Last Man on the Moon

[gregbuc]

Just finished watching Last Man on the Moon on Netflix. It's well worth watching for any fan of the US Space Programme in the 1960s but with special attention on Gene Cernan who was the commander of Apollo 17. Beautiful pictures from the moon, and an interesting insight into his life, how he feels about how he treated his family during Gemini/Apollo, and how life has been since. Came across as a very honest, interesting man. I had read the book a number of years ago, but this is well worth a watch. Few Speedy shots as well.

[Velorum]

Its about time we got back there in my opinion

[gregbuc]

Totally agree. It must have been exciting to be a part of it, and to see it going on. It was an incredible achievement and although we've built on it (I use the royal we here) a lot, I really did think we'd be further down the road to Mars than we are by now. It just goes to show what can be achieved when there's a collective will.

[turnera1]

I think I'm going to watch it after reading this . I've been into Apollo 13 but should acquaint myself with this one


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[Seabadger]

Haven't seen the film, but his book is excellent. Fascinating guy - the post-moon walk photos of him in the ascent stage are really striking.

[bigvic]

I just need an evening free to watch it! He was due to visit earlier this year when the film was released but ill health meant he had to cancel two days before. We were set to meet him in Pontefract at one of the Space-Lectures.com events but his friend Tom Stafford stepped in at the last minute.
Hopefully he'll be back later this year...

[Velorum]

That the surviving astronauts that have been to the moon are now in their 80's is a sobering thought

At the height of the Apollo programme it seemed perfectly feasible that by the beginning of the 21st century there would be a permanent base on the moon and manned exploration of the other planets (certainly Mars) would be well under way

Well, at least we have the ISS I suppose..........

[TheFonz]

Just finished watching Last Man on the Moon on Netflix. It's well worth watching for any fan of the US Space Programme in the 1960s but with special attention on Gene Cernan who was the commander of Apollo 17. Beautiful pictures from the moon, and an interesting insight into his life, how he feels about how he treated his family during Gemini/Apollo, and how life has been since. Came across as a very honest, interesting man. I had read the book a number of years ago, but this is well worth a watch. Few Speedy shots as well.

I'll give this a go this afternoon, looks intresting.

[Albellisimo]

Its about time we got back there in my opinion

That's a composite photo

[Velorum]

That's a composite photo

Just wanted to capture the general moon landing vibe

[hogthrob]

Just wanted to capture the general moon landing vibe

What, faked?






Runs...

[chicaneuk]

Thanks for the tip off - will definitely watch this. Always find moon stuff fascinating! The guys who went up there were so exceptionally brave.

[magirus]

I suppose that having landed there proves that we aren't being observed by superior beings. Given the complete mess we are making of managing our home world then any higher intelligence would surely stop us leaving and wreaking havoc on other planets. It's all an enormous waste of time, money and resources until we can do things properly down here.

[StackH]

I just need an evening free to watch it! He was due to visit earlier this year when the film was released but ill health meant he had to cancel two days before. We were set to meet him in Pontefract at one of the Space-Lectures.com events but his friend Tom Stafford stepped in at the last minute.
Hopefully he'll be back later this year...

Can't believe that these Space Lectures events have been going on just down the road from me and I never knew! Thanks for the heads up, I'll keep an eye on future events.

[nunya]

I suppose that having landed there proves that we aren't being observed by superior beings. Given the complete mess we are making of managing our home world then any higher intelligence would surely stop us leaving and wreaking havoc on other planets. It's all an enormous waste of time, money and resources until we can do things properly down here.

As fascinating as exploration of space is, I do have to agree.
We know less about our own oceans that we do about the moon.

[bigvic]

Can't believe that these Space Lectures events have been going on just down the road from me and I never knew! Thanks for the heads up, I'll keep an eye on future events.

The astronaut twins Mark and Scott Kelly are coming over in October with a few tickets left if you're interested. I'm being dragged off to a family wedding that weekend otherwise I'd be there too.
https://space-lectures.com/events/

[StackH]

The astronaut twins Mark and Scott Kelly are coming over in October with a few tickets left if you're interested. I'm being dragged off to a family wedding that weekend otherwise I'd be there too.
https://space-lectures.com/events/

Thanks. Have to be honest, I'm absolutely gutted I missed Jim Lovell last October.

[Velorum]

I managed to watch this on Netflix this afternoon

A really well constructed piece that doesn't replicate the usual Apollo documentary type format. It includes interviews with colleagues and family members (of other astronauts as well) and provides some interesting insights into the journey they all went on in one way or another.

Beautifully filmed, absolutely fascinating and at times poignant and touching.

Time well spent - I recommend it.

[TheFlyingBanana]

I presume you have all seen the simply brilliant HBO series "From the Earth to the Moon"?

[Velorum]

I presume you have all seen the simply brilliant HBO series "From the Earth to the Moon"?

I agree - great series



https://www.amazon.co.uk/Earth-Moon-.../dp/B000CQ97OC

[Ian_O]

That the surviving astronauts that have been to the moon are now in their 80's is a sobering thought

At the height of the Apollo programme it seemed perfectly feasible that by the beginning of the 21st century there would be a permanent base on the moon and manned exploration of the other planets (certainly Mars) would be well under way

Well, at least we have the ISS I suppose..........

If you want to see the ISS today Ian, and let's face it the weather couldn't be much better for it, then these are the details (for viewing from yours and my location tonight) -

Mon Jun 06 9:53 PM, Visible: 5 min, Max Height: 89°, Appears: 18° above W, Disappears: 11° above E

Ian

[Velorum]

If you want to see the ISS today Ian, and let's face it the weather couldn't be much better for it, then these are the details (for viewing from yours and my location tonight) -

Mon Jun 06 9:53 PM, Visible: 5 min, Max Height: 89°, Appears: 18° above W, Disappears: 11° above E

Ian

Hi Ian

Many thanks for that - just had a word with SWMBO - we will be out in the garden to have a look!

Cheers
Ian

[Mr Curta]

A good resource for ISS tracking information here:

http://www.n2yo.com/passes/?s=25544

[Velorum]

All ready for later on



Monocular and binoculars ready - I realise that the telescope is not much good due to the speed it will be travelling, however its such a clear sky that we thought that we have a look at the moon through it

[petethegeek]

That the surviving astronauts that have been to the moon are now in their 80's is a sobering thought.

It was the realistion back in 1999 that only nine of the twelve 'moon walkers' were still alive which acted as a catalyst for Andrew Smith to write Moondust, where he set out to interview them all before it was too late.

[Ian_O]

All ready for later on



Monocular and binoculars ready - I realise that the telescope is not much good due to the speed it will be travelling, however its such a clear sky that we thought that we have a look at the moon through it

You're well prepared! I subscribe to emails from NASA (HQ-spotthestation@mail.nasa.gov) and it's a great service. You tell them your location and they send emails with detailed timings as per my earlier message.

The best view we had was a few years ago when the shuttle Atlantis was docked to the ISS and you could clearly see the shape of the docked shuttle on the side of the station through binoculars.

Enjoy the view!

Ian

[Ian_O]

Did you get a good view?

[catch21]

It went well. Was 3/4s over us before I had eyes on, but that maybe because of the angle of the sun etc. Moves very quickly, easily mistaken for an aircraft I should have thought.

Thanks for the tip.

[Velorum]

Unfortunately no

Obviously looking in the wrong place!

Undaunted, I will try again tomorrow night - its a little later

[Ian_O]

Unfortunately no

Obviously looking in the wrong place!

Undaunted, I will try again tomorrow night - its a little later

That's a pity. Good luck tonight.

[robcat]

Watched this last week. Being a child in the 70's, I remember being fascinated by the space program, and agree that expectations from future space projects were very high. Also the positive, pioneering, "for the good of mankind" spirit of these guys is very infectious. (Naive though - as they said in the film, events such as civil rights clashes and Vietnam were going on at the same time).

It's a shame so much momentum was lost, but the cost of the Apollo program was immense - $100-200b (today's money, presumably over the 10+ years) according to estimates. Even at the time the spending was seen as excessive, and the final Apollo flights were never made. (Cynics would point out that the US military budget is about $600b per annum, or the US government paid hundreds of billions to bail the banks out after the financial crisis).

Regardless, it's almost impossible to justify that kind of spending in a representative democracy. This is why we will be seeing China become the leading space pioneers - they can green light such huge project without justification to an electorate.

[Velorum]

That's a pity. Good luck tonight.

Thanks

I blame the wife - well its better than blaming myself

Kept pointing to something to the North insisting that it was the station - it was clearly not moving - my guess is that we should have been scanning the sky to the South

In any event the sky will be darker tonight as it will be later

[Ian_O]

Thanks

I blame the wife - well its better than blaming myself

Kept pointing to something to the North insisting that it was the station - it was clearly not moving - my guess is that we should have been scanning the sky to the South

In any event the sky will be darker tonight as it will be later

Good tactic!

Well, tonight's details for our area are - Time: Tue Jun 07 10:35 PM, Visible: 6 min, Max Height: 53°, Appears: 10° above W, Disappears: 12° above SE

Unfortunately at 53 degrees it's nowhere near as "overhead" as last night, but should still be quite visible as long as there aren't too many obstructions around.

[Velorum]

Thanks Ian - heres hoping for a relatively cloud free sky!

[Ian_O]

Watched this last week. Being a child in the 70's, I remember being fascinated by the space program, and agree that expectations from future space projects were very high. Also the positive, pioneering, "for the good of mankind" spirit of these guys is very infectious. (Naive though - as they said in the film, events such as civil rights clashes and Vietnam were going on at the same time).

It's a shame so much momentum was lost, but the cost of the Apollo program was immense - $100-200b (today's money, presumably over the 10+ years) according to estimates. Even at the time the spending was seen as excessive, and the final Apollo flights were never made. (Cynics would point out that the US military budget is about $600b per annum, or the US government paid hundreds of billions to bail the banks out after the financial crisis).

Regardless, it's almost impossible to justify that kind of spending in a representative democracy. This is why we will be seeing China become the leading space pioneers - they can green light such huge project without justification to an electorate.

Exactly, and even in the sixties I suspect without the possibility of Russia getting there first, the money may not have been spent to make Mercury/Gemini/Apollo the success it was.

[Ian_O]

Thanks Ian - heres hoping for a relatively cloud free sky!

Indeed. Not looking so good at the moment is it? :-(

[robcat]

Exactly, and even in the sixties I suspect without the possibility of Russia getting there first, the money may not have been spent to make Mercury/Gemini/Apollo the success it was.

Plus there was the synergy between developing rockets for space exploration and developing ballistic missile systems.

[gregbuc]

I presume you have all seen the simply brilliant HBO series "From the Earth to the Moon"?

This was a great programme and I've watched it a few times now. I keep looking for them to release it on Blu-Ray but no sign. It'll probably never happen but Tom Hanks is a bit of a space nut so maybe one day.

[reecie]

Watched it tonight. Really enjoyed it so thanks for the tip. Remember the missions when I was a kid and have done the pilgrimage to Kennedy.

[reecie]

A sad bump.

Gene Cernan died Monday at 82. RIP. Twelve people have walked on the Moon, and only six of them are still alive today now. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-38641121

[Velorum]

Yes, I saw that earlier this evening on one of the news feeds.

It would be a really sad thing especially for these guys legacy if we reach a point where there is no one alive that had set foot on the moon.

[markrlondon]

Its about time we got back there in my opinion

Agreed. It was worth every penny to go there.

The human race will go back, and will go further. We have to. Out there is our inevitable future.

[Ian_O]

Yes, I saw that earlier this evening on one of the news feeds.

It would be a really sad thing especially for these guys legacy if we reach a point where there is no one alive that had set foot on the moon.

I agree, it will be very sad, but I fear it's now inevitable. I think it's very unlikely that we'll see any more manned moon landings in the lifetimes of the six remaining moon walkers.