Part 2 of 5..

For the past two days I watched disc two From the Earth to the Moon.

Disc two began with figuring out how to get off the moon and back to earth. It was John Hubble's idea to have a lunar orbit. but those listening to him didn't think it would work. Then when they finally decided that a lunar orbit rendezvous would be what they needed to do they researched who would make it and Grumman was handed the prize and 7 years to build it. It seemed like they had plenty of time, but as in life, time slips away and they got behind in finishing it on time. Every piece had to be hand made since nothing like this was ever made before, and every piece had to be tested, and tested... and tested again. Seven years flew by.

"We choose to go to the moon not because it is easy but because it is hard" JFK.

Then came the Apollo Missions...

Astronauts McDivitt, Scott and Schweikhart would be the astronauts to first fly the LEM and test it to undock and dock. They were probably the astronauts who did the most untested tests in space at any given time.

The Apollo 11 crew is chosen: Neil Armstrong. Buzz Aldrin. and Michael Collins.

There was some controversy over who should go out of the LEM first. Both Aldrin and Armstrong wanted to be first. Neil was chosen on the grounds that he was Commander and the Senior Astronaut. Both knew that "history" would only remember the first to set foot on the moon)

Meanwhile Collins had to train to come back alone should the unexpected happen. I can't even imagine the emotional strain on him.

July 20, 1969:

The Eagle is cleared for decent. (the bawling began again! argh!)

Houston held it's breath.

The world held it's breath.

"Houston, Tranquility base here, the Eagle has landed."

Crude! even writing this I cry! I do know where I was, in my livingroom with the television on waiting and listening. I even woke my 3 year old son up to watch the landing, not that he'd remember, but I had to!

I keep wondering.... what did they feel as they looked out the window knowing they were on the moon?

Then Neil Armstrong descends the ladder and makes a hop into the footpad of the LEM. He tests getting back up the ladder and back down.... then he steps off of the pad...

"That's one small step for man... one giant leap for mankind."

(bawl, bawl, bawl.. I give up!) Tomorrow I will begin disc three.

Only 2 disc's out of 5 and I already know I want to somehow afford to send for and have the patches from each of the mission. *sigh* It may never happen.. but I will try. I found a place that sells them but the pricing is a little confusing.