Fifty years on...

Growler · 05-05-11, 10:24 AM

Despite budget setbacks, the losses of Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia, and withering public support, NASA continues to pursue manned space flight.

Fifty years ago today, 5 May, 1961, American Navy Pilot Alan Shepard strapped a Redstone rocket to his back and made his short jaunt some 115 miles or so into near-Earth orbit, going downrange some ~300 miles over the course of his ~15 minutes flight. In so doing, he opened the fledgling space agency's Manned Spaceflight program.

Bravo Zulu, Admiral Shepard; Rest in Peace, we remember.

FIREWALL · 05-05-11, 10:34 AM

Lionclaw · 05-05-11, 11:31 AM

August · 05-05-11, 11:47 AM

I think i'll watch "From the Earth to the Moon" tonight.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_th..._miniseries%29

Gerald · 05-05-11, 11:57 AM

Yes we remember,

Platapus · 05-05-11, 06:58 PM

Time for one of Platapus' almost interesting space trivia questions!

Who was the first person to go in to space twice?

Think carefully. (muhahaha)

Torplexed · 05-05-11, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

I think i'll watch "From the Earth to the Moon" tonight.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_th..._miniseries%29

I'm thinking more The Right Stuff myself.

Although it was believed that the movie would boost John Glenn's 1984 presidential bid, it made everybody want to vote for Chuck Yeager instead.

05-05-11, 10:24 AM	#1
Growler A long way from the sea Join Date: May 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,913 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	Fifty years on... Despite budget setbacks, the losses of Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia, and withering public support, NASA continues to pursue manned space flight. Fifty years ago today, 5 May, 1961, American Navy Pilot Alan Shepard strapped a Redstone rocket to his back and made his short jaunt some 115 miles or so into near-Earth orbit, going downrange some ~300 miles over the course of his ~15 minutes flight. In so doing, he opened the fledgling space agency's Manned Spaceflight program. Bravo Zulu, Admiral Shepard; Rest in Peace, we remember. __________________ At Fiddler’s Green, where seamen true When here they’ve done their duty The bowl of grog shall still renew And pledge to love and beauty.

05-05-11, 10:34 AM	#2
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	__________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

05-05-11, 11:47 AM	#4
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,226 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I think i'll watch "From the Earth to the Moon" tonight. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_th..._miniseries%29 __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

05-05-11, 11:57 AM	#5
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Yes we remember, __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

05-05-11, 06:58 PM	#6
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,396 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Time for one of Platapus' almost interesting space trivia questions! Who was the first person to go in to space twice? Think carefully. (muhahaha) __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

05-05-11, 11:31 AM	#3
Lionclaw Ace of the Deep Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,006 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0