Jul 25 1969
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (1MB PDF)
NASA launch from ETR of Intelsat-III F-5 failed to reach planned synchronous orbit when 3rd stage of Long-Tank Thrust-Augmented Thor-Delta booster malfunctioned. Satellite entered low earth orbit with 3,354.8-mi (5,399-km) apogee, 167.2-mi (269-km) perigee, 146.7-min period, and 30.3° inclination instead of elliptical orbit with 23,000- mi (37,007-km) apogee and 175-mi (281.6-km) perigee. Mission, originally scheduled for launch in October 1969, had been rescheduled for July 17 to replace Intelsat-III F-2, which had stopped operating over Atlantic June 29. Launch had been delayed for technical reasons. (NASA Release 69-119; SBD, 7/29/69, 65; GSFC SSR, 7/31/69)
Apollo 11 recovery physician, Dr. William R. Carpentier, reported from inside Mobile Quarantine Facility onboard U.S.S. Hornet that astronauts had completed preliminary medical examination and were "fine." Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong's slight ear infection had disappeared and all three astronauts were in excellent condition. (Wooten, NYT, 7/26/69, 1)
Two boxes of lunar samples from Apollo 11 arrived at Lunar Receiving Laboratory in Houston, where they would be examined and used in experiments. {Wilford, NYT, 7/26/69, 1)
Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, told news conference aboard U.S.S. Hornet he expected U.S.S.R. to land men on moon within 18 mos. "My guess is it'll be much sooner than most people think." He thought U.S.S.R. had lost race "by keeping their program so secret." U.S. had encouraged suggestions from scientists throughout non-Communist world, while details of Soviet program were known only to "small elite." Apollo 11 success would eventually lead to closer cooperation with U.S.S.R. in space exploration. "I don't look for any early change in the attitude . . . but a steady interest on their part. I don't see joint efforts but cooperation from time to time." (UPI, NYT, 7/25/69, 30)
President Nixon arrived at Guam International Airport after flight from carrier Hornet. He said, "As I stand here and think of what happened today, the completion of that historic flight to the moon and the landing on the moon, I can say that I am sure all of us-all of the American citizens around the world-are proud today of what has happened. . . ." (PD, 8/4/69, 1033)
Senate unanimously adopted S.R. 224, introduced by Sen. Michael J. Mansfield (D-Mont.) for himself and Sen. Everett M. Dirksen (R-Ill.), expressing gratitude on behalf of Senate and of all American people for "dedication, devotion, courage and effort of all associated with the Apollo Program and with the Apollo 11 mission." (CR, 7/25/69, S8575)
In telephone interview, evangelist and presidential religious adviser Billy Graham took issue with July 24 statement of President Nixon in welcoming Apollo 11 astronauts back to earth. Graham told UPI, ". . . as a Christian, I would contend that there have been three much much greater days" than those of lunar landing and moon walk. They were first Christmas, day on which Christ died, and first Easter. While he did not wish to detract from "magnificent achievement," he felt "President was speaking extemporaneously. And I've found from years of speaking extemporaneously that in the excitement and emotion of a moment, you don't think through every statement you make." Associated Press later quoted Graham as saying, "I know that President Nixon agrees that the greatest single event in history was the coming of Christ"; he was sure President Nixon meant moon walk was probably man's greatest accomplishment. (W Post, 7/26/69, A10)
Plans for proposed $1-million Neil A. Armstrong Aerospace Museum at Apollo 11 astronaut's birthplace, Wapakoneta, Ohio, called for completion in 1970, Ohio Historical Society Director Daniel R. Porter said. (UPI, W Post, 7/26/69, B7)
National and international press commented on successful completion of Apollo 11 mission: Washington Post: "It has been eight days of triumph for America, eight days of triumph for mankind. Much more will undoubtedly follow as the secrets of space bow to the advances of science. But it is enough now-more than enough for an entire lifetime when you think about it-to have seen the first men walk on the moon and then, less than four days later, to welcome them back home safely." (W Post, 7/25/69)
New York Times: "For the first time in history, men have gone from this earth to another celestial body, landed there and returned home, . even bringing back with them extraterrestrial matter. Not since the human race evolved has there been a comparable event, nor one so capable of lifting all mankind's horizons, dreams and aspirations. What was fantasy to preceding generations is now accomplished fact. The achievement will be remembered so long as civilization survives." Of President Nixon's round the world tour, Times said: "The spectacular success of Apollo 11 has vastly increased good feeling toward the United States throughout the world. The President obviously wants to capitalize on it both for foreign and domestic political purposes." (NYT, 7/25/69, 46)
Cleveland, Ohio, Plain Dealer: Apollo 11 mission "closes out one aspect of the exploration program but opens wide the door of what can be an almost endless journey. . . Although the Apollo Program is not complete, the lure of Mars, 5 million miles away, grows in bold anticipation of the future. ... the race has only just begun." (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 7/25/69)
Newport News, Va." Times Herald: "All of the money poured into the space program would appear justified if one of the side products was the kind of cooperation [with the U.S.S.R.] now possible.' (Newport News Times Herald, 7/25/69)
El Rai El Amm, Khartoum, Sudan: "America achieved a victory for the human mind by sending the first man from the earth to the moon. .. . But America, the great power that achieved this astonishing big success, must stop doing things that are far below these standards." (Am Embassy, Khartoum)
Somali News, Mogadiscio, Somali: "It is true that the responsibility for the Apollo-Eleven is entirely American, but the message left behind on the moon for posterity by the astronauts . . . acknowledges the universal aspect of such a feat. We think . . . of those courageous astronauts not . . . as Americans but as worthy representatives of the human race on whose total achievement they relied in carrying out their mighty and splendid mission." (Am Embassy, Mogadiscio)
Motion picture footage of Apollo 11 lunar landing mission would be released for sale to commercial producers after quarantine period, NASA announced. Two 600-ft rolls would be made available initially: one would include prelaunch, launch, and recovery operations; other would include all usable onboard footage. (NASA Release 69-83L)
“Leaving for the Moon” article in Life Magazine
“Man On the Moon” article in Time Magazine
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