"The most important aspect of Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the surrounding influence and qualities produced by that relationship. That is all God asks us to give our attention to, and it is the one thing that is continually under attack.
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- Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest
Thursday, July 16, 2009
If you are, like me, a NASA history nerd, you might enjoy this: We Choose The Moon.
As you may know, today is the 40th anniversary of the launch of the historic Apollo 11 mission. WeChooseTheMoon.org is following the mission in real-time, minus 40 years. In other words, you can listen to the back and forth between the Apollo 11 spacecraft and mission control and track the mission progress as the mission happened, to the second, forty years ago. You can also watch videos, view photos, look at flash-renderings of the current configuration of the spacecraft, etc.
It's awesome! Today I got to listen, in "real time", to the TLI (Trans-Lunar Injection) maneuver that put the spacecraft on course for the moon. I was absolutely in Nerdvana. Listening in also makes one an audience to the more mundane moments, such as the astronauts wishing a scientist a happy birthday, or talking about what they will eat for dinner.
This Monday (minus 40 years) the Lunar Module will land in the sea of tranquility on the surface of the moon and Neil Armstrong will take that historic first step. I hope to be listening in.
[Hat tip: me]
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Comments on "We Choose The Moon":
3. Richard
- 07/17/2009 8:33 am CDT
Actually, not particularly funny. Our local "Christian" radio station has been playing the rantings of a dispensational guy, Jim Zilonka, of "Cultivate Ministries," found here: www.cultivateministries.com/about.htm
Zilonka spent the whole of last week claiming the Moon landing was a fraud perpetrated by our evil Government. Some Christians really buy into this junk.
5. Bill
- 07/17/2009 9:40 am CDT
Alright BIF!
Richard
What's so sad is that the moon landing is one of the most substantiated events in history and, considering the size and scope of the Apollo program, could only have been faked through a truly massive conspiracy involving hundreds or thousands of people. Impossible.
The moon landing is one of the greatest things ever accomplished (from a technology and effort point of view). It's sad people still persist in spreading lies about it. Jim Zilonka should be ashamed of himself. Lying is a sin.
6. Roy
- 07/17/2009 9:48 am CDT
Real time minus 40 yrs makes the date correct, but the day of the week shifted.
The date of the actual event my wife and I went to evening worship. More important than even "being there" to watch the broadcast. Had to see a rerun a few hours later....
Nonetheless, I'm: 1)disapointed that there has not been a lot more (private enterprise) lunar activity; 2)very much aware of why there is not (can't sell dusty cheese); 3) also aware that, Jesus not returning, there will be eventually. It took well over a hundred years from discovery of wind routes (Columbus' more significant feat) for the far less expensive enterprise of exploration and using of the resources of N and S America by Europeans.
9. Scott Miller
- 07/17/2009 2:53 pm CDT
The moon site is great. Thanks for sharing it.
It is cool to see the excitement in all of these videos. Then by Apollo 13 people did not even care enough to watch it on TV (until it blew a hole).
It is a shame that we never went farther with it and the general fall of science in this country. And even more so now - socialism and social programs are more important than discovery or exploration.
10. salguod
- 07/18/2009 8:41 am CDT
I heard that story about the erased tapes on NPR on Monday I think, maybe later. Did you hear why? When NASA started satellite surveillance, they were rapidly consuming magnetic tape. So, to save on tape (they didn't elaborate on if it was an actual tape shortage or a shortage of funds to buy tape), the started recording over old tapes. That's what they figure happened to it.
The moon deniers are only out wacko'd by the flat earth society. I heard an interview with one of them on talk radio probably 15 years ago. He said this (it's so wacky that I remember it verbatim):
We've checked the Earth, there is no curve.
You just can't make this stuff up. Checked the Earth, with what, the universe's longest bubble level? Slide rule? Lasers?
Leave a Comment:
Did you hear NASA "accidentally" erased the moon landing videotapes?
Yeah, today's the anniversary. If you buy The Man's story about so-called "moonwalks."
:-p