44years ago today

[Spiced_Rum]

When Apollo Mission Astronaut Neil Armstrong first walked on the moon, he not only gave his famous "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" statement but followed it by several remarks, usual communication traffic between him, the other astronauts and Mission Control. Just before he re-entered the lander, however, he made this remark "Good luck Mr. Gorsky."

Many people at NASA thought it was a casual remark concerning some rival Soviet Cosmonaut. However, upon checking, there was no Gorsky in either the Russian or American space programs. Over the years many people questioned Armstrong as to what the "Good luck Mr. Gorsky" statement meant, but Armstrong always just smiled.

On July 5, 1995 in Tampa Bay FL, while answering questions following a speech, a reporter brought up the 26 year old question to Armstrong. This time he finally responded. Mr. Gorsky had finally died and so Neil Armstrong felt he could answer the question.

When he was a kid, he was playing baseball with a friend in the backyard. His friend hit a fly ball, which landed in the front of his neighbor's bedroom windows. His neighbors were Mr. & Mrs. Gorsky.

As he leaned down to pick up the ball, young Armstrong heard Mrs.Gorsky shouting at Mr. Gorsky. "Oral sex! You want oral sex?! You'll get oral sex when that Armstrong kid next door walks on the moon!"

Not a true story, but it makes me laugh to think it could have happened.

[soopaman2]

Truly the last time one could claim American Exceptionalism and be right and accurate.

Hats off, and salutes to the crew of all the Apollo missions, not just the famed Apollo 11!

The missions before tested equipment, and every one of those men helped mankind get there.

Hats off to the men afterwards, when people lost interest in this truly bold venture.

The bravery, and composure of Apollo 13.

What a great generation for innovation, and boldness.

Since then, no man has travelled farther.

[Platapus]

The landing of the moon occurred 44 years ago. What happens in 44 years?

Well in 1969, when we landed on the moon, 44 years ago, then, was 1925.

Think of all the accomplishments that happened between 1925 and 1969. Even limited to aerospace, a lot happened in those 44 years.

We went from wood and cloth airplanes to metal jets and rockets.

Now look at the technological advances that came in the 44 years since 1969. Have we experienced the same changes in technology in the 44 years since 1969 as we did in the 44 years prior to 1969?

[soopaman2]

I can play old Nintendo games on my cell phone, and make a call at the same time on it.

I can google up directions to a restaurant, then have directions show up on my talking gps.

But we still never been further than the moon, we (mankind in itself) is greater than this.

Mars.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Spiced_Rum

Not a true story, but it makes me laugh to think it could have happened.

LOL

[August]

Originally Posted by Platapus

The landing of the moon occurred 44 years ago. What happens in 44 years?

Well in 1969, when we landed on the moon, 44 years ago, then, was 1925.

Think of all the accomplishments that happened between 1925 and 1969. Even limited to aerospace, a lot happened in those 44 years.

We went from wood and cloth airplanes to metal jets and rockets.

Now look at the technological advances that came in the 44 years since 1969. Have we experienced the same changes in technology in the 44 years since 1969 as we did in the 44 years prior to 1969?

I'd say yes if not more of them.

[eddie]

Originally Posted by mako88sb

It seems a lot of people are unaware of the interview Neil did in Australia a few months before he passed on. It's great to see him so relaxed and obviously enjoying himself:

http://thebottomline.cpaaustralia.com.au/

I have seen that, and it was fun to watch. What I found interesting about Neil, was that after he left NASA and became a college instructor, he never gave any interviews, he stayed out of the lime light as best he could. He was that private of a person. Didn't even want to give autographs either. Can you imagine how many times people asked him "What was it like to be the first man to walk on the moon?" Had to get real old for him. It wasn't until later in life, that he began to open up about it. He always felt it wasn't that big of a deal to him, it was his job.
Bur he and the rest of his crew could not have accomplished all that, without all the help from those involved in the Apollo program.

All of us talk about Neil and Buzz when it comes to Apollo 11, not much is ever said about the third member of the crew, Micheal Collins. Neil and Buzz couldn't have gotten home without him. Sometime, you should look up info on Micheal, he was involved in a few flights other then Apollo 11. He flew during Project Gemini too, even did a lengthy spacewalk.

After he left NASA, he would become Directer of the National Air and Space Museum in DC. Haven't seen anything of him until I saw pictures of him and Buzz at Neil's funeral.

[Father Goose]

When Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon, I was 11 years old sitting on my den floor watching him on a black and white tv.
I knew it was a big deal at the time but didn't realize it was as many have referred to it as, the biggest accomplishment in the history of mankind.
I'm just thankful I still remember it. It would be sad if one watched it and couldn't remember it.

In the 80s I had the opportunity to stand at the NASA countdown clock and watch a space shuttle launch. Television cannot convey the power generated during that launch. It was unbelievable to feel the ground shake from miles away and see the ripples in the lake.

So today 44 years after man walked on the moon, I salute NASA on a job well done!

[WernherVonTrapp]

I remember my family and some neighbors having a cookout in our garage. There were thunderstorms and pouring rains and my father set up our B&W TV in the garage so we could watch it. One of the few things in my life that I can still recall with some level of detail. Surreal in retrospect.

[mako88sb]

Originally Posted by eddie

I have seen that, and it was fun to watch. What I found interesting about Neil, was that after he left NASA and became a college instructor, he never gave any interviews, he stayed out of the lime light as best he could. He was that private of a person. Didn't even want to give autographs either. Can you imagine how many times people asked him "What was it like to be the first man to walk on the moon?" Had to get real old for him. It wasn't until later in life, that he began to open up about it. He always felt it wasn't that big of a deal to him, it was his job.
Bur he and the rest of his crew could not have accomplished all that, without all the help from those involved in the Apollo program.

All of us talk about Neil and Buzz when it comes to Apollo 11, not much is ever said about the third member of the crew, Micheal Collins. Neil and Buzz couldn't have gotten home without him. Sometime, you should look up info on Micheal, he was involved in a few flights other then Apollo 11. He flew during Project Gemini too, even did a lengthy spacewalk.

After he left NASA, he would become Directer of the National Air and Space Museum in DC. Haven't seen anything of him until I saw pictures of him and Buzz at Neil's funeral.

I have accumulated quite a number of books about the Apollo years lately and Mikes "Carrying the Fire" is one of my favorites closely followed by Al Wordens "Falling to Earth". No offense to Gene Cernan but it's too bad Mike turned down the opportunity to command AP-17. Have to respect the guy for deciding his family had sacrificed enough for his career. If you haven't read Al's book, I highly recommend it. I think he's the only astronaut that didn't grow up dreaming to become a pilot someday but look how far he got. He gives a brief but very interesting account of flying the NF-104. He also mentions that everybody more or less agreed that Yeager screwed up(your probably aware his flight was shown near the end of The Right Stuff) but nobody dared bring it up around him.