50 years ago...

Dowly · 04-11-11, 05:26 PM

.. a gentleman by the name of Yuri Gagarin strapped himself to a big arse rocket and flew to space!

Fish In The Water · 04-11-11, 05:38 PM

So the space age began 50 years ago today? Wow! A great moment in history, truly a landmark event...

I was just discussing the aftermath of the V2 rocket and its inclusion in the US space program in another thread. Very interesting to see "VON BRAUN's REACTION:" in the newspaper headline. Seems quite indicative of his status as a major player/spokesman for NASA.

Great share, thanks very much!

Platapus · 04-11-11, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish In The Water

So the space age began 50 years ago tomorrow? Wow! A great moment in history, truly a landmark event...

Well, I think the space age started on 4 Oct 1957 with the launch of Sputnik

Platapus · 04-11-11, 05:44 PM

I have a DvD documentary on Gagarin's life. It was pretty tragic. According to this documentary (I will have to dig it out to get the name) Yuri was the first international celebrity that was not a political figure. Unfortunately Yuri was unprepared and so was everyone else at the notoriety and he did not handle it well.

I *think* the documentary was entitled Red Star Rising but I may have that confused with another documentary on Soviet space programs.

But anyway, it seems that he was not a happy man after his flight.

Fish In The Water · 04-11-11, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

Well, I think the space age started on 4 Oct 1957 with the launch of Sputnik

I guess you're technically correct, but still the first man in space seems like the greater benchmark...

An awesome moment in history!

Platapus · 04-11-11, 05:48 PM

Space history is so cooleo we can have and enjoy multiple "first" celebrations.

frau kaleun · 04-11-11, 07:00 PM

On occasions like this, I always think of Tom Hanks' line in Apollo 13:

"It's not a miracle. We just decided to go."

Here's to all the "non-miracle" workers who just decided to go.

Takeda Shingen · 04-11-11, 05:40 PM

Wow. Completely missed that. Thanks Dowly!

04-11-11, 05:26 PM	#1
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,052 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	50 years ago... .. a gentleman by the name of Yuri Gagarin strapped himself to a big arse rocket and flew to space!

04-11-11, 05:44 PM	#4
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,361 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	I have a DvD documentary on Gagarin's life. It was pretty tragic. According to this documentary (I will have to dig it out to get the name) Yuri was the first international celebrity that was not a political figure. Unfortunately Yuri was unprepared and so was everyone else at the notoriety and he did not handle it well. I think the documentary was entitled Red Star Rising but I may have that confused with another documentary on Soviet space programs. But anyway, it seems that he was not a happy man after his flight. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

04-11-11, 05:48 PM	#6
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,361 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Space history is so cooleo we can have and enjoy multiple "first" celebrations. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

04-11-11, 05:38 PM	#2
Fish In The Water Prince of the Sea SUBSIM Welcome Committee Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Watching over U-253 Posts: 3,527 Downloads: 98 Uploads: 2	So the space age began 50 years ago today? Wow! A great moment in history, truly a landmark event... I was just discussing the aftermath of the V2 rocket and its inclusion in the US space program in another thread. Very interesting to see "VON BRAUN's REACTION:" in the newspaper headline. Seems quite indicative of his status as a major player/spokesman for NASA. Great share, thanks very much!

04-11-11, 07:00 PM	#7
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	On occasions like this, I always think of Tom Hanks' line in Apollo 13: "It's not a miracle. We just decided to go." Here's to all the "non-miracle" workers who just decided to go.

04-11-11, 05:40 PM	#8
Takeda Shingen Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 8,643 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	Wow. Completely missed that. Thanks Dowly!