Moonshots on your computer

W. Sitze, Las Cruces, NM — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:15:38 GMT

Such memories! None of the science fiction stories before Apollo 11 foresaw the video transmissions back to Earth in real time (well, real time less a couple of seconds, more or less). I've still got my green lapel button, an icon of the indicator showing Lunar contact on the control panel of the LEM, that Grumman passed out immediately after landing.

I've not seen any mention of a very scary situation with the Eagle. A heat exchanger in the fuel system that was supposed to transfer heat between the helium pressurant tank and the fuel tanks froze, causing the pressure to reach dangerous levels. There was a real fear that the heat exchanger would rupture with a catastrophic mixture of the hypergolic fuels. We spent an around the clock session to determine both the extent of the danger, and a way to defuse the situation. Fortunately, the problem dissipated without intervention, and we all went home and went to bed.

Moonshots on your computer

Chaplain (Col) Duane Westfield-Ret, Salem, MA — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:27:35 GMT

Navy Chaplain John "Bud" Piirto, a classmate of mine from Seminary, was the individual who deivered the Prayer aboard the Hornet at the landing of the astronauts. In his remarks, he asked that the same innovation and enthusiasm which characterized the Operation might be directed toward a search for world peace.

I wonder where he might be and how I might reach him. Last I heard of him was that he was seen fishing in Idaho.

Moonshots on your computer

Tim Rommes, Washington, UT — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:43:17 GMT

Hey, Alan! When is "The Case for Pluto" coming out. Is there a place where we can preorder?

[ALAN ADDS: Thanks for asking, Tim! "The Case for Pluto" is due to come out in November (the official publication date is Oct. 26 ... that's when it's due to show up at the store). You can pre-order from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or Borders ... I've included links to those bookstore sites below, and if you have a different favorite online bookstore, let me know and I'll pass along a quick link for your store as well. Stay tuned for the Facebook fan page and the dedicated Web site.]

http://bit.ly/ab-on-amazon

http://bit.ly/ab-on-bn

http://bit.ly/ab-on-borders

Moonshots on your computer

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Moonshots on your computer

David A, Hopewell, NJ — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:23:18 GMT

All the videos in the BBC Archive say they are "Not Available in Your Area". Why New Jersey????

Moonshots on your computer

Eric, Salinas, CA — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:50:12 GMT

Thanks Alan for this article that brings back some good memories of the 60's. Hard to belive it's been 40 years since Apollo 11's moon landing. I remember back then that the onboard computers were really high tech but now look laughable considering today's home computers. There have been some great shows on the space race and I always enjoy taking a trip back in time watching them. I look forward to seeing our next moon landings and it's a shame that it's taken so long.

Moonshots on your computer

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:25:13 GMT

I can't wait for us to go back to the moon. If we can have people live there in a closed environment, then we can figure out ways to clean up the messes we make here. I would like to travel to the moon, but I doubt that I will live long enough to see a permamant base there (or cities like New Berlin noted in Star Trek: First Contact).

Moonshots on your computer

Joe, Kalamazoo, MI — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:35:03 GMT

I see the playbacks of the grainy, distorted, staticky, black and white television signal of the first steps on the moon, and I think wouldn't that look cool in 1080p!!!

Moonshots on your computer

absolutelynot — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:43:40 GMT

As Neil DeGrasse Tyson says - Pluto had it coming. It's not a planet, never has been and never will be. There are moons that are bigger than Pluto. I, for one, won't be buying your book and you just lost all credibility with me. Goodbye.

Moonshots on your computer

Alan Boyle — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:05:12 GMT

Hm, there are moons that are bigger than Mercury, too (Ganymede and Titan). As I note in the book, if they came after Pluto ... they'll be coming after Mercury next!

One thing I very much like about Neil is that he isn't deadly serious about the planet war. His standard lines about "Pluto had it coming" and "Pluto is much happier where it is" are jokes ... Pluto is what it is, regardless of whether we call it a planet or a puppy, and I don't think planets have feelings (unlike puppies).

I'm always happy to talk about this debate, Absolutelynot. I'm sorry you'll miss out on what I hope is a credible debate in the book, but I'm happy to see that the issue still apparently touches some deep emotions.

Moonshots on your computer

Thomas Ashby — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:26:31 GMT

I wonder what the inside of the LEM would look like in present day considering all the advances in electronics and computing if it was re-fitted. You'd think that the astronauts would have a lot more space.

Aside form the first landing video...the later ones that show the lander blasting off was real neat at the time. I also was intrigued with the demonstration of Newton's laws concerning 2 very unequal masses (feather and hammer) falling equally in a vacuum and gravity field. I believe Galileo was the first to indicate this effect using two unequal mass lead balls being dropped from the tower of Pisa.

Moonshots on your computer

Mark, Richmond, VA — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:00:22 GMT

I've visited the wechoosethemoon.org site and IT IS COOL. I can't wait for it to blast off on Thursday.

Moonshots on your computer

ADA (LANE) PUCKETT COCOA,FL. 32922 — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:08:14 GMT

IT SEEMS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY THAT EVERYONE WAS SO EXCITED ABOUT THE MOON LANDING. I had just started my new job with KSC. A group of our fellow workers had gathered at this place on the beach called the
APOLLO LOUNGE The crowd was a very exciting one to say the least. Then all eyes were watching the TV'S AROUND THE ROOM, IT WAS SO VERY QUEIT , THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN
EVERYONE IN THE PLACE WERE HUGGING, LAUGHING AND ALSO SOME HAD TEARS POURING DOWN THEIR FACES.
What a wonderful time that was for the space workers, and everyone who had stopped by to help share that feeling.
At that moment i knew my dream had been fullfiled.
It was a wonderful time for us all.
I will always be thankful i was a part of that history.

Moonshots on your computer

jerry farmer littleton co — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 06:27:59 GMT

swing that hubble telescope to traquility base and zoom in and prove the point that we were there, as in lunar landing and usa flag still standing

Moonshots on your computer

Susan Blake Sydney NSW Australia. — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:58:12 GMT

I watched the landing on the moon from Martin Place Sydney,with my Mum & Dad and 6 brothers and sisters,it was a wonderfull feeling the excitment as a kid it made you feel so proud,its just not fixion its happening,today yes I'm glad I was their and being part of History.

Moonshots on your computer

Bayram Turları — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:53:47 GMT

A very good month, I first set foot Hanks tom elephant was quite similar to this movie amstronga the neil was the best choice