Thursday marks the 40th Anniversary of the launch of Apollo 11, the spacecraft that first took man to the moon, an event that many people feel is the greatest accomplishment in human history. To commemorate this historic event, a new website has been launched at WeChooseTheMoon.com which will recreate the entire mission from start to finish.
If you visit the site right now, and as I write this we’re still more than 43 hours from “launch”, you can see a virtual representation of the Saturn V rocket that would propel Apollo 11 out of the Earth’s atmosphere. You’ll also be able to hear ground control running through pre-flight checks as they prepare for the mission, which is still two days away. All of the audio feeds are authentic, and once the mission is underway, there will be video as well, as we follow the three astronauts, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins on their voyage, which will culminate next week on July 24th when they return to Earth with a splashdown. Of course, before that happens we’ll get to relive the most significant piece of history when on July 20th, Armstrong and Aldrin pilot the lunar lander to the surface of the moon, and become the first humans to step foot on another world.
From what I understand, the details of the mission have been rebuilt to exacting specifications for this website, so we’ll all be able to follow along in realtime. The site also allows you to view the liftoff from a variety of angles, and feeds us information about the speed and distance traveled. Other feeds provide trivia about the day, such as what the best selling books were at the time, and the songs that topped the charts as well.
Of course, once liftoff occurs, that’s when the fun really begins. I’m told that there is nearly constant chatter between the astronauts and mission control, which should make for a very interesting way to relive this slice of history. I wasn’t around when the moon landing happened, I was actually born a month later, but I have always been a fan of the space program, and have been fascinated with the idea of traveling to other planets. For the next week or so, this is going to be something that I’ll be watching very closely. In my mind, it is indeed the greatest human adventure of all time, but if you can think of one better, I’d be happy to re-evaluate.
- Gear Review: The Xero Scrambler Mid is an Ultralight Hiking Shoe for Spring - March 1, 2023
- Gear Review: Yeti Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler - August 18, 2022
- Kristin Harila Continues Pursuit of 8000-Meter Speed Record - August 16, 2022
Cant believe it was 40 years ago! Time flys.
Mount Everest | British Story
http://www.everest1953.co.uk
We feel great in the human history
I don't get it: we have the technology to reach out and touch the moon and challenge eternity while we still are not able to improve agricultural techniques, to reduce illness, poverty etc. I am not trying to sound politically correct, I am just asking myself and wonder when I will stop to be hunger for adventure and rather be more adventurous and more creative in how to help and free people from hunger and poverty. Anyways, a really great post K.. It gave me something to think about. And yes of course, I must agree: this is a great, but not the greatest adventure yet. 🙂
We do, obviously, have plenty of problems to solve here on Earth gorida, and I don't think anyone would disagree with that. But the number of major advances that the space program has creaed that have improved life all over the planet is pretty staggering. There have been lots of breakthroughs that have been a result of the research and development of NASA and other space agencies.
I will agree with you though, there are plenty of great adventures to come. 🙂