Last night on CNN, I watched a film about Apollo 11 Landing on the Moon. Twenty-fours later, I am still in awe of that film and the actual fete of that mission. When it actually happened on July 20, 1969, I was like most people my age, busy with work and life while it was happening. I was aware of it from previous night’s news. And that evening, I saw the historic image on the TV news, with Walter Cronkite repeating Armstrong’s famous words. “One small step for man; one giant leap for mankind”.
I still get goosebumps hearing those words. However, it wasn’t until last night watching that entire film that I fully comprehended the fetes that were accomplished. Not just one launch and safe return. But a whole series of items that had to be accomplished successfully to succeed.
Step by Step Apollo 11 Landing on the Moon
Of course it began with the lift off into space with the successful separation of the rocket boosters. That had been done before, but each one could be problematic.
Once in orbit, then they had to navigate to the moon. And check that off the list. Then the two astronauts, Neil Armstrong and “Buzz” Aldrin had to navigate from the main capsule into the Lunar Lander. And then it had to separate successfully from the mother ship. The descent onto the surface of the moon became problematic too. They missed their proposed landing place, so had to find another good landing place. With the landing craft engines burning, it was kicking up the dust from the moon making visibility poor.
Subsequent reading today told me that item gave them some trouble. They overshot the intended landing space and had to find another in a rocky area. There was also some additional problems once they were down. They was some additional problem with depressurizing the module and opening the door. Little items lost in the overall immensity of the overall mission.
The Moon Walk
The moon walk itself was documented and has been shown over and over. But then think of the enormity of having to get back into that landing craft and get back up off of the moon. Get back into orbit and find the mother ship and re-docking. And then the two moon-walkers returning to the mother ship capsule.
It is amazing, the precision in that many steps flawlessly, or at least with only minor flaws. A blip in any would have jeopardize those men’s lives. Could we do it today? It has been repeated, but if we had to do it right back from scratch, could today’s society put together that much flawless equipment and devices? The most simple item today seems to be flawed.
Was it Real? Did we put a man on the moon?
Additionally, in reading more about this today, I learned that there is a certain percentage of our population that still does not believe it happened. People who say it was all a hoax. There is even a report that says “Buzz” Aldrin admitted that is was all fake – done on a Hollywood set. This was reported in a magazine that knowingly publishes fake items as part of their charter. But people read these fake stories and believe them.
Now we have a President who has a tendency to twist facts and people believe him. He makes up his own version of history and people believe it. We have three major news channels with one broadcasting different versions than the other two. Even with actual pictures of what is happening, people will believe the false report. Maybe because they haven’t seen the live version, but only heard what was broadcast on their chosen station.
Apollo 11 – Facts or Fiction?
This brings up the question of who do we believe and how do we know what is the truth? The technology of media today allows for augmenting, editing and doctoring even actual images. This presents a very scary situation. If you are a student of history, you can read accounts of when Adolph Hitler was just beginning his political career. He gained prominence and power by just by persuasive writings in various publications. People began to believe what he wrote, which lead to World War II.
Today we have the ability to verify facts using the Internet, but here too you have to recognize who is presenting the facts. You may find conflicting information. All we can do, is try to become aware of both sides and analyze all the facts that are available. Not a truly satisfying answer, but someplace to start. Question everything.
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