History Teaches - June 3

[azmouse]

June 3, 1965: Major Edward White walks in space

NASA astronaut Ed White was the first American to walk in space.

White was attached to the capsule by a 25-foot umbilical cord. The EVA (Extravehicular Activity) lasted only 23 minutes, but White said he lost track of time and couldn't believe how beautiful the world looked.

When he was told it was time to return to the capsule, he sighed, "It's the saddest moment of my life."

[The Desperate Blogger]

Tragically, Ed White, along with fellow astronauts Gus Grissom (the 2nd American in space) and Roger Chaffee, was killed in a launchpad fire barely 1 1/2 years later...

It's easy to forget the risks all astronauts -- particularly the earlier ones -- took...

[azmouse]

(06-03-2011 09:42 AM)The Desperate Blogger Wrote:  Tragically, Ed White, along with fellow astronauts Gus Grissom (the 2nd American in space) and Roger Chaffee, was killed in a launchpad fire barely 1 1/2 years later...

It's easy to forget the risks all astronauts -- particularly the earlier ones -- took...

Imagine all the trust these men put in those who built the rockets to lift them into space, and suits they used in space for protection. And these astronauts still had an amazing time doing an incredibly difficult and dangerous job.
The level of success the space program has had with few, but still too many, deaths is astounding.

[RoyGBiv]

If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend the six-part Science Channel series from 2008 called Moon Machines.

Most space program documentaries deal with the astronauts or specific missions, but none of it would have been possible without all the machines. This documentary tells the often forgotten story of those machines and the people who made them.

It's really, really good.

[azmouse]

(06-03-2011 03:56 PM)RoyGBiv Wrote:  If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend the six-part Science Channel series from 2008 called Moon Machines.

Most space program documentaries deal with the astronauts or specific missions, but none of it would have been possible without all the machines. This documentary tells the often forgotten story of those machines and the people who made them.

It's really, really good.

I haven't seen that show. Thanks for the rec. I see the program is available on DVD. I may have to add it to my collection.