Tomorrow, May 5th, we as Americans will celebrate the Anniversary of Alan Shepard's flight into space 50 years ago. Alan flew in a Mercury capsule on top of a Redstone Rocket. His recovery at sea was viewed by millions on live television. Alan could have been the first human to fly in space, however, delays postponed what was to be an October, 1960 launch. Safety was the concern back then as it is today. Alan actually had some control over the Mercury capsule including it's attitude. His flight was not on autopilot. He was very concerned about making a mistake as he knew everyone was depending on him. His flight was a great success and a tribute to all those who came before him, some giving their lives as test pilots. The success could not have been possible if it were not for all those who were involved in the design, manufacturing and assembly, and all things necessary to launch a spacecraft. All were American Patriots.
I was just 15 years old in 1961 and had been licensed as a Novice for 3 months. My father worked at NASA Lewis so we were very much aware of the tremendous effort being made to put a man in Space. The years that came after saw the United States fly mission after mission culminating with a lunar landing. Alan Shepard would later command Apollo 14 and pilot the lunar lander onto the surface of the moon. Alan Shepard (1923-1998) is an American Hero.
Alan Shepard, the first American in Space, May 5th, 1961. Tell your kids and grandkids about him.
73, John K8YSE
...was he not the first lunar golfer as well? :)
73's Peter VE7NGP
Yup,
Took a six iron head and attached it to a tool handle. He took three shots, shanked the first two but according to Sheppard the third went "Miles & Miles".
Clear Skies
Rick Tejera Editor SACnews, Public Outreach Coordinator Saguaro Astronomy Club Phoenix, Arizona www.saguaroastro.org saguaroastro@cox.net K7TEJ, AMSAT 38452
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Ng, Peter Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2011 10:47 To: 'John Papay'; amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Alan Shepard, First American in Space
...was he not the first lunar golfer as well? :)
73's Peter VE7NGP
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--- On Wed, 5/4/11, Rick Tejera saguaroastro@cox.net wrote:
From: Rick Tejera saguaroastro@cox.net Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Alan Shepard, First American in Space To: "'Ng, Peter'" Peter.Ng@bccdc.ca, "'John Papay'" john@papays.com, amsat-bb@amsat.org Received: Wednesday, May 4, 2011, 5:40 PM Yup,
Took a six iron head and attached it to a tool handle. He took three shots, shanked the first two but according to Sheppard the third went "Miles & Miles".
<snip>
That was shown on the live TV feed during one of Shepard and Mitchell's EVAs. It's also portrayed in the episode "For Miles and Miles" from the HBO series "From The Earth To The Moon".
73s
Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL
I think it's a shame we don't have an Astronauts Day to observe in the US. So many gave so much to this effort.
I suggested this to the governor of my state years ago, and I never received a reply. So strange considering Florida is where all of the US manned flights have originated from.
73 de Sebastian, W4AS
On May 4, 2011, at 12:16 PM, John Papay wrote:
Tomorrow, May 5th, we as Americans will celebrate the Anniversary of Alan Shepard's flight into space 50 years ago.
Sebastian ask for a political day and you will have 360 days !!!GL Al XE2AT
From: w4as@bellsouth.net Date: Wed, 4 May 2011 14:26:29 -0400 To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Alan Shepard, First American in Space
I think it's a shame we don't have an Astronauts Day to observe in the US. So many gave so much to this effort.
I suggested this to the governor of my state years ago, and I never received a reply. So strange considering Florida is where all of the US manned flights have originated from.
73 de Sebastian, W4AS
On May 4, 2011, at 12:16 PM, John Papay wrote:
Tomorrow, May 5th, we as Americans will celebrate the Anniversary of Alan Shepard's flight into space 50 years ago.
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Yes, I agree. At least the USPS is going to release a new stamp in honor of Shepard tomorrow. 73 de John, WB4GLJ
--- On Wed, 5/4/11, Sebastian w4as@bellsouth.net wrote:
I think it's a shame we don't have an Astronauts Day to observe in the US. So many gave so much to this effort.
Dear friends It's indeed a great achievement. No doubt, Alan Shepard's flight 50 years ago have paved the way for what United States is today in the area of manned missions. His contribution has not only helped the US, but the World as a whole in exploring the frontiers of space for the development of mankind on the Earth. On this great day, we salute and pay our tributes to this 'Great Soul' for his unparalleled contribution. We in India, join everyone in the United States and else where, in expressing our greetings and good wishes on this historic occasion.
73 de
Mani, VU2WMY Secretary & Station-In-Charge Upagrah Amateur Radio Club VU2URC ISRO Satellite Centre HAL Airport Road, Bangalore-560 017. Phone:(O)91-80-25082054/2598/2192 Mobile: 91-80-98803 41456 E-mail ID: wmy@isac.gov.in vu2wmy_mani@yahoo.com isrohams@yahoo.com
Quoting John Papay john@papays.com:
Tomorrow, May 5th, we as Americans will celebrate the Anniversary of Alan Shepard's flight into space 50 years ago. Alan flew in a Mercury capsule on top of a Redstone Rocket. His recovery at sea was viewed by millions on live television. Alan could have been the first human to fly in space, however, delays postponed what was to be an October, 1960 launch. Safety was the concern back then as it is today. Alan actually had some control over the Mercury capsule including it's attitude. His flight was not on autopilot. He was very concerned about making a mistake as he knew everyone was depending on him. His flight was a great success and a tribute to all those who came before him, some giving their lives as test pilots. The success could not have been possible if it were not for all those who were involved in the design, manufacturing and assembly, and all things necessary to launch a spacecraft. All were American Patriots.
I was just 15 years old in 1961 and had been licensed as a Novice for 3 months. My father worked at NASA Lewis so we were very much aware of the tremendous effort being made to put a man in Space. The years that came after saw the United States fly mission after mission culminating with a lunar landing. Alan Shepard would later command Apollo 14 and pilot the lunar lander onto the surface of the moon. Alan Shepard (1923-1998) is an American Hero.
Alan Shepard, the first American in Space, May 5th, 1961. Tell your kids and grandkids about him.
73, John K8YSE
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Hi John, K8YSE
May 5th is also the Anniversary of the death in 1821 in the island of Saint Helina of His Imperial and Royal Majesty the French General Napoleon Bonaparte.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon
Along with his military career he had the merit of introducing the "Metric System" in september 1799 wich is actually officially adopted by NASA.
73" de
i8CVS Domenico
----- Original Message ----- From: "John Papay" john@papays.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2011 6:16 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Alan Shepard, First American in Space
Tomorrow, May 5th, we as Americans will celebrate the Anniversary of Alan Shepard's flight into space 50 years ago. Alan flew in a Mercury capsule on top of a Redstone Rocket. His recovery at sea was viewed by millions on live television. Alan could have been the first human to fly in space, however, delays postponed what was to be an October, 1960 launch. Safety was the concern back then as it is today. Alan actually had some control over the Mercury capsule including it's attitude. His flight was not on autopilot. He was very concerned about making a mistake as he knew everyone was depending on him. His flight was a great success and a tribute to all those who came before him, some giving their lives as test pilots. The success could not have been possible if it were not for all those who were involved in the design, manufacturing and assembly, and all things necessary to launch a spacecraft. All were American Patriots.
I was just 15 years old in 1961 and had been licensed as a Novice for 3 months. My father worked at NASA Lewis so we were very much aware of the tremendous effort being made to put a man in Space. The years that came after saw the United States fly mission after mission culminating with a lunar landing. Alan Shepard would later command Apollo 14 and pilot the lunar lander onto the surface of the moon. Alan Shepard (1923-1998) is an American Hero.
Alan Shepard, the first American in Space, May 5th, 1961. Tell your kids and grandkids about him.
73, John K8YSE
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participants (9)
-
Alvaro de Leon Romo -
B J -
i8cvs -
John Papay -
John Wingard -
Mani VU2WMY -
Ng, Peter -
Rick Tejera -
Sebastian