Here’s Apollo 14 Astronaut Edgar D. Mitchell, Lunar Module (“LM”) pilot hopping out of the Command Module (“CM”), with help from a Navy underwater demolition team swimmer. Great reminder that leaving and returning from space requires the efforts of thousands of people. Plus, when you’re going from a Zero-G environment (and 1/6-G on the surface of the Moon) to Earth’s fully loaded Doc-Brown-heavy environment, it’s always nice to get a helping hand. (c. Feb 9, 1971, South Pacific Ocean). (Photo: NASA)
Solar System Ambassadors via NASA JPL
Official SSA logo!
Very excited to be joining NASA JPL’s Solar System Ambassador program, which is comprised of volunteers who bridge mission updates, discoveries, and generally-cool-space-stuff with the general public at local events.
I’ll be sharing updates and fun space content on the usual channels via @MarshallSandy, intermittent stories my website, and upcoming presentations on topics like the Mars Rover, the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 13, and how long it might be until we can all buy a ticket to orbit.
Thanks for following along! (Image: NASA/JPL)
The Apollo 13 Mission Patch
April 2020 marks the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 13, a mission deemed "a successful failure" because of what NASA learned about rescuing crews, and more importantly, collaborating with other people during times of immense pressure.
The motto on the mission patch means "From the Moon, knowledge," and the three horses pulling Apollo's chariot symbolize bringing the light of knowledge to all people.
Daily trivia: Apollo 13 launched from launch pad 39A, same as Apollo 11. (Image: NASA)
Counting Down
Photo: Sandy Marshall
Talk about a famous clock:
The countdown clock at @NASAKennedy was once considered one of the most-watched timepieces in the world. It sits a few miles west of historic pad 39A, which was home to numerous launches throughout NASA’s space program…including Apollo 11.
We’ve all heard the countdowns to “T minus zero,” which is when we all expect the rocket to liftoff and soar into the atmosphere. But T-0 isn’t necessarily the time that the engines ignite.
For example: the Apollo Saturn V launch sequence listed engine ignition at T-8.9 seconds. The Shuttle main engines started at T-6.6 seconds, launch thrust at T-3 seconds and booster ignition at T-0.
“T minus zero” is actually referred to as “an action or event that results in a substantial change in the amount of control you have over a situation.” In other words, countdowns are counting down to a change…and not necessarily a launch.
And there’s your new-decade-metaphor for the day. (Image: Sandy Marshall)