Space Rocket History

The crew nicknamed this operation “The Big Sneak.” They figured the only way to do this was to approach from behind a big rock, then reach over and collect the sample. The post Space Rocket History #365 – Apollo 16 – Moonwalk 2 & 3 – “The Big Sneak” first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.

John and Charlie also collected several rusty-looking rocks with brown stains on their surfaces. These were exciting finds because the rusty appearance suggested the presence of hydrated oxides of iron. “Hydrated” meant water and the scientists had a serious interest … Continue reading → The post Space Rocket History #364 – Apollo 16 – Moonwalk 2 – Evidence of Water first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.

Flag Crater was so steep that if either one of them fell in, it would have been fatal! There was no rescue from the bottom of a big crater. The post Space Rocket History #363 – Apollo 16 – Moonwalk 1 – Part 3 – Grand Prix first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.

Charlie and John were startled by their landing spot. Much of the landing area was covered with rocks or had a steep slope.  Fortunately, they had managed to land on the only level and smooth spot around.

“There you are, our mysterious and unknown Descartes Highlands Plains. Apollo 16 is gonna change your image.” John Young

Due to the change in their flight plan caused by the six-hour delay, the crew had to reprogram a great deal of their onboard data, and this had to be done before they had LOS.  

In the event of a secondary control system failure in the engine, the mission rules stated the entire landing phase of the mission would have to be terminated.  

“Unlike the roller-coaster ride of Earth orbit, we are entering a slow-motion domain where time and distance seem to have more meaning than speed.” Mike Collins 

It looked like they had a leak from one of the propellant tanks on the Lunar Module.  If so, that meant abort! 

Duke was startled. Why was it shaking so hard? What in the world was happening? There had to be something wrong with this rocket. He didn’t recall any briefing to expect this violent vibration as they sat on the launch … Continue reading →

T-90 seconds and all Charlie Duke could think about was let’s go! There was no fear, no reluctance, no second thoughts. He was consumed with the desire to hear the words Lift-off.  He felt this was his one and only … Continue reading →

John Watts Young was an astronaut, naval officer and aviator, test pilot, and aeronautical engineer. He became the ninth person to walk on the Moon as commander of the Apollo 16 mission in 1972. He flew on four different classes … Continue reading →

“Roger, Twank…Tranquility, we copy you on the ground. You got a bunch of guys about to turn blue. We’re breathing again. Thanks a lot!,” Capcom Charlie Duke, Apollo 11 landing.

“cogito, ergo sum” (I think, therefore I am). Rene Descartes.

As the red smoke cleared, Al saw widening holes in one of their parachutes, collapsing it into a useless strip of cloth. “We’ve got a streamer on one,” Al reported.

On Hadley Plain, at 171:37 GET, right on schedule, Falcon’s engine lit, hurling the ascent stage upward in an impressive flurry of dust and debris, captured for the first time on camera and transmitted live to a world-wide audience.

After being cooped up together so closely with his fellow astronauts inside Endeavor, Worden enjoyed stretching out for his solo flight.  Now he really got to fly.

“We pray for one last landingOn the globe that gave us birth;Let us rest our eyes on the fleecy skiesAnd the cool, green hills of Earth.” Robert A. Heinlein

Both men realized what they had discovered. The rock was almost entirely plagioclase. This was surely a chunk of anorthosite, a piece of the primordial crust, the Genesis Rock.

Suddenly, Scott called out that the Rover was beginning to slide down the hill.  As the back wheels came off the ground, Scott quickly got back on to hold the rover down.