Hi,
I hope Monday finds you well.
Regular readers of my wafflings over the years will know that I have often talked about shuttle missions since started again after the Columbia accident, so it comes as no surprise for me to mention the first lundar landing, 40 years ago today. It was either that or the Open golf, so it's the 1969 lundar landing this time...
I remember it well, being a mighty handsome 3 year old. Er, actually not true, I don't remember it at all - come on I was only 3!
In 1961 Alan Shephard became the first American in space, incidentally he became one of the 12 men who walked on the moon, in fact it was he that hit the golf shot off the surface.
So shortly after that 1961 success, President Kennedy announced that the US would send a man to the moon by the end of that decade. He may have been high on pills at the time, and the scientists involved were shocked as they not the faintest idea how to get to the moon!
That started a fierce push of invention, constantly racing against time, and safety barriers, in fact 3 astronauts were burnt alive in the Apollo 1 capsule as it sat on the launch pad.
In 1969, the whole operation could have done with another 5 years to get ready, but Apollo 10 was sent up and did everything except actually land. When Apollo 11 went up, it was seen around the world, and as Neil Armstrong said, it really was a giant leap for mankind, an accomplishment of endeavour and goal achievement.
As it happened, we already knew the moon was grey and lifeless without having to set foot on it, so after 3 years of further missions which revealed little else, the Apollo missions were stopped.
It's only really as the 40th anniversary loomed on the horizon that the idea was mooted of going back, but this time as a stepping stone to sending manned flights to Mars.
Hmm, I'll believe it when I see it.
The space programme really is a marvel when you think of goal achievement. So many things that we take for granted came from space orientated inventions. Mind you, when the Americans expended huge effort to invent a pen that worked upside down so it could be used in zero gravity, the Russians just used a pencil...sometimes the simplest option is the best!
It's always been dangerous, the 2 shuttle explosions showed that, and even today as the shuttle Endeavour is in orbit, that launch was delayed 5 times, mainly due to weather safety restrictions.
On the International Space Station there are currently 12 men and 1 woman, from 5 different countries. Some on their first mission, some on return visits, but each of them with their own story of how they go there.
Can you use the lunar landing and space exploration as a spur for yourself? Of course!
Just think about how hard the scientists and engineers had to work 40 years ago, in such a short time frame.
I'm sure that you could set a 10 year goal, and it would be easier than landing on the moon.
I'm sure someone somewhere will have already achieved your goal, meaning that the route to it is already there.
You just need to decide to follow it, take the first step, and keep at it!
Ok, that's it for this time, I'm off to reminisce about Space Dust, the powder that popped and crackled when you put it on your tongue - remember it?
'Til Next Time,
Health & Happiness,
Gordon
P.S. If you know anyone else who you think would enjoy the Great Gordino Newsletter, please pass it on to them!
My book - Transform Your Life In 21 Days (it may show you how to get to the moon!)
http://www.transformyourlifenow.com
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