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ALMOST FULL "COLD" MOON BESIDE JUPITER TONIGHT![]()
The Moon and bright Jupiter meet in the constellation Taurus for a Saturday night date, Dec. 14th. ![]()
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Astronomers call it a Moon Jupiter Conjunction:![]()
The Planet Conjunction occurs when two or more planets come close to each other or when one or more planets of our solar system hover near the full or partial Moon.![]()
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The Moon will be Full phase, 14 days old, on Sunday morning. Called the "Cold Moon" for obvious reasons, this Full Moon is also called the "Yule Moon" for the yuletide season. ![]()
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On the left, or north side of the Moon is another bright star, Capella, in Auriga the Charioteer.
APOLLO 17 ENDS LAST MOON ADVENTURE 52 YEARS AGO DEC. 14, 1972--Apollo 17 moonwalkers Eugene Cernan, deceased, and Harrison”Jack” Schmitt, 89, successfully lifted off from the lunar surface in the ascent stage of the LM on December 14, at 5:55 pm EST. ![]()
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After a successful rendezvous and docking with Ron Evans in the CSM in orbit, the crew transferred equipment and lunar samples between the LM and the CSM for return to Earth. Following this, the LM ascent stage was sealed off and jettisoned at 1:31 am on December 15. The ascent stage was then deliberately crashed into the Moon in a collision recorded by seismometers deployed on Apollo 17 and previous Apollo expeditions.![]()
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Grumman Corp.’s Lunar Module (LM-12) spent more than 3 days on the Taurus-Littrow Valley of the Moon, spending 22 hours on the surface during three extravehicular activities that included driving 22 miles in the Lunar Rover. ![]()
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The mission broke several crewed spaceflight records, including the longest Moon landing; longest total lunar surface extravehicular activities (22 hours 4 minutes); largest lunar sample return (110.52 kilograms or 243.7 lb); longest time in lunar orbit (6 days 4 hours) and most lunar orbits (75).![]()
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Apollo 17 landed back on Earth in the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 19, 1972. That is the last time humans have visited and returned from the Moon. ![]()
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Check out the launch on YouTube...just 36 seconds worth....
Apollo 17 Liftoff from Moon - December 14, 1972
www.youtube.com
Lift-off of Apollo 17 Lunar Module ascent stage is captured by a television camera mounted on the lunar rover which the crew parked about 145 meters east of ...
HAPPY 88TH BIRTHDAY TO TWO-TIME SHUTTLE ASTRONAUT ROBERT PARKER![]()
Robert Parker, one of the first astronomer/astronaut mission specialists, is 88 today. ![]()
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Dr. Robert Allan Ridley Parker was born in New York City on December 14, 1936, but grew up in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. ![]()
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Dr. Parker was selected as a scientist-astronaut by NASA in August 1967. He flew on STS-9 and the first Spacelab in 1983, and on STS-35, the first all-astronomy mission with the Astro-1 lab of telescopes in the cargo bay.![]()
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Parker was director of the Division of Policy and Plans for the Office of Space Flight at NASA Headquarters from January 1991 to December 1991. From January 1992 to November 1993, He was director of the Spacelab and Operations Program in 1992-93, and from 1993-97 he was manager of the Space Operations Utilization Program. ![]()
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In August 1997, Parker was named director of the NASA Management Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Parker retired from NASA on August 31, 2005.
HAPPY 64TH BIRTHDAY ASTRONAUT CADY COLEMAN, POPULAR ADVOCATE OF SPACE EXPLORATION ![]()
www.facebook.com/astrocady![]()
Catherine Grace "Cady" Coleman was born Dec. 14, 1960 in Charleston, South Carolina. ![]()
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Coleman is a veteran of two Space Shuttle missions, STS-73 and STS-93, and a Soyuz TMA-20 mission on Expedition 26/27. ![]()
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She has 181 days in space. She is a retired Air Force colonel and a vocal advocate for STEAM education, and she has a new book about her experiences: "Sharing Space." Cady’s web page:![]()
cadycoleman.com/![]()
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Coleman is a flute player and has taken several flutes with her to the ISS, including a pennywhistle from Paddy Moloney of The Chieftains, an old Irish flute from Matt Molloy of The Chieftains, and a flute from Ian Anderson of the band Jethro Tull (Photo). She also enjoyed meeting rocker Joan Jett (photo). AND with earthling Nicole Stott on the ISS. ![]()
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Selected as one of two dozen astronauts in the 1992 NASA Group 14 class nicknamed "The Hogs," she previously worked for NASA on the Long Duration Exposure Facility. ![]()
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In 1995, she was a member of the STS-73 crew on the scientific mission USML-2 with experiments including biotechnology, combustion science, and the physics of fluids. ![]()
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STS-93 was Coleman's second space flight in 1999. She was mission specialist in charge of deploying the Chandra X-ray Observatory and its Inertial Upper Stage out of the Shuttle's cargo bay.![]()
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Coleman launched on December 15, 2010 aboard Soyuz TMA-20 to join the Expedition 26 mission aboard the International Space Station. THAT was a belated birthday candle for the veteran space flier. ![]()
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Cady is very active in the public and has been honored with her flute playing, being involved in many music projects. She frequently posts on Facebook and other social media. ![]()
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In 2019 the Irish postal service An Post issued a set of commemorative stamps for the 50th anniversary of the Apollo Moon landings, Catherine Coleman is featured alongside fellow astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Eileen Collins.
BIG COLLEGE FOOTBALL ARMY-NAVY GAME TODAY, DEC. 14, 2024. 59 YEARS AGO TOMORROW, GEMINI VI'S WEST POINTER WALLY SCHIRRA HAD THIS TO SAY ABOUT NAVY MAN JIM LOVELL ON GEMINI VII ABOUT THE CLASSIC ARMY-NAVY FOOTBALL GAME IN 1965.
ASM'S APRIL 11-13, 2025 SHUTTLEFEST IV HAS TWO HUBBLE SPACEWALKERS AND TWO FANTASTIC ASTRONAUTS WAITING TO MEET YOU!![]()
Get Tickets here: spacewalkoffame.org/event/shuttlefest-4-info-tickets![]()
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ShuttleFest IV will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope with a “Hubble Huggers Saturday” of four panel discussions about the amazing launch, servicing and photography as told by those spaceworkers and service mission spacewalkers Joe Tanner and John Grunsfeld!![]()
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Sunday will feature panels spearheaded by four-time Shuttle astronaut Don Thomas with NASA legends Bob Sieck and Jay Honeycutt. Another panel features “Bringing Columbia Home” author Jonathan Ward with his two co-writers, the world’s first female space commander, Eileen Collins, and launch director Mike Leinbach. Mike’s book is the definitive story about the tragedy.![]()
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The VIP guest list is still fluid, and many of the dozen or so local astronauts are encouraged to just stop by for some interaction with their “heroes,” the American space workers. There will be fellowship time with space workers and enthusiasts of the Space Shuttle Era. Many “extras” are in the planning stages to make this a special annual fundraising event.![]()
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EILEEN COLLINS![]()
Eileen Collins is a former flight instructor and test pilot, and the first woman to pilot the Space Shuttle and the first to command a Space Shuttle mission.![]()
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She was born in Elmira, New York and became a colonel in the U.S. Air Force became skilled pilot of more than 30 aircraft from the C-130 Hercules transporter to the F-17 Fighting Falcon. She as even flown the Goodyear Blimp!![]()
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Collins, 68, will be autographing her popular book with co-author Jonathan Ward, “ Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars: The Story of the First American Woman to Command a Space Mission. She is also the subject of a 2024 documentary, “Spacewoman” by Haviland Digital Production.![]()
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Her 37 days in space on four Space Shuttle missions are: STS-63 (1993 Mir Rendezvous); STS-84 (1997, 6th Mir Docking); STS-93 (1999, Chandra X-ray Telescope); STS-114, (2005, Return to Flight). ![]()
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DR. JOHN GRUNSFELD![]()
Dr. John Grunsfeld is an astronaut, astronomer and former Associate Adminstrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate.![]()
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As an astronaut who worked on the Hubble Space Telescope on three successive servicing missions, Dr. John Grunsfeld, 66, has a unique relationship with the telescope. The last human, space-gloved hand to touch the amazing telescope, Grunsfeld watched Hubble drift against the background of Earth and stars, and then later he’s used the data as a professional astronomer.![]()
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Born in Chicago, Illinois, Grunsfeld, 66, has 59 days in space, eight spacewalks for nearly 60 hours on five Space Shuttle missions: STS-67 (1995 Astro-2), STS-81 (1997, 5th Mir docking) STS-103 (1999, Hubble upgrade); STS-109 (2002, Hubble upgrade #4) STS-125 (2009, 5th and final Hubble service mission). ![]()
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An avid mountain climber, Grunsfeld in 2000 climbed Mt. Denali in Alaska, the highest peak in North America, appearing on the PBS NOVA episode “Deadly Ascent.” ![]()
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JOE TANNER![]()
Astronaut Joe Tanner is very experienced spaceman with 44 days in space on four Space Shuttles and seven extravehicular activities for 47 hours. And he did it with a Navy aviator and jet instructor pilot and no advanced academic degrees after getting his bachelor’s degree at University of Illinois. ![]()
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Born in Danville, Illinois, Tanner, 74, has an identical twin brother, David, a math and physics professor. He was one of 24 NASA Astronaut Group 14 called “The Hogs” (which included fellow ShuttleFester John Grunsfeld). ![]()
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Tanners Shuttle missions: STS-66 (1994, ATLAS-3); STS-82 (1997, Hubble service, 2 EVAs); STS-97 (2000, ISS solar arrays, 3 EVA’s); STS-115 (ISS truss, 1 EVA). During the Atlantis STS-115 spacewalk, Tanner took a photo listed by Popular Science Magazine as the best astronaut selfie. ![]()
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DON THOMAS![]()
Four-time astronaut Don Thomas has the distinction of being on the only reflight of an entire Shuttle crew, and the all-Ohio crew that flew despite a woodpecker’s challenges.![]()
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The Cleveland, Ohio native has a doctorate degree from Cornell University in physics and was in the 1990 NASA Astronaut Group 13 class called the “Hairballs” with a black cat mascot. ShuttleFester Eileen Collins was also in the class. ![]()
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In 2013, Thomas wrote a book with the assistance of Mike Bartell, "Orbit of Discovery: The All-Ohio Space Shuttle Mission,"[ referencing the STS-70 “Ohio” flight and delay cause by a woodpecker marring the external tank. ![]()
Thomas, 69, is active in promoting space exploration. His four missions were: STS-65 (1994, International microgravity lab IML-2); STS-70 (1995, TDRS Satellite); STS-83 (1997, microgravity MSL-1, cut short to 3 days by fuel cell issue); STS-94 (1997, reflight of MSL-1).
WHY AREN'T YOU WATCHING. THE LAST MOON WALK 52 YEARS AGO HAPPENING "NOW" TILL MIDNIGHT! ![]()
apolloinrealtime.org
A real-time interactive journey through the last landing on the Moon. Relive every moment as it occurred in 1972.
Apollo 17 Anecdotes You'll Love!![]()
Host MarQ talks Apollo 17 with fascinating tidbits machines and men who made the final steps on the Moon 52 years ago
Apollo 17 Anecdotes You'll Love!
www.youtube.com
Host MarQ talks Apollo 17 with fascinating tidbits machines and men who made the final steps on the Moon 52 years ago
MARQ & MARTY RECAP THE APOLLO 17 LAST HURRAH![]()
watch anytime on YouTube www.youtube.com/c/AmericanSpaceMuseum
ALL BLUE ORIGIN WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS IS...![]()
WE ARE WAITING FOR THE INAUGURAL NEW GLENN LAUNCH, MR. BEZOS!![]()
from News Reports:![]()
PHOTO: Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp and founder Jeff Bezos get a look at New Glenn. (Blue Origin via LinkedIn)![]()
On Monday, Dec. 9th, Blue Origin officials confirmed that they still hope to launch New Glenn by year's end. Space enthusiasts have been waiting patiently for the inaugural launch of this mammoth rocket, having seen the Space Coast transformed by the billion-dollar rocket factory across from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex![]()
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An upper-stage tanking test took place Tuesday morning at Launch Complex 36. No target launch date has been announced, but rumor point to the week of Dec. 16th. The New Glenn inaugural launch is 4 years behind schedule, but that's the rocket "start-up" business. ![]()
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"It's literally on the pad now, waiting for regulatory approval. It needs its final regulatory approvals to launch. So we're very, very close," Blue Origin's billionaire founder Jeff Bezos said last week during a New York Times DealBook Summit on-stage interview.![]()
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However, with minimal fanfare, Blue Origin crews have moved the company's first-ever, enormous New Glenn rocket onto the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for preflight testing. Towering taller than a football field, this huge rocket is clearly visible on the horizon from the sand in downtown Cocoa Beach.![]()
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“Just incredible to see New Glenn on the pad at LC-36,” Bezos wrote today in an Instagram post that referred to Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. “Big year ahead. Let’s go!”![]()
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Blue Origin’s CEO, Dave Limp, agreed that the sight was incredible.![]()
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“Its size alone — more than 30 stories high and a 7-meter diameter fairing with 487 cubic meters of capacity — is humbling,” he wrote in a LinkedIn post.![]()
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Blue Origin said Tuesday that the test payload for the first launch of its new rocket, New Glenn, is ready for liftoff. The company published an image of the "Blue Ring" pathfinder nestled up against one half of the rocket's payload fairing.
ARE YOU GETTING INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT? HINT: SPACE GIFTS ARE THE BEST! COME VISIT OUR GIFT SHOP!
MOON WALK #2 UNDERWAY FOR APOLLO 17...52 YEARS AGO...FOLLOW IT "LIVE" ![]()
apolloinrealtime.org
A real-time interactive journey through the last landing on the Moon. Relive every moment as it occurred in 1972.
NSS' Burt Dicht's Top Space Stories of 2024![]()
Burt Dicht, National Space Society's membership director, shares his Top Space Stories of 2024 to bridge the space between us
NSS' Burt Dicht's Top Space Stories of 2024
www.youtube.com
Burt Dicht, National Space Society's membership director, shares his Top Space Stories of 2024 to bridge the space between us
ENJOY A RECAP OF 2024 SPACE NEWS FROM THIS INFLUENCER FROM THE National Space Society
APOLLO 17 ON THE MOON! FOLLOW THE 3-DAY CAMP OUT LIVE HERE: ASTRONAUTS SLEEPING UNTIL ABOUT 2:45 PM EST TODAY ![]()
apolloinrealtime.org/17/
HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY TO KEN “HOCK” HAM, SHUTTLE PILOT AND COMMANDER![]()
Kenneth Tod “Hock” Ham was born Dec. 12, 1964 in Plainfield, New Jersey. The Navy Captain was pilot of STS-124, Discovery, in June 2008, and commander of STS-132 in May 2010. ![]()
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Totaling 25 days in space on his two Shuttle missions to the International Space Station, Ham was at the end of the program and retired from NASA in June 2012. ![]()
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STS-124 delivered the KIBO Japanese module to the ISS in June 2008. STS-132 was launched in May 2010 and delivered a Russian-built research module to the ISS, as well as spare antennas and batteries. ![]()
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He has been the resident astronaut at Mission Discovery, where he shares his experiences with teenagers around the world who are learning through STEAM education. ![]()
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During a temporary assignment to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, Ham served as a crew member aboard NASA's reduced gravity research aircraft—a KC-135 Stratotanker nicknamed the "Vomit Comet".![]()
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At the Naval Postgraduate School/Test Pilot School, Ham participated in a cooperative program, studying aeronautical engineering for 18 months, followed by 12 months of test pilot training. He was selected as one of five Navy pilots on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Integrated Test Team, responsible for developing a new fleet aircraft. In this role, Ham conducted flight tests involving arrested landings, catapult-assisted takeoffs, weapon separation, and evaluation of the aircraft's propulsion stability, performance and general flying qualities.![]()
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During two deployments to the Mediterranean Sea, Ham conducted combat missions over Bosnia and North Iraq, serving as an air wing strike leader, F/A-18 demonstration pilot, and night vision goggle instructor. He has over 6,000 flight hours in more than 40 aircraft types, with over 300 shipboard and 300 land-based arrested landings.![]()
Ken’s NASA bio:![]()
www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ham_kenneth.pdf
HAPPY 73RD BIRTHDAY TO ASTRONAUT ASTRONOMER STEPHEN HAWLEY![]()
Dr. Stephen Alan Hawley was born Dec. 12, 1951 in Ottawa, Kansas, and regards Salina as his hometown. ![]()
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Hawley, was married and divorced from late astronaut Sally Ride, is a veteran of five Space Shuttle flights, including deployment and upgrade to the Hubble Space Telescope and deployment of the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. ![]()
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His 32 days in space include: STS-41-D Discovery in 1984 deploying three satellites: STS-1-C Columbia in January 1986, deploying satellites in the last mission before the Challenger accident; STS-31, Discovery and the deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope in April 1990; STS-82, Discovery, and upgrade of the Hubble in February 1997; ans STS-93, Columbia, and the deployment of the Chandra X-Ray Telescope in July 1999. ![]()
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Hawley is a member of the American Astronomical Society, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sigma Pi Sigma, and Phi Beta Kappa. Now retired, he resides in Lawrence, Kansas, where his parents also live.![]()
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He was director of Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science at Johnson Space Center, and professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Kansas.![]()
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Hawley graduated from Salina High School Central, Salina, Kansas, in 1969; he regards Salina as his home town. Hawley attended the University of Kansas, graduating with highest distinction in 1973 with Bachelor of Science degrees in Physics and in Astronomy. ![]()
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He spent three summers employed as a research assistant: 1972 at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., and 1973 and 1974 at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia. He attended graduate school at Lick Observatory, University of California, Santa Cruz, graduating in 1977 with a Doctorate in Astronomy and Astrophysics.![]()
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Hawley’s NASA bio![]()
www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/hawley_steven.pdf
52 YEARS AGO THE LAST HUMAN MOON LANDING
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Darrell Higginbotham, designer Saturn V hold down![]()
Darrell Higginbotham was the chief engineer on Boeing's hold down mechanism for the mighty Saturn V rocket, and he has some little known facts to share
Darrell Higginbotham, designer Saturn V hold down
www.youtube.com
Darrell Higginbotham was the chief engineer on Boeing's hold down mechanism for the mighty Saturn V rocket, and he has some little known facts to share
APOLLO 17 REAL TIME: apolloinrealtime.org/17/ LANDING AT 2:55 PM EST TODAY! RON EVANS IN COMMAND MODULE "AMERICA," WHILE GENE CERNAN AND JACK SCHMITT ARE IN LUNAR MODULE #12, "CHALLENGER." ![]()
The LM "Challenger" touched down on the lunar surface at 2:55 p.m. EST on December 11, just over twelve minutes after descent engine ignition. Challenger landed about 656 feet east of the planned landing point.