Not long before Apollo 11’s historic moon landing, flight controllers and stand-in astronauts conducted a simulation of its planned descent to the lunar surface – unknowing it would become one of history’s defining moments seen live around the globe on television.
America is commemorating the 50th anniversary of this legendary space mission with events across the country and here are a few ways you can get involved.
The Challenge of Exploration
U.S. space program is an integral part of American culture and history. Discover its amazing stories through these books that feature vivid photographs and engaging text.
Space exploration continues to inspire and inform us with new technologies such as 3D printing that could dramatically change lives back on Earth. Who knows what groundbreaking discoveries might await future missions to Mars or even just the Moon!
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to ever set foot on the Moon. Their historic feat captured global imagination; author Piers Bizony brings this momentous mission back to life through never-before-seen photos that bring this epic journey alive.
Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin spent 48 minutes alone on the lunar surface, yet were responsible for operating and fulfilling other tasks while out of contact with ground control. Herein, astronaut Collins shares his memories from this remarkable period in his book ‘My Days on the Lunar Surface’.
NASA celebrates Apollo’s legacy with events, guest speakers, and educational opportunities nationwide throughout 2018. Learn what NASA is doing now to move us into an era of inspiration, innovation, and discovery with their Year of Apollo: The Moon & Beyond campaign.
Visitors to this virtual experience can pretend they’re part of the crew during an interactive tour of the museum’s Mission Operations Control Room, Visitor Viewing Area and Simulation Control Room which have all been fully restored back to their 1969 appearance with vintage furniture.
Neil Armstrong’s iconic “giant leap for mankind” may be synonymous with the Apollo 11 mission, but there was much more involved. This book gives a comprehensive account of their entire flight from launch to landing and beyond, including its challenges and their accomplishments – essential reading for anyone interested in space exploration history or the American spirit of adventure!
The Moon Landing
President John F Kennedy issued a challenge to land Americans on the moon as an audacious gamble. At that time, Soviet Russia was leading in space exploration while the US desperately wanted technological superiority. NASA made this mission its top priority and spent immense sums developing an Apollo lunar landing vehicle capable of transporting humans across space and back again – its success now considered one of humanity’s major milestones.
Apollo 11 astronauts spent approximately two hours exploring the lunar surface, exploring its strange landscape and making the most of their historic experience. They brought back priceless specimens weighing 842 pounds that are helping scientists decipher our solar system’s history. But perhaps their most memorable souvenir was William Anders’ photo taken on Christmas Eve 1968 which showed our blue planet suspended against an austere backdrop of space with an irregular lunar horizon around it.
As Armstrong emerged from his Eagle module on July 20, 1969, he delivered this famous statement: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” This phrase resonated around the globe and brought a surge of pride for achieving something so long desired since exploration’s early days.
Many in mission control that day were slow to comprehend the significance of Apollo 11’s lunar landing, although CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite made his reaction clear in just eight words: “Men have landed on the moon.”
Visitors to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington can now imagine they were there during an historic event thanks to an engaging virtual experience called Be the Astronaut. The exhibit recreates the atmosphere of Apollo 11 command module, Lunar Rover and Lunar Rover so visitors can relive all the sights and sounds of that historic momentous occasion. Furthermore, an honor roll displays all twelve men who made history.
The Return of the Astronauts
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin’s remarkable arrival aboard the Eagle lunar lander on July 21, 1969 captured world imagination like no other space mission had. Now, this magnificent book provides a visually rich account of its remarkable adventure from launch through moon landing and back home again, featuring stunning imagery from on-board film magazines of Apollo 11. Space historian Piers Bizony brings Apollo 11 story alive through stunning images.
No matter where or how you witnessed the historic Apollo 11 landing, watching those first two men step off their spacecraft onto an unfamiliar world will remain an indelible part of your life forever. And while over 50 years have passed since that historical day, space exploration remains more vital now than ever.
NASA may have ended the space race with Apollo, but NASA continues its exploration of our universe with new endeavours like sending astronauts aboard SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station this week. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams had planned to return home earlier but their departure date was postponed after Boeing’s Starliner suffered multiple thruster malfunctions and helium leaks which delayed their trip home from orbit.
Once in space, a team of NASA experts gathered to determine whether it would be safe and viable to return the astronauts safely back home. A final review took place Saturday – clearing the way for Wilmore and Williams to return next month.
This weekend, Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory is commemorating 50 years since Neil Armstrong was born by hosting tours, lectures and activities designed specifically to commemorate this landmark birthday event. Kids can learn more about astronomy, space exploration and robotics through interactive hands-on activities at this celebration!
This weekend in Huntsville, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center will be holding a parade from its museum to Courthouse Square featuring a replica Lunar Rover along with music, dancing and other festivities. A full schedule of events can be found online.
The Future of Space Exploration
Space exploration remains, but its peak has passed. Though Armstrong’s words – “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” — have become iconic over time, most adults today have never actually witnessed an Apollo Moon landing firsthand; rather they learn about them from books or classroom lectures.
NASA still strives to send humans to the Moon and ultimately Mars. They are currently developing technologies such as Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft which will be used for scientific exploration beyond Earth orbit, as well as support technologies for astronauts living in lunar orbit and exploring lunar surface features.
Private companies will continue to play an essential role in space exploration by launching rockets, transporting cargo and developing infrastructure in low-Earth orbit. NASA remains the global leader for scientific discovery by creating opportunities to turn knowledge into products that improve life on Earth.
Human spaceflight depends on our ability to overcome some formidable hurdles. First and foremost, we must develop medications that allow for extended stays in space as the human body has yet to adapt fully to microgravity environments; long-term effects from space are still unknown and sustainable energy solutions for interplanetary travel must also be found.
Nuclear power would greatly shorten astronauts’ travel times to Mars and other planets, decreasing both boredom and exposure to radiation. Meanwhile, lasers on Earth could help accelerate small space probes at incredible speeds to reach distant planets more easily.
In this century, our solar system’s planets and moons will be mapped using flotillas of tiny robotic spacecraft that communicate like flocks of birds. Meanwhile, giant robotic fabricators will build structures using materials mined from asteroids, providing much better use of resources than shipping them back to Earth. Furthermore, successors of Hubble Telescope will enable ever-clearer views of stars and galaxies.