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oldsoldierfadingfast

(264 posts)

20. One of the thrills of my life...

Wed Apr 1, 2026, 10:05 PM

Wednesday

was when the wife of one of NASA's top designers invited me, my son and another friend to Cape Canaveral to watch a launch. We stayed in the same motel as the wife and hubby.
The night before the launch. I went to a cocktail party attended by all the biggies except the crew (they were in quarantine). The atmosphere in that room was electric with expectation. By and large, I found all the movers and shakers to be regular, "down-to-earth" people willing to explain what was expected to happen in language I could understand and they were very attentive to my 9 y.o.
Sorry to say we had to watch the recovery on TV!
Wish I could find son's "What I Did Over Summer" report; but, I still have pictures.
I did not know about Artemis until 30 min. before launch! My, how times have changed!

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Here's something that blew my mind - [View all] cab67 Wednesday OP

This government isn't interested in promoting that kind of success story -- a diverse crew working on science for WhiskeyGrinder Wednesday #1

You nailed it here. Maru Kitteh Wednesday #2

There was a story about this on NPR earlier today. cab67 Wednesday #3

And the crew IS STILL A BLACK MAN, A WOMAN, AND ya know two white guys....... a kennedy Wednesday #4

100 percent agree! cab67 Wednesday #7

Trump Wants To Know Only If He Can Profit. If Not, PFFFFT. ColoringFool Wednesday #36

Trump will put his name on the moon base Zorro 14 hrs ago #92

I think that is why he chose tonight to give his "speech" mercuryblues Wednesday #39

I'm sorry. Gotta interrupt here to admire the "Old Colostomy" nickname. calimary 15 hrs ago #85

I stole it from John Oliver. cab67 14 hrs ago #90

That's A BINGO! NASA Is Lucky Trump Probably Didn't Know, Either! "DEI! STOP! DEI!" ColoringFool Wednesday #35

I'm old enough to remember when we had an admin who did promote/celebrate that kind of success... PunkinPi Yesterday #49

"Old Colostomy" will probably send MyOwnPeace 14 hrs ago #91

Seriously. How did DOGE miss this DEI atrocity? travelingthrulife 23 hrs ago #58

I was 8 years old when Neil Armstrong took that Phoenix61 Wednesday #5

Your grandfather was born before the first airplane took flight. cab67 Wednesday #6

My grandmother was born in 1903.... lastlib Wednesday #38

I was five. OldBaldy1701E Wednesday #29

We must be about the same age Bayard Wednesday #40

It was a wild thing. OldBaldy1701E Yesterday #50

I was in junior high school Sequoia 22 hrs ago #60

I was at a friends house airplaneman 18 hrs ago #78

Right? OldBaldy1701E 15 hrs ago #86

I was 11 ... it was "mind: blown" for me LSparkle 23 hrs ago #54

Moon walk blanket! Love it! electric_blue68 20 hrs ago #67

Oh MAN, I remember that! calimary 15 hrs ago #87

It wasn't well promoted LeftInTX Wednesday #8

I didn't hear about it until 30 minutes or so before the launch. Ms. Toad Wednesday #9

You've got a point. cab67 Wednesday #10

I agree. The lack of interest, much less excitement, is brer cat Wednesday #11

Me too. I was in grade school when all the space stuff was going on. Diamond_Dog Wednesday #41

When your future looks promising Keepthesoulalive Wednesday #43

Very good points. I am 79 so I was old enough to feel brer cat Yesterday #48

It's just not that inspiring imo. We've done it before - several times. harumph Wednesday #12

Not inspiring? cab67 Wednesday #21

So did any of them show any Figarosmom Wednesday #13

They did, in fact. cab67 Wednesday #18

I was amazed at how little coverage was aired by MSM BeneteauBum Wednesday #14

They're probably more concerned about where they're going to get money to eat littlemissmartypants Wednesday #15

Same arguments were made during the Apollo era. cab67 Wednesday #23

I'm sure the defense budget could use a little trimming. electric_blue68 19 hrs ago #72

I didn't hear about it until this morning Niagara Wednesday #16

I didn't know about it until the Daily podcast this morning. Kablooie Wednesday #17

I'm embarrassed to say I only heard about it today! It sure wasn't promoted much buy the govt or the media! LymphocyteLover Wednesday #19

One of the thrills of my life... oldsoldierfadingfast Wednesday #20

I saw the dweeby blapping TV head talking with a NASA scientist; he said the moon was 250 million miles from Earth. NBachers Wednesday #22

your loss. cab67 Wednesday #24

You do understand why I wouldn't listen to a reporter who claims the moon is 250,000,000 miles from Earth, don't you? NBachers 23 hrs ago #53

I would certainly ignore him. cab67 23 hrs ago #55

I learned about it the day before yesterday. johnp3907 Wednesday #25

A woman, a person of color and a non American. Buddyzbuddy Wednesday #26

I knew nothing about it until today LNM Wednesday #27

Been there Done that? thought crime Wednesday #28

Because in the 54 years since we were last on the moon Javaman Wednesday #30

You post reminded me of this song: johnp3907 Wednesday #31

I'm old enough to remember watching the first moon landing on TV--- Jack Valentino Wednesday #32

Because it's not on social media Diraven Wednesday #33

If Elon had had his way, there would be no Artemis II mission pat_k Wednesday #34

All of the above is true, but all secondary issues Bluetus Wednesday #37

The Apollo missions happened while the USA was deep into the Vietnam War IronLionZion Wednesday #42

Trump has spent more time on his ballroom Johonny Wednesday #44

My mom worked at NASA when I was a young girl and she would get positively emotional... Trueblue Texan Wednesday #45

Part of it is that Trmp was trying so hard to fuck over NASA and every other science program that people just didn't eppur_se_muova Wednesday #46

I'm an xennial r�is�n_dubh Wednesday #47

I'll bet their social feeds regularly contain conspiracy theories about the US faking the original 1969 landing Ponietz Yesterday #51

This was true for the chat feed on NASA's broadcast yesterday. cab67 23 hrs ago #57

At this point in history, in my view, we really can't afford space entertainment. NNadir Yesterday #52

I respectfully disagree. cab67 23 hrs ago #56

While I respect your opinion, we need to channel our scientific resourses more wisely. NNadir 22 hrs ago #59

Kids in your classes grew up with Star Trek and Star Wars movies, plus a lot of other SciFi FakeNoose 21 hrs ago #61

I was 12 for the start of (original run of) Star Trek... electric_blue68 19 hrs ago #71

I was draft bait when Apollo 11 landed on the Moon and It was on my peripheral. JohnnyRingo 21 hrs ago #62

I live close to the Fl northeast coast. Fla Dem 21 hrs ago #63

I saw a shuttle launch from the beach in 2008 (?) progressoid 20 hrs ago #66

There was a lot of shit happening during the Apollo missions too ThoughtCriminal 20 hrs ago #64

Like too much .. its a show... Mustellus 20 hrs ago #65

I certainly appreciate robotics, but we still need the Human Experience. We are often explorers. electric_blue68 19 hrs ago #68

The US is failing miserably on science. Historic NY 19 hrs ago #69

I knew about it, idk, a few weeks back. Very excited it's happening. electric_blue68 19 hrs ago #70

Apollo 11 landed on evolves 18 hrs ago #73

Guess they dont "follow" NASA on social media. IcyPeas 18 hrs ago #74

I watched the launch yesterday 49jim 18 hrs ago #75

When the Soviet Union successfully orbited Sputnik... hunter 18 hrs ago #76

Great OP malaise 18 hrs ago #77

My son was born on June 6, 1969. Bumbles 18 hrs ago #79

Have always supported a robust space program, but I have some sympathy for the lack of interest right now in Artemis. Martin68 17 hrs ago #80

I was a freshman in HS and watching AKwannabe 17 hrs ago #81

first year in college for me. cab67 14 hrs ago #89

Message auto-removed Name removed 17 hrs ago #82

Welcome to Costco. I love you. Moostache 16 hrs ago #83

It is worse that than. drray23 16 hrs ago #84

Here is my theory ... aggiesal 15 hrs ago #88

Could it be a lack of curiosity in kids these days? Due to so much info being thrown in their faces everyday? nt Exp 14 hrs ago #93

Are they running from ICE?Worried about paying for the next semester?Working a job and attending class? Scalded Nun 13 hrs ago #94

I did mention it before launch. cab67 12 hrs ago #96

I agree with what you wrote, but personally babylonsister 12 hrs ago #95

I understand the "so much need" argument. cab67 12 hrs ago #97