Spaceport News Vol.8, No.15 Jul.23, 1969
SPACEPOR~:l' ~#T"'//~• . -",dd. • .,
Vol. 8, No. 15 Kennedy S~- NEWS LIFTOFF pace Center, FIO~rida~-- U. S. LandROMMKSC FLAWLESS -----:Y:Ju"':"""'"""ly23-,1969 S en Moon
RICHARD M NEIL Al1~STRONG President, UNSIXON..A. Apollo ommande'r
DR.NASATHOMASAd .~. PAINE MICHAELM~OLLINS InInIstrator Command ule Pilot
. . DR. KURT H ' EDWIN A Director,C·KSDEBUS APOLLO 11 LIFTS OFF FOR MOON Lunar ModuL1DRIN e Pilot Pa~e 2 SPACEPORT NEWS July 23, 1969 KSC Launch Sends' Apollo 11 to Moon
ACE CONTROL ROOM, MSO BUILDING
"Twenty seconds and count termine what implications the hard work was. Thank you." tor for Manned Space Flight, ing. T-15 seconds, guidance Apollo 11 mission will have said, "I must say that this is is internal, 12, 11, 10, 9, ig for the future. Generations PAINE PROUD the most professional count nition sequence starts, 6, 5, to come will better be able to NASA Administrator Thom down, the most professional 4, 3, 2, 1, zero, all engines evaluate what is meant by as O. Paine said, "I know operation, most professional running, commit, LIFTOFF. opening the door t
TEST SUPERVISOR Bill Schick, third from right, co ordinated the final countdown for the Apollo 11 moon KSC DIRECTOn Dr. Kurt H. Debus, center; Rocco A. landing mission. Others who played key roles in launch Petrone, Director o( Launch Operations, right; and Wal operations included Robert Moser, sixth from right, Chief ter J. Kapyran, Deputy Director of Launch Operations, of Test Planning Office; Paul Donnelly (on phone), left, keep a close eye on the progress of the countdown Launch Operations Manager; Karl Striby, Schick, Ronald of Apollo 11. Bentti and Norm Carlson, Launch Vehicle Test Conductor. July 23, 1969 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3
~' "l.~'- I&__....l-lI£...._ ,ENJOYING AN evening meal p,rior to the Apollo 11 liftoff the next morning are, from left across the table, WAVING GOOD-UY to KSC employees is Apollo 11 Lunar Module Pilot Edwin Aldrin and Commander Neil Commander Neil Armstrong, followed by Command Mod Armstrong and, second from right, Command Module ule Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin Pilot Michael Collins. Others seated around the table, Aldrin, as they depart the MSO Building to board the from left, are Fred Haise, Donald K. Slayton, James space vehicle. Lovell, Thomas Mattingly, Ron Evans and William Anders. mination of nine years work described the launch as "mar and I think that the techni velous. You just have a feel ques that have been developed ing that you've seen one of KSC by NASA through the use of the greatest events of human • • • the university complex, Amer history. The idea that those efforts, the perseverance and whole world is proud of it. ican industry, American la men are going on a trip to the dedication of all of you "The moon is wonderful but bor have been put together another planet where they ex people over these many years the moon itself isn't too im to make this thing what it is. pect to put their feet and that have made this possible." portant. The fact that we can "It's a great combination come back home and that this get there and get back is great country is making it PHILLIPS' THANKS and, of course, I look forward what's important. I think to the time when we can greet possible. Apollo Program Manager we'll go right ahead with our these people back here when "I felt a thrill inside me to Sam Phillips told the team space program." they will perform one of the think that I live in a country that "getting them off in this greatest feats in the world, that could do that. It was a style is the finest thing we SOLONS SPEAK putting a foot on another great thrill. And we all pray could do to insure the success Rep. George Miller, D planetary body." ed in our hearts for those of this mission. Calif., Chairman of the House great men." LAUNCH MARVELOUS "I want to thank you all Committee on Science and As Actor Hugh O'Brien said very much for the tremendous tronautics, said, "It's the cul- Rep. Claude Pepper, D-Fla., "It's one of the most fan job. The future of the space tastic sights I've ever seen. program is directly linked in A great tribute, not just to to the kind of performance Vice President Speaks the technicians and the astro that we could show the Amer U.S. Vice President Spiro T. Agnew said it was his first nauts, of course, they're fan ican people. tastic, but all the little guy's "I'm absolutely certain that time to view a launch from outside the firing room and "it's a different ball game out there. efforts that went into putting as we continue to demonstrate this whole thing together. this kind of performance we "You get a little bit more of the sense of the power of can certainly get an extremely those rockets, but all the time I was out there I couldn't help "All the people who work powerful forward looking thinking of you, the people in here and all over NASA who here at this complex. The space program for the next have done such a brilliant job in putting together the com thousands and thousands of decade and the decade after bined effort behind these three gentlemen who are off on this man hours that went into this that. historic mission. effort. A beautiful, beautiful sight." "Thank you very, very "I had a chance to do a little television. I want to tell much for all your support and you I hit the bullet for you today as far as Mars is concerned. Television personality Jack help." Benny said, "My reaction is "But on the other hand, in case any of us become too exactly the 'same as every Dr. Wernher von Braun, enthusiastic, I want to let you know that I may be a voice Director of the Marshall body else's. It's probably the in the wilderness. However, I feel very strongly that in spite most exciting moment that I Space Flight Center, said, "I of the fact .that excellent arguments can be made against would like to thank all of you can think of in my lifetime our technological ability to articulate such a mission at this and I've lived a long time. for a magnificent job. We time - in spite of all of the progress that has come about in knew we had good hardware, "I can't think of anything these programs over a period of time, leads me to a sense more exciting than to see but you also know there's a of intense confidence that this is going to happen, and it's lot of room for mistakes and three fellows taking off to go not going to happen whether somebody says it or not, and it's to the moon. I can't think of this is the sixth one in a row. going to happen before the end of this century. All I can say is thank you." anything that would be more "This is the future of our country, and if the gains that exciting, unless I was up in T,EAGUE VIEWS come from this program are going to be the greatest - going it." Rep. Olin Teague, D-Tex., to constitute the greatest fallout for the advancement of all As the three astronauts re Chairman of the House sub our citizens that anything we could do would - could bring turn from the moon, the committee on Manned Space about. world stands awed - and is Flight, said, "It's wonderful. "So all I can say to you is we'll be there pitching for you. grateful - for the overall I think it's something we can And you stick with us, we'll stick with you, and together NASA-Contractor effort that all be proud of. I think the we'll do this job. Thank you very much." will lead to the future. Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS July 23, 1969 Armstrong, Aldrin on Moon The moon landing and brief Mission Control: Roger. forward. 4 forward, drifting Eagle: We'll get to the de surface exploration performed 1,202. We cOP'Y it. to the right a little. 6 (gar tails of what's around here, so flawlessly by Commander Eagle: 35 degrees. 35 de bled) down a half. but it looks like a collection Neil Armstrong and Lunar grees. 750, coming down at Mission Control: 30 sec of just about every variety Module Pilot Edwin Aldrin 23. 700 feet, 21 down. 33 de onds. of shapes, angularities, gran - and ably assisted by Com grees. 600 feet, down at 19. Eagle: (garbled) Contact ularities, every variety of mand Module Pilot Michael 540 feet, down at 30 - down light. Okay, engine stop. ACA rock you could find. The co Collins in moon orbit - is at 15. 400 feet, down at 9. out of detent. Modes control lors vary pretty much de probably the most historit: (garbled) 8 forward. 350, both auto, descent engine pending on how you're look event that will occur in the down at 4. 330, 3 1/2 down. command override, off. En ing relative to the 0 phase lifetimes of those now living. We're pegged on horizontal gine arm, off. 413 is in. point. There doesn't appear to To help those at the Ken velocity. 300 feet, down 3 1/2. Mission Control: We copy be too much of a general color nedy Space Center who had 47 forward. (garbled) Down you down, Eagle. at all, however it looks as such a vital role in the mis 1 a minute. 11/2 down. 70. Eagle: (Armstrong) Hous though some of the rocks and sion remember these historic Got the shadow out there. 50, ton, Tranquility Base here. boulders, of which there are moments, the Spaceport News down at 2 1/2. 19 forward. The Eagle has landed. quite a few in the near area, is printing excerpts of the Altitude-velocity lights. 3 1/2 Mission Control: Roger, are going to have some in commentary that we feel best down, 220 feet. 13 forward. Tranquility, we copy you on teresting colors to them, over. communicate the excitement 11 forward, coming down the ground. You've got a and importance of the mis nicely. 200 feet, 4 1/2 down. bunch of guys about to turn * ** .sion: 5 1/2 down. 160, 6 1/2 down, blue. We're breathing again. MAN STEPS ON MOON Eagle: We're go. Hang 5 1/2 down, 9 forward. 5 per Thanks a lot. Armstrong: I'm at the foot tight. We're go. 2,000 feet. cent. quantity light. 75 feet, Tranquility: Thank you. of the ladder. The LM foot 2,000 feet into the AGS. 47 things looking good. Down a Mission Control : You're pads are only depressed in the deg-rees. half. 6 forward. looking good here. surface about one or two Mission Control: Roger. Mission Control: 60 sec inches. Although the surface Eagle: 47 degrees. onds. * * * appears to be very, very fine Mission Control: Eagle Eagle: Lights on. Down LANDING SITE grained, as you get close to looking great. You're go. 2 1/2. Forward. Forward. Eagle: Houston, that may it. It's almost like a powder. Public Affairs: Altitude Good. 40 feet, down 2 1/2. have seemed like a very long Now and then, it's very fine. 1,600 feet. 1,400 feet. Still Picking up some dust. 30 feet, final phase. The auto target Armstrong: I'm going to looking very good. 2 1/2 down. Faint shadow. 4 ing was taking us right into step off the LM now. a football field, football field Armstrong: That's 0 n e sized crater, with a large small step for man. One giant Dr. Thomas Paine's Statement number of big boulders and leap for mankind. rocks for about one or two Armstrong: As the - the The following is a statement from Dr. Thomas O. Paine, crater diameters around us, surface is fine and powdery. ~ASA Administrator, following the first manned lunar land and it required a (garbled) I can -I can pick it up ing: on the 366 and flying man loosely with my toe. It does "Immediately after the lunar touchdown, I called the ually over the rock field to adhere in fine layers like pow White House from Mission Control and gave the following find a reasonably good area. dered charcoal to the sole and report to the President. Mission Control: Roger, we sides of my boots. I only go "'Mr. President, it is my honor on behalf of the entire copy. It was beautiful from in a small fraction of an inch. NASA team to report to you that the Eagle has landed on here, Tranquility, over. (See MOON, Page 5) the Sea of Tranquility and our astronauts are safe and look ing forward to starting the exploration of the moon.' "We then discussed the gripping excitement and wonder that had been present in the White House and at Mission Control during the final minutes of this historic touchdown. "I emphasized to the President, the fact that we still had many difficult steps ahead of us in the Apollo 11 mission, but that, at the same time, a giant step had been made with our successful landing. . "President Nixon asked me to convey to all of the NASA team and its associated industrial and university asso'ciates, his personal congratulation on the success of the initial lunar landing and gave his good wishes for the continuing success of this mission. I think that it would be not right for me to give to you my own personal feelings about this historic moment. "We have clearly entered a new era. I think it means a different thing to each one of us. The voices that we hear coming back from these brave men on the surface of the moon are still hard to believe, and yet it's true. "I think that this success is something that has raised the spirits around the world, and it has caused us to pause and ponder its meaning, which only history, in the final analysis, will reveal to us. "It's significant, I think, that two days ago, the Soviet Union, at our request, passed to us, valuable orbital para "meters for the Luna 15 mission in an unprecedented coop erative movement. And I think this bodes well for the future of mankind exploration of our sister planet." ASTRONAUT DESCENDS LEG OF EAGLE July 23, 1969 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5 President, Astronauts Talk President Richard M. Nixon and Astronauts Neil Arm strong and Edwin Aldrin had the following conversation while the two space pioneers were exploring the surface of the Moon: Mission Control: Neil and Buzz, the President of the United States is in his office now and would like to say a few words to you. Over. Armstrong: That would be an honor. Mission Control: Go ahead Mr. President, this is Hous ton. Out. President Nixon: Neil and Buzz, I am talking to you by telephone from the Oval Room at the White House. And this certainly has to be the most historic telephone call ever made. I just can't tell you how proud we all are of you ... for every American, this has to be the proudest day of our lives. A~d for pe.ople all over the world, I am sure they, too, join WIth AmerIcans, in recognizing what a feat this is. Because of what you have done, the heavens have become a part of man's world. And as you talk to us from the Sea of Tran quility, it inspires us to double our efforts to bring peace and h::anquility to earth. For one priceless moment, in the whole PRESIDENT TALKS TO MEN ON MOON hIstory of man, all the people on this earth are truly one. One in their pride in what you have done. And one in our gine, but very insignificant prayers, that you will return safely to earth. amount. Okay, Buzz, we're Armstrong: Thank you, Mr. President. It's a great honor Moon ••• ready to bring down the cam an~ privilege for us to be here representing not only the Maybe an eighth of an inch, era. Umted States but men of peace of all nations. And with but I can see the footprints *** interest and curiosity and a vision for the future. It's an of my boots and the treads ALDRIN EXITS EAGLE honor for us to be able to participate here today. in the fine sandy particles. Aldrin: Now, I want to President Nixon: And thank you very much and I look Armstrong: There seems to back up and partially close forward - all of us look forward to seeing you on the Hornet be no difficulty in moving the hatch. Making sure not to on Thursday. around as we suspected. It's lock it on my way out. Armstrong: Thank you. Aldrin: I look forward to that very much, sir. even perhaps easier than the A l' m s t l' 0 n g: A good simulations at 1/6th "g" that thought. we performed in the simula Aldrin: That's our home walking is also very com Armstrong: A little more. tions on the ground. It's ac- for the next couple of hours fortable. You've got three About another inch. There . tually no trouble to walk and I want to take good care more steps and then a long you got it. That's a good step. around. The descent engine of it. Okay, I'm on the top one. About a three footer. did not leave a crater of any step and I can look down over Aldrin: Okay, I'm going to Aldrin: Beautiful, beauti size. There's about one foot the RCU, landing gear pads. leave that one foot up there ful. clearance on the ground. That's a very simple matter and both hands down to about Armstrong: Isn't that some We're essentially on a very to hop down from one step the fourth rung up. thing. Magnificent s i g h t level place here. I can see to the next. Armstrong: There you go. down here. some evidence of rays eman Armstrong: Yes, I found it Aldrin: Okay. Now I think Aldrin: Magnificent defin ating from the descent en- to be very comfortable and I'll do the same. ition.
MOON MEN BUSY WITH EXPERIMENTS PIONEERS PREPARE TO LEAVE MOON Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS July 23, 1969
JOHN F. KENNEDY SPACE CE TER.
MEMBERS OF THE PRESS from over the world gath words will be written about the Apollo 11 mission than ered at KSC's Pl'ess Site at Launch Complex 39 to wit has been seen and written at the time about any single ness, describe and photograph the historic laulliCh of news event in history. Of the foreign countries with Apollo 11 on its moon-landing mission. Figures show that 3,497 press from the United States and 57 fore1ign coun newsmen here, Japan led the way with 118, England 82, tries were accredited for the launch. Of this total, 812 Italy 81, France 53, Mexico 51, Germany 44, Canada 38, journalists were from foreign countries. It has been Spain 27, Brazil 26 and Australia 25. Even tiny Luxem speculated that more press viewed the launch and more bourg sent three jounalists.
VICE PRESIDENT Spiro T. Agnew, right, and former President Lyndon B. Johnson, left, follow the Apollo 11 liftoff from a viewing stand located less than four miles NASA ADMINISTRATOR Thomas O. Paine, right, dis from Pad A at Launch Complex 39. They headed the cusses Apollo 11 activities with Vice President Agnew, list of thousands of dignitaries invited to attend the Astronaut William Anders and Lee James, Saturn V launch. Program Manager for MSFC. July 23, 1969 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7
KSC DEPUTY DIRECTOR, Center Management, Albert F. Siepert, right, and Apollo 10 Commander Thomas Stafford, left, discuss the Apollo 11 mission with Vice President Agnew, center. They were at the viewing stands prior to launch when the photograph was taken. This was the first launch that the Vice President had NASA OFFICIALS were all smiles following the launch viewed from outside of the Launch Control Center. of Apollo 11. From left to right in the Launch Control Center are Charles W. Mathews, Deputy Associate Ad ministrator for Manned Space Flight; Dr. Wernher von Braun, Director of MSFC; Dr. George E. Mueller, Asso ciate Administrator for Manned Space Flight; and Lt. Gen. Samuel C. Phillips, Director of the Apollo Program.
COMMANDER NEIL ARMSTRONG'S wife and two boys talk with newsmen about his participation in man's first lunar landing mission. Mrs. Janet Armstrong stands be VISITORS BY the thousands poured into the Spaceport side her sons Eric, left, and Mark. They viewed the area to view the historic launch of Apollo 11. Civil De launch from a boat in the Banana River with friends. fense estimated that more than one million were on hand Shortly afterward, Ml·S. Armstrong conducted a short shortly before liftoff. Many spent the night in tents, news conference at TICO airport and then returned home campers and automobiles and along beach and roads to Houston, Texas. , adjacent to KSC. Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS July 23, 1969 Key NASA Officials for' Apollo II
DR. GEORGE E. MILLER SAMUEL C. PHILLIPS GEORGE HAGE DR. VON 'BRAUN Associate Administrator Director Apollo Program Apollo Mission Director Director, MSFC
DR. GILRUTH DR. JOHN F. CLARK ROCCO A. PETRONE MILES ROSS Director, MSC Director, GSFC Launch Directo'r, KSC Deputy Director, KSC
ALBERT F. SIEPERT R. O. MIDDLETON RAY CLARK FRED.ERIC H. MILLER Deputy Director, KSC Apollo Program, KSC Technical Support, KSC Installation Support, KSC
G. MERRITT PRESTON CHRISTOPHER CRAFT GEORGE M. LOW DONALDK. SLAYTON Design Engineering, KSC Flight Operations, MSC Apollo Program, MSC Crew Training, MSC