Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Apollo 1



The Mercury and Gemini space programs put the first American in space, the first American in orbit, and the first American Space Walk. The Apollo program began with disaster. The crew, pictured above, were killed in a capsule fire during practice on the launch pad. The accident resulted from the pure oxygen environment in the capsule. Pure oxygen can be highly flammable. From left to right, the men were Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee.
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10 comments:

  1. This helps to answer the question "What do heroes look like?" Thank you.

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    1. You got that right my friend.

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  2. I remember the space program from Alan Shepherd on, pretty well. I remember the tragedy of the fire, it seem impossible at the time. I can't remember the year. Also the suspense of waiting for the capsule to circle the moon and reappear. And the suspense of waiting to see if we could bring them home okay when the capsule lost power. And the Challenger explosion. Just sort of numb.

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    1. Rebecca2, if you haven't seen it already, rent the movie "Apollo 13" starring Tom Hanks. It is a terrific telling of that aborted moon landing. I was astounded to see that they were using slide rules at the space center to do the math on figuring fuel and oxygen supplies, orbits, etc. My Dad used a slide rule for all things mathematical. I still have it.

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  3. What I love about this site is it makes me look things up and learn about the various people, things and places pictured. The 3 gentlemen pictured today accomplished so much in their brief time than most of us can't even dream of doing. Too many accomplishments to list here, it's truly amazing. Just pick 1 guy and read his bio., incredible! I just can't say enough. Not surprising is the fact that as kids they were all Boyscouts. Hey, there's an idea for a future theme... the BSA.

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  4. My friend's oldest granson was just awarded Eagle Scout. He has gone from a gangly kid to a fully grown young man who will always be supported by the many things he has learned theough Scouting. He is not a great sports jock or a genius, but he has many of the keys to life: integrity, character, compassion and self reliance.

    My regret is that I miss something in my life by not working my way through the scouting program.

    Sail on Apollo I.

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    1. Al, Congrats to your friends grandson. Eagle is no easy feat! Your right about learning the keys to life in the Scouts. Everything I needed to know was learned in Trp. 57 Stoughton MA Old Colony Council.

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    2. I wouldn't say everthing, scouting never thaught me anything about girls.

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  5. This was so big when I was in elementry school. The information sticks with me today. Must have made an impact.

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  6. I remember this tragedy well - I was in Junior High School when it happened. I can't believe over 40 years have passed.

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