one with the astronauts and the Universe at that moment in time.
It was a feeling I have never experienced since - how could I? Man was in orbit around the Moon for the first time in history, on Christmas Eve, with a crescent Moon hanging in the Western sky and me watching and hearing it all live.
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Name
Submitted July 24, 2002, 5:58 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
Like many at the time, my family and I were glued to the television watching and listening to all reports on the
moon landing. My father had a large reel-to-reel tape recorder and we spliced into the speaker wires on our TV
in order to record the audio on this historic event. I still own that tape. Even though the images being transmitted
from the moon landing were not the best, we all had the sense that this event helped to transport everyone on
this planet into the cosmos. We nolonger felt tied to this small blue ball traveling around the sun. This event only
helped to strengthen my career goal to be part of the space program in some manner. After college, I spent 24
years in the Air Force as a Space Operations Officer (one of a very select group at the time), and I am proud to say,
I am continuing my space involvement today as a contractor supporting military and civilian space efforts.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
It was the Cold War, and the US could not afford to allow the USSR to beat the US to the moon. The US needed
to clearly show that only a democratic country, and not a country governed under communism; could achieve
such a milestone in the history of mankind. We did not go to the moon "because it was there" or for scientific reasons.
Bottom Line: We had to beat the Russians! This was one space "first" the USSR would not be allowed to achieve.
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Name
Submitted July 23, 2002, 6:36 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
The Vietnam War was going on. I had just completed Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and driven home to Louisville, Kentucky. I was staying at my brother's house and we watched the landing on television in his basement. What a thrill that was to see the landing! The picture quality was not very good, but good enough.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
To beat the USSR. I would rather the reason had been to begin manned space exploration, but that was not to be. We needed a driving force and the Soviet Union provided it. I remember also the launching of Sputnik in 1957. I was interested in electronics and amateur radio. The air was charged with excitement and promise of things to come.
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With the moon landing, I had high hopes. Not long before, the Stanley Kubrick film, _2001: A Space Odyssey_ had debuted. I rememeber thinking how exciting the next 30 years was going to be. Unfortunately, we were more concerned with what was "inside the circle" than with what lay outside of it.
It is now 2002, and I am an amateur astronomer. One thing I can attest, the universe is a much different place than we anticipated.
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Name
Submitted July 23, 2002, 5:30 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was in Europe, in amsterdam. I remember coming into a coffee house of sorts and seeing the piictures. It felt incredibly exciting: we were out there, our first steps into the universe. Europeans were congratulating all the Americans. It felt great to being part of our next great adventure!
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Name
Submitted July 22, 2002, 6:00 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
As for July 20, 1969...
I was just a young creature from the "Blue Planet", watching and
listening to the broadcast... meanwhile drinking my juice.
Not until 1971, I started to collect all the fine (photographic) prints of the
Apollo XI Mission. The white rocket, the people, the lander, the rover, and those famous pictures of "The Earth" taken from "The Moon". I even bought the "LOOK: 1969 Year Book" about that event.
The music: Apollo XI
by: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (SUGAR TAX c. 1991)
"10... 9... ignition sequence starts... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1...
ZERO, all engines must Lift off!... We have a lift off!" (363 feet
of clean' "white" equipment pushed up into the blue sky...)
"It was beautiful from Here! (Landed on the Moon)"
"One Giant Leap for Mankind..."
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
"This is about CONTROL"
To demonsatrate the absolute power/control over the counterparts of the COLD WAR.
Bluffing or not, the event put the U.S. ahead of the U.S.S.R. at the time.
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The vision of "Space Exploration": a seed the late US President (JFK) would like to plant inside the American Society --- The possibilities of space travel, and the possibilities that "we" are not "alone" (in this universe).
"CONTACT" is posible.
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Name
Submitted July 22, 2002, 3:37 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was 8 living on an Army base in Heidelberg, Germany. My family all watched the landing together, and my Grandmother was with us visiting. I remember how scared my Grandmother was (she was 60 something then)that something terrible would happen if man set foot on the moon. She was convinced that man going to the moon was agaist God's law, and that we would be punished for going there. I thought this was pretty wacky, but as I grew older I realized how someone of her generation and background could be overwhelmed by the rapid pace of technological change in here lifetime. Airplanes, television, computers, rockets to the moon, must have been a lot to absorb for someone who grew up with horses and trains as the norm for advanced technology. Her religious convictions led here to fear the unknown. Today, it seems that religious ideology has just as strong a hold on the ignorant and uneducated, both in the Middle East/Third World as well as the United States. While I am very pro-technology, and have built a career in the comnputer industry, I think that the continued advancement of technology will provide benefits to most societies, but many less-developed socities will be left behind and continue to be dominated by the fear inherent in religious ideology. It seems that people have not changed much after all.
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Name
Submitted July 21, 2002, 6:55 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
It started as any other Sunday, a particularly sunny Sunday at that. I had been looking forward to the landing and the wait for Neil Armstrong to come out from the LEM seemed to take forever. My eyes were glued to our black and white TV set... I stared at the fuzzy picture trying to make out every rock and 'reflective' moon landscape... all the while thinking 'this is going to be a big moment if not the biggest moment in history', then Neil was visible from the 'door' and started his descent down the ladder. There were pauses in between, thank goodness, because they helped me catch my breath. Then the moment came. The moon was finally reached and touched. At that moment (and some other memorable Apollo mission moments) humanity was one.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
At the time, it was for political reasons. But, without the drive and commitment of the men and women behind the missions, it would not have been possible.
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I couldn't help but think about my GGG- grandfather. He brought his (now obsolete) telescope and astronomy books from the o'l country. He passed his love of Astronomy on to his children. My grandfather used to tell my mother when she was a child, "You see that moon? Someday humans WILL walk on the moon". Those were the days when he would have been called a lunatic. When I saw Neil Armstrong walk on the moon, I thought, with a smile and a nod 'this moment is for you too grandfather'.
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Name
Submitted July 21, 2002, 3:57 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was watching the TV with my great grandmother, who had been born in 1882 long before the advant of flight. As we sat there, and the Eagle landed, followed by the first footsteps on the moon by Neil Armstrong, I can remember marvelling at how much she had experienced in her life. How the technology had changed her existence so much, and yet she was still there, watching, interested and part of the future. I wondered with so much change in such a short space of time, how my future would look if I lived to her age...Of course in many ways not that much has changed, its almost like we have treaded water in manned exploration of space since then...perhaps its politics, perhaps it was because the moon really didn't have emuch to offer.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
Pure politics...a testosterone delusion bought by Kennedy, followed by Johnson. In many ways, that win at any cost mentality serves to drive the terrorist forces today who sneak around and attack America, afraid to stand up and confront us face to face.
But we are lucky the Russians weren't trying to grow the biggest butt...Oh wait we have that title too!!
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Name
Submitted July 21, 2002, 2:09 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
It was quite late. I had been sleeping when my parents woke us up to see what was happening. The picture quality was poor, but remember seeing Armstrong stepping off the footpad and giving the "One small step for Man.." speech.
I also remember thinking that it would be neat to explore the area shown by the camera as Aldrin installed it.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
I beleive we did it to show that we could do it.
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I think that we should return to the Moon, and go on to Mars. civilizations that do no expand tend to stagnate and collapse.
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Name
Submitted July 21, 2002, 12:41 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was always into the sciences and when the announcement was made that the next lift-off was for a moon walk, I marked my calendar so that I'd be home to watch the hoped for safe landing on the moon. I was transfixed to the television, hardly breathing and listening to Walter Cronkite describing the event. When there was touchdown, tears came to his eyes and I cried as well. That is a moment frozen in my mind unlikely to be repeated.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
It was our way of showing the world that we can lead in ways unheard of by mankind up to that time. Beating the Russians, at that time, was as good as beating them in Olympic Hockey.
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Name
Submitted July 21, 2002, 9:20 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was an 8-year-old boy living in London, England. My mother called me into the living room to watch television. My whole family was there to witness this "live via satelite" event. We all watched in nervous anticipation as Neil Armstrong descended the LEM ladder and stated his great quote. The television picture was in black and white, the astronaut EVA images blurred during any fast movement. What stood out the most, was the alien way the astronauts moved and bounced on the moon. I consciously recalled that I wanted to remember this moment forever.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
It was in response to the early successes of their main political and econmic rival, the Soviet Union. Under Sergei Korolev's guidance, the Soviets space program had a technical advantage with serious military implications. The challenge by President Kennedy in 1961 to put a man on the moon was calculated to allow the U.S. space program time to catch up. Through the methodical baby steps of Mercury and Gemini, the U.S. achieved its' giant leap through Apollo. This event was another front in the "cold war" between the two super powers.
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Name
Submitted July 21, 2002, 1:20 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was working at a department store having just gotten out of the Air Force. Everyone in the store stopped what they were doing and stood mesmerized at the TV counter. In unison, we all let out a cheer.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
National Pride... to beat the Russians.
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Name
Submitted July 21, 2002, 1:01 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
Done at paramount studio with studio effects.
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Name
Submitted July 20, 2002, 5:48 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
As the summer of 1969 began, I was most excited
about just graduating from high school and celebrating my 18th birthday on July 20.
Following the trips by the astronauts, whose names
everyone knew as the true heroes they were, was
something that everyone did, especially so for
those of us whose fathers worked at White Sands
Missle Range in New Mexico. When the "Big Day"
came, my friends and I had returned home from eating out and found everyone glued to the black
and white TV. Watching Neil Armstrong inch down the ladder and take the first step on the moon was
an extremely proud and emotion-filled moment.
That night, the moon looked just a little different in the sky, perhaps somewhat closer! I
still find moon-watching an inspiring pasttime,
as it is a reminder of what men can do when they
study hard, work hard, and dream just as hard.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
The United States worked hard to develop the tech-
nology to be able to put a man on the moon to put
in place the dreams and capabilities of men for
many centuries. The success of Sputnik was an im-
petus for everyone in this country to get together
and make a dream come true---for all mankind.
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Name
Submitted July 20, 2002, 5:13 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
That night my family was traveling to our grandparents. We were in a Olds "Vista Cruiser". We had a small 9" B/W tv that plugged in to the ciggareete lighter. We stopped at a Dairy Queen in Atlanta and opened the rear in the parking lot. After a few minutes their were 40-50 people all huddled around this small tv watching this event. When Armstrong set foot cheers erupted and i can still remember this feeling today.
Ken Lunceford, Columbus Georgia
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
to futher our exploration of the moon
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Name
Submitted July 20, 2002, 12:13 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
My most vivid memory was Walter Cronkite crying. The only other time I can remember this happening was when Kennedy was killed. My family had gathered at the home of my grandparents, and all sat together to watch. We were all in awe, and for someone who wanted to be like Alan Shepard, it was motivational to continue the dream. I still have that dream and one of these you will see me in an orange flight suit walking to that transfer van!
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
The cold war was on and no nation trusted any other nation. All were flexing their political muscles to show strength. President Kennedy wanted
desperately to extend man's reach into the cosmos. President Johnson was in charge of the Space program under Kennedy and continued his interest and support after his innaugeration. All things considered, in my opinion we went to the moon to stir patriotism. We had little to believe in and the US was suffering from a lack of unification. Kennedy, Apollo 1, Apollo 11, Challenger, and 9-11 all served to stir our patriotism in the midst of national tragedy.
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NASA is looking at returning to the moon, possibly establishing a moon colony there. I think this is a great idea. God has given us this cosmos to explore. To stay home would be a great loss.
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Name
Submitted July 20, 2002, 10:38 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
This was part of a series of ongoing events in man's struggle to discover his origins.
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Dear Chrissie,
During the 50's, I read about
either a World's Fair or A Space Exposition held in Brussels,
wherein a challenge was issued to put a man in space (or on the
Moon), I don't remember which. The article was in "Popular Science
Magazine".
I leave it to you to do the research.
As far as I know, that started 'the race'. Russia won points with
Sputnik, Kennedy demanded the moon, and we won that.
In the 60's I was a Test Engineering Consultant on the LM Vehicle
Ground Support Equipment under Project Apollo, and in the early 70's
I was employed by a company who developed part of the bio backpack
worn by the astronauts during their moonwalk.
I have many memories. I looked at your web site and was
disappointed with some of the responses.
If you are serious in your quest, or have any further questions,
please contact me directly.
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Name
Submitted July 20, 2002, 9:52 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I most certainly do remember where I was and what I was doing that night. It was a Saturday night, and my ex and I were having a barbecue--which we always did once a year on a Saturday night, having anywhere from 40 to 80 people there. By the time of the moonwalk, however, most people had left. The rest, about 15 plus my ex, our kids, and the kids of the other couples who were there, crowded into our small living room and turned on the TV in order to watch this historic event. I remember the words Mr. Armstrong spoke. I can close my eyes and see his foot descend from the step of the lunar module and land on the actuality of the moon. All of a sudden, there were fireworks and cheers all over the neighborhood.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
The Russians had been ahead of the United States in space exploration, and we were playing catch-up ball for a long time. It is possible that the Russians, if they had been the first to land on the moon, would have used it to set up some sort of spy network or something of that nature. We had to prevent that from happening.
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It is at time such as that night, as well as in times of tragedy, that Americans show their true patriotism. It is important that we reach out to other worlds. It is my firm belief that there are other inhabited planets out there, and we should really keep trying to find them.
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Name
Submitted July 19, 2002, 8:43 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was 13 years old and my parents both worked for Grumman Aerospace - one of the companies that worked on the Lundar Module. My parent's were both involved in programs related to the assembly of the module so our family had a particular sense of quiet pride in the moon landing. I recall standing in the livingroom with my mother, father, maternal grandmother (who lived with us) and my older brother - all watching the landing unfold on a black and white television set encased in a faux colonial style cabinet. When the first steps on the moon actually occurred my parents and grandmother all toasted each other with Rye highballs - while my brother and I lifted our glasses filled with orange soda - the strongest libation we were allowed. The lunar landing remains a vivid memory of my late childhood.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
Display of national strength, technological prowess and determination and perhaps future global domination
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Name
Submitted July 19, 2002, 1:09 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was attending a concert as a sixteen year old with my boyfriend. The group playing was called Ina Gadda Da Vida. It was a way out rock group at the time. After the break, the group came back and announced. "They've landed on the moon!" It made the remainer of the evening truly sureal.
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Name
Submitted July 19, 2002, 10:38 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was five years old and I remember seeing the moon landing. I wondered why we were putting
a man on the moon. I learned later in School that President Kennedy challenged a nation to put it's ideas on
how to put a man on the moon by the end of the 1960's. The nation need a challenged since the Cold War
began between the US and USSR (Russia).
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
President Kennedy challenged the nation's scientific minds and prove that American technology was superior
to any nation in the world.
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It was not after the Man Landing did I get involved with TV show Star Trek, it got wondering what the future
would be like 300 years from now and for a while there got me interested in space.
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Name
Submitted July 19, 2002, 6:52 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I remember the ghostly images very well, I was eleven years old and was glued to the TV. I was concentrating so intently I was completely ignoring all around me. I remember having trouble trying to work out what was happening because I expected that once the LM had landed, the astronauts would simply open the hatch and get out. Only in later years through continued interest, visiting sites on the internet did I realise what was going on inside the spacecraft as I was watching all those years ago.
When Niel Armstrong made his descent down the ladder and then stepped onto the surface I had goosebumps running up and down my body.
I was absolutely, totally in awe of what was taking place so far away from us, and to be watching it live was almost unbelievable.
It is a moment that will be etched in my memory for the rest of my life. I only hope that generations to come will have the same thrill that I had when man steps onto new planetary bodies.
I am so proud to have been there as mankind's greatest achievement unfolded and I sat and watched history in the making.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
Simple. The cold war. Completely a political decision. It would have been embarrassing for the US government to have lost the race to the moon.
In hindsight, we can see now that the Russians were never going to make it before the Americans anyway.
All the hype about man wanting to explore new worlds was never the intention of the government. It was NEVER going to spend any serious money on space exploration after it won the race to the moon. That's why the space program has stagnated to what we have now. The only exploration we will see from the United States will be done by robot probes. There is no public or political support for manned exploration.
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I would love to see a man set foot on Mars in my lifetime but I know it's not going to happen. It is too expensive and the political will is just not there.
I am hoping that the Chinese will put men on the moon within the next 10 years, as they have predicted, and maybe that will increase the interest of the American people enough to pressure the government into returning to the moon or even going on to Mars.
It is my dream that man will again set foot upon the moon soon but I'm afraid that politicians will always stand in the way of dreams...
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Name
Submitted July 19, 2002, 3:48 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was 19 years of age and watched the whole moonwalk on black and white TV. I was on leave from the Navy at the time and sat with the family around the TV watching everything. It was just a fantastic experience - I think I really felt I was up there with Neil Armstrong.
It was a different day as I was in southern Tasmania at the time in a differnt time zone, but everyone knew this was something very BIG, we were watching history in the making.
It was basically, wow!
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
To maintain US technological supremacy over the Soviet Union and fullfill JFK's call to put a man on the moon made earlier in the decade.
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It is the evolutionary destiny of humankind to reach the stars. 1969 was a bold step forward in that destiny.
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Name
Submitted July 18, 2002, 11:20 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
A sense of overwhelming national pride.
Our black and white TV wasn't very clear but it was an amazing sight.
I also remember being frustrated as Walter Cronkite was talking at the same time that Neil Armstrong was making his "giant leap for mankind".
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
Sadly, we now understand the political nature of the cold war with Russia. We went there because we needed to beat the Russians at something. They were the first to orbit the Earth (I can still remember seeing Sputnic.), the first to put an animal in orbit, the first to put a man is space, the first to do an extra vehicular walk in space and they were able to land on solid ground when they got back to Earth.
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It is kind of a shame that we beat Russia to the moon. Because of our nature to be the best, we wouldn't have quit till we could be better at something. Politicians would not have pulled the purse strings on NASA. I truely believe that we would now have people on Mars if we had lost the race to the moon.
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Name
Submitted July 18, 2002, 9:33 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
THIS IS FOR CHRISSIE BRODIGAN
I AM 61YRS OLD, MY MEMORIES OF THE MOONWALK MIGHT SUPPRISE YOU. I WAS AT A NIGHT CLUB IN MY MINI SKIRT TRYING TO GET THE ATTENTION OF MY FUTURE HUSBAND. WE NOTICED A CROWD AROUND THE BAR SO WE WENT TO SEE WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT. THE TV HAD THE MOONWALK ON, EVERYONE WAS SILIENT MY FUTURE HUSBAND SAID THIS IS A MOMENT IN TIME IN OUR TIME. THEN HE PUT HIS ARM AROUND ME AND TOLD ME HE LOVED ME FOR THE FIRST TIME. FROM THEN ON HE ALWAYS BLAMED OUR MARRIAGE ON THE MAN ON THE MOON.
JOYCE
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
TO KEEP UP WITH RUSSIA AND SEND ALL OUR MONEY TO THE MOON INSTEAD OF HELPING PEOPLE ON EARTH.
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I AM PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF THE USA. I LOVE OUR FLAG AND ALL IT STANDS FOR.
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Name
Submitted July 18, 2002, 8:43 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was 3 or 4. I remember my parents being very very excited. We all sat on the couch. I remember the television being very high up. My most vivid memory is looking up and seeing a man in a white suit bouncing bouncing bouncing around. I wanted to be there, too.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
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I believe this is the thing that makes us different from the other animals: among all other creatures on earth (as far as we know), only man has actually left his planet to explore another.
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Name
Submitted July 18, 2002, 8:16 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was working in a Boy Scout summer camp in New York state. There was one TV in camp and that was at the headwuarters trading post. My friend and I watched the pictures from the moon sitting at a picnic table on the trading post porch.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
It was a challenge to beat the Russians.
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As a 19 year old college kid, I don't think I fully appreciated what I was seeing.
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Name
Submitted July 18, 2002, 5:00 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
My most vivid memory of the moonwalk was watching my parents reactions. I was shocked. We were a middle class Afro-American family and the confusion over how such a great country could put a man on the moon and still practice racism was evident. There was no anger just disdain and fear for the astronauts. The bggest fear was verbalized mainly as a diruption of the heaves. To quote "They are going to make something fall or the Russians will retaliate". The conversation became ligher with discussions of Sputnik. We were finaly sitting around as a family and discussing it as a scientific reak throug which led me to become interestested in Sci-Fi gyroscopes and computers in particular.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
First of all because they could they put a man on the moon, what better reason. Science needed to reach beyond its perimeters to grow and President John F. Kennedy and others knew this so well. This country has always been a reckonig force but it has always started with the best intents for its fellow man. Space and the universe may have some of those answers.
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Our intersts in the Universe have done more to bring nations together than most people realize. It did not begin with one person it began with all of us. Each step should be recorded for all mankind please keep up the good work.
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Name
Submitted July 18, 2002, 12:34 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
Watching the event on TV in the living room w/ my folks & other relatives the summer before I went into the hospital for back surgery.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
To Beat The Russians & maybe put a base on the moon before the Russians did.
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Name
Submitted July 18, 2002, 7:29 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was living in Tel-Aviv with my husband and three young sons. We didn't have a TV set, and we couldn't have seen it live from there anyhow. In fact, it never occurred to me that it was being broadcast live on TV. It wouldn't have seemed possible to do such a thing.
As the program began, I woke up my two older boys and brought them into the living room and we sat around the big radio because we could get shortwave broadcast on that set. The boys were 11 and 13 years old, and although they were sleepy and dazed at the time, this has become one of their most vivid memories. This was mostly because Mother woke them up for something she thought was special and amazing, but they couldn't comprehend why.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
The main reason was to compete with the Soviet Union. It was like a contest. A matter of national pride. We couldn't let the "Commies" beat us. A poor second reason was to satisfy the human need for exploration and adventure.
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Name
Submitted July 18, 2002, 5:49 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I didn't have a TV so went to a friends house to watch it. We were in Colchester in the UK.
I was expecting my 2nd Child and was so excited I thought Labour would start. We heard a sound outback but didn't investigate. Turned out to be someone stealing my friends washing. By the time we went to look it was all over.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
I have no idea but I thought it was a wonderfull thing to be able to do. NO WAY would you get me up there.
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It does seem a shame to have spent all that money and not taken it any further. I expected that by now there would have been people living on the moon. Oh well.
Perhaps we could one day send all the Terrorists up there out of the way and make our world a safer place.
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Name
Submitted July 18, 2002, 4:57 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was born in februari 1964 and 5 years old at the time of the first manned lunar landing. My parents wanted to see the live television-broadcast (at 4 o'clock in the morning Belgian time). Believe it or not but they took the mattress from their bed and placed it in front of the television-set downstairs! They insisted that I was with them to watch the screen. And thus it happened... I can't remember very much of that TV-broadcast, but I do remember the arrival of the Apollo 13 crew on the recovery ship Iwo Jima! (and I remember vividly the song "This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius"!!!). At that time, my mom spend whole afternoons watching the lunar excursions performed by Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell of Apollo 14 and David Scott + James Irwin of Apollo 15! So I could say that my Apollo-virus is really brought over by my parents!
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
We can't stay forever on the Earth! As David Scott of Apollo 15 once said at the Hadley-plain: "Man must explore!".
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I am an Apollo-freak and amateur-astronomer (I operate the telescope at the public observatory in Gent-Belgium). My advice is: let people look at the moon through a good telescope, and you will hear: "Gee! That's beautiful! I never thought it would be that big! Look at all those craters!". So, to spark their interest in the Manned and Unmanned Lunar Programs, let them take a close look at the moon!
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Name
Submitted July 17, 2002, 11:56 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was 34 in 1969, expecting my 4th child, and hoping it might be a girl. He was my 4th boy, and we decided to keep him anyway. I remember thinking I was too old to have a baby----Just one way that times have changed. My husband, 3 sons and I were at the White River Valley Campground in Gaysville, Vt.--- the little town on the White River where I grew up until I was 7. My dad, mom, uncle, and aunt owned the campground, and we had set up out tent in one of the sites. My folks lived in the main cabin where the office was located. We would gather around the TV in the evening for popcorn and drinks, and of course were all on hand to view the moonwalk. I doubt if the TV reception was that great, but it didn't really matter. It was a momentous occasion, and we were glued to the set, realizing this was a historical event that would undoubtedly change our lives and all those who would come after us. The moon was suddenly a tangible object that man had reached out and touched----not just the ever changing mysterious light in the night sky. In a way, it was the end of a fantasy, but the beginning of possibilities only imagined in science fiction. Now I laughingly tell son no. 4 that two fantastic events occurred for me in 1969----his birth, and man walking on the moon!
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
I guess I never thought a lot about this. My focus was on my family. However, since I did not have my head in the sand , I believe it was a dream of those who had the skills and knowledge to achieve it and were in a position to make it happen. I think part of the reason was the competition with the Russians in a time of extreme tension between our country and theirs. I think part was the desire of the man in charge at the time--President Kennedy. But being the romantic that I am, I have to believe it was something destined to happen because man's curiosity and determination to explore new horizons is ever with us, and will not be deterred.
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Name
Submitted July 17, 2002, 11:41 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
My memories are fuzzy. I was only five, but I remember my parents letting me stay up late to see the Armstrong climb down the ladder. My more vivid memories are from later missions when they would roll the TV into the classroom to watch the launches and moon walks.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
The people of this country were caught up in a collective vision. A challenge was laid out, and the American People rose up to it. And just like climbing a mountain, "because it's there".
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Name
Submitted July 17, 2002, 9:59 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I was 10 years & 3 months old in July 1969, I really fought to stay awake, when Neil came down the LEM Ladder, I remember seeing the image upside down for a brief moment, then it was corrected. I had three tv's on at the time, one large color & two smaller black & white tv's, I knew that it would be the same feed on the three networks, but watched as all three networks used their own animation to show various aspects of the flight. We watched CBS with Walter Cronkite & Wally Schirra, and I kept looking out at the moon which was to the west, and just could not stop looking & listening to the tv, and then looking at the moon. I remember some years back - maybe 1966, being impressed with a LIVE feed from San Francisco & New York split screen at the same time, but to look at Neil & Buzz on Television, and look at the moon at the same time really impressed me with technology, the images are frozen in my mind and the feelings as well. I watched the entire moonwalk, had all kinds of newspaper, and NASA pamphlets with me, and watched with awe, and followed the NASA timeline that evening. During school in those days, and those now frozen years to follow, I studied math, science, socal studies, history, but I also studied Spaceflight, and I can some 33 years later remember all of the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Apolo-Soyuz crewmwmbers, the nicknames on their spacecraft, the launch days, I even got to see some launches in person from Kennedy Space Center. Wow what a time we ALL had, remember Genesis from Apollo VIII at Christmas time no less, remember Jim Lovell on that flight saying "Houston, please be informed there is a Santa Claus" after leaving lunar orbit to return to earth, or Jim Lovell a few years later, the world praying for the crew of Apollo XIII - note the world, not just the United States, or Alan Shepard's return to flight and the Golf Shot on Apollo XIV, or David Scott proving Galileo on Apollo XV with the Falcon Feather & The Hammer, or John Young hot-rodding on the Lunar Rover on Apollo XVI, Gene Cernan & Harrison Schmitt on Apollo XVII "strolling on the moon one day", The crossing of my fingers (and biting my nails) for the lunar lift-off's, and the extended flights on Skylab, and the research. I understand they are still researching the data from Skylab (Conrad, Kerwin, Weitz, Bean, Garriott, Lousma, Carr, Pogue & Gibson), and finally to see Deke Slayton get his shot after being grounded since Mercury, what a way to finish out. What is selfishly amazing to this day, is me seeing the launches, then years later taking my daughter for her first launch (John Glenn's return to flight on STS-95) the same way my father had taken me to my first flight some 35+ years ago - yes history should repeat itself.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
To complete the goal of our nation, which was challenged by President John F. Kennedy shortly after Alan Shepard's sub-orbital Freedom 7 flight in May of 1961.
We really got our act together technically, due to dedicated civil servants, and aviation companies throughout this nation. To reach the goal in about 8 years at a high dollar cost, and even more impressive was the dedication of mankind, their resources & hours worked for this cause.
The cost of three astronauts lives and their surviving families was even higher, I pay my respect to Gus Grissom, Edward White & Roger Chaffee for their service to this nation, and the astronauts who perished before them on training excercises, Astronauts See, Bassett, Williams & Freeman. For all of what we learned in Mercury & Gemini, we seemed to forget something, and through these Hero's, we regained ourselves and did make it to orbit with Project Apollo, then the moon, then the walks, and return safely to the earth. Too bad President Kennedy who would have been citizen Kennedy in 1969 did not live to see this happen, but I think he had the "skybox" on the Fifty Yard Line in Heaven, and perhaps helped a little while the Astronaut's were in Earth & Lunar Orbit. Oh I guess JFK had Gus, Ed, Roger, Elliot, Charles, CC, & Ted over for the missions as well in that great Skybox.
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Great spin-off's on Earth due to the manned & unmanned space programs, the spin-off's are being used in my reply such as the internet, and computers, the medical industry has had major successes due to spaceflight, and maybe if the right person can re-unite America, we could do it again, The Astronauts call it "The Spirit of Apollo". With nearly 140 manned flights, mostly successes, let us not forget the astronauts who died on the job, and let us not forget the pioneers who captured the world with their rocket jockey thrill rides, after all they have and always will have captured me, lets bring back The Spirit of Mercury, The Spirit of Gemini, The Spirit of Apollo, The Spirit of Skylab, The Spirit of Apollo-Soyuz & The Spirit of STS.
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Name
Submitted July 17, 2002, 8:35 PM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
It was 5 am. All the Americans in this shabby hotel in Athens, Greece (except my mother) had assembled in the lobby to watch the one television in the building. I was 11 and I think my whole family would have stayed in bed if I hadn't insisted that I wanted to watch the event.
I was half-asleep. The TV was crummy. The reception was crummy. I could not make out the picture. I heard Armstrong's famous words and remembered thinking for quite awhile that they did not make sense. I don't remember any cheering from the crowd. I had to ask my father if Armstrong was on the moon yet.
Televisions were in short supply in Greece. Earlier that evening we had listened to the landing of Eagle in the bar of the Congo Palace Hotel. My first time in a bar. Four days before, we had sat on the floor of the Voice of America Building in downtown Athens, watching the Apollo 11 litftoff.
We normally lived outside Washington, DC. The baseball all-star game was in DC that year while we were in Greece. Missed it. I had wanted to go to Florida to watch the liftoff, but it was decreed we were going to Greece. So I missed the liftoff, too. (But got to see Apollo 15.)
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
Only because Kennedy committed us to do it. Whatever his reasons were, the moonlanding was the product of this one man's decision.
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The Christmas-eve pictures from Apollo 8 were far more dramatic, novel, other-wordly, and awe-inspiring.
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Name
Submitted July 17, 2002, 9:59 AM
Describe your most vivid memories of the moon walk:
I remember working on a Revell plastic model of the capsule and LEM. I sent most of the weekends before/during the mission listening to Walter Cronkite explain how the mission was to proceed. When they landed on the moon, I was in our basement with my whole family and two friends of the family. Everyone was excited, and everyone in the town (East Meadow, Long Island, New York) was excited the next day.
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Why did the United States put a man on the moon?
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I was a true space age baby, because I was born in 1958, the year |
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