Jul 24 1969
From The Space Library
President Nixon welcomed returned Apollo 11 astronauts aboard U.S.S. Hornet: "I think I am the luckiest man in the world . . . not only because I have the honor to be President of the United States, but particularly because I have the privilege of speaking for so many in welcoming you back to earth." Washington had received messages from more than 100 foreign governments: "Emperors, Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Kings, have sent the most warm messages that we have ever received. They represent over 2 billion people on this earth, all of them who had the opportunity, through television, to see what you have done." Week of mission had been "the greatest week in the history of the world since the Creation, because as a result of what happened in this week, the world is bigger, infinitely, and also, as I am going to find on this trip around the world . . . as a result of what you have done, the world has never been closer together before." (PD, 8/4/69, 1032-3)
At MSC news conference following Apollo 11 splashdown, Dr. George E. Mueller, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, said: " . . we now stand at what is undoubtedly the greatest decision point in the history of this planet." Apollo 11 had proved "that man is no longer bound to the limits of the planet on which for so long he has lived. We will return to the moon first in November and then at regular intervals in the coming year. But these trips are only the first step. . . . Will we press forward to explore other planets or will we deny the opportunity to the future? To me, the choice is clear. We must take the next step.. . This is the time for decision. . . . The knowledge possessed by men is sufficient, the resources are adequate for the task of carrying out this next step. . . "In this moment of man's greatest achievement, it is timely for us to dedicate ourselves to the unfinished work so nobly begotten by three of us. To resolve that this nation, under God, will join with all men in the pursuit of the destiny of mankind will lead to the way to the planets. In answer to questions, Dr. Mueller said next major step should be manned landing on Mars which would be possible "sometime after 1980." L/G Samuel C. Phillips (USAF), Apollo Program Director, told press Apollo team was "strongest team that's ever assembled in the history of man. It has the strength of technical and engineering confidence, scientific competence, and management competence that's unexcelled. It has the dedication that's necessary to be able to tackle an almost impossible job and bring it through" and an exciting future in lunar exploration. Second manned lunar landing mission, Apollo 12, would be launched from KSC Nov. 14 toward touchdown on Site 7 in moon's Ocean of Storms. Primary objective would be to deploy Apollo lunar surface experiment package (ALSEP), explore and survey mare area, and return samples to earth. Secondary objective, if LM softlanded on target, would be to examine Surveyor III spacecraft (launched April 17, 1967), which was resting on moon near planned Apollo 12 touchdown point. Astronauts would have two periods for extravehicular activities (EVA), during which they would explore surface and conduct experiments for over three hours and walk farther away from spacecraft than had Apollo 11 crew. Maximum lunar stay time would be 28-32 hrs. Schedule called for planning to fly follow-on missions through Apollo 15 at four-month intervals and missions after that at five-month intervals. (Transcript)
USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB by Thor-Agena booster. Orbital parameters: apogee, 136.1 mi. (219 km) ; perigee, 110.6 mi (178 km) ; period, 88.4 min; and inclination, 74.9°. Satellite reentered Aug. 23. (GSFC SSR, 7/31/69; 8/31/69; Interavia AirLetter, 7/25/69, 5; Pres Rpt 70 [69] )
In nationwide reaction to safe return of Apollo 11 astronauts, New York Stock Exchange went wild though stocks continued to fall. Numbers on annunciator boards flapped in unison as message "New York Stock Exchange shares the world's joy at the safe return of Apollo from the moon-Astronauts Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins-So proudly we hail you" appeared on tape and illuminated on screen. Along Fifth Avenue church bells rang. Hayden Planetarium suspended usual program to throw "splashdown party" with champagne and live color telecast of Apollo 11 recovery operations flashed on blackened dome. San Franciscans exploded firecrackers and threw ticker tape from windows, and 10-story-high figure "11" was fashioned in lighted windows at MIT in Boston. Des Moines, Iowa, rang Liberty Bell reproduction for first time since its 1950 installation on State House grounds. In Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong's home town, Wapakoneta, Ohio, high school band March ed playing moon songs. Montclair, NJ., theater marquee read, "Congratulations Buzz Aldrin-Montclair's Man on the Moon." In Huntsville, Ala." Dr. Wernher von Braun, MSFC Director, was hoisted on shoulders of four local councilmen while thousands at MSFC site cheered and waved banners saying "Huntsville is Rocket City." City of Houston planned "Texas size" celebration for Apollo 11 astronauts Aug. 16, including ticker-tape parade and huge program in city's Astrodome coliseum. (Sloan, Weinraub, Hicks, Borders, UPI, NYT, 7/25/69, 67, 29, 69, 31, 30; B Sun, 7/25/69, 45)
Trans World Airlines filed first application with Civil Aeronautics Board for routes between earth and moon. Airline said it had received 1,200 reservations during final four days of Apollo 11 mission. (TWA Release)
Safe landing of Apollo 11 in Pacific made "splash applauded around the world," New York Times said. In U.S.S.R. TV viewers had live coverage for first time during mission as Moscow TV station hooked into Eastern Europe's Intervision network for live transmission of astronauts being deposited on carrier Hornet. Later, station devoted first two-thirds of final newscast to Apollo 11 and announced that Soviet President Nikolay V. Podgorny had sent telegram to President Nixon offering "our congratulations and best wishes to the space pilots." Soviet Academy of Sciences president Mstislav V. Keldysh called voyage "a big contribution to space exploration and further progress of world science." Cosmonauts sent message to Apollo 11 crew: "We .. . closely followed your flight. We wholeheartedly congratulate you on the completion of your wonderful journey to the moon and safe return to earth." In London Lloyd's of London's Lutine Bell tolled twice for good news of splashdown of Apollo 11. Sir Bernard Lovell, Jodrell Bank Experimental Station Director, said, "The successful conclusion of this immense project marks the beginning of a new phase when man must concern himself with the greatest issues of peaceful coexistence in extraterrestrial space." Thunderstorm in Paris drove many people off streets at time of splashdown. On Riviera, bells tolled for five minutes and ancient cannon boomed. Mayor Pascal Rossini of Ajaccio, Corsica, sent invitation to astronauts to visit Corsica during 1969 bicentennial of Napoleon's birth. In Warsaw crowd of 300 Poles broke into applause at U.S. Embassy. Over Pacific on Qantas airliner flying under Apollo reentry point, crew and 80 passengers saw space capsule reenter. In Canberra Prime Minister John Gorton invited astronauts to visit Australia. Pope Paul VI sent telegram to President Nixon with prayer "that this immense achievement may foster peace and prosperity and scientific and moral progress for all mankind." Congratulatory messages were sent by President Giuseppe Saragat of Italy, President Yahya Khan of Pakistan, Prime Minister Eisaku Sato of Japan, President Chung Hee Park of South Korea, U.N. Secretary General U Thant, President Gustav Heinemann of West Germany, and Prime Minister John Gorton of Australia. (Collier, NYT, 7/25/69, 31; Mills, B Sun, 7/25/69, A6; AP, B Sun, 7/25/69, A6)
More TV coverage of Apollo 11 mission had been transmitted overseas via satellites to worldwide audience than of any previous event, ComSatCorp announced. More than 230 hrs of satellite time for 200 programs were transmitted during nine-day mission. Previous record was 225 hrs, set by Mexico Summer Olympic Games during 18 days in October 1968. Broadcasters estimated that 500 million persons were able to watch Apollo Ws TV broadcasts in more than 40 countries on 5 continents. (ComSatCorp Release 69-46)
During stop at Hickam AFB, en route to MSC from Apollo 11 splashdown, Apollo 8 Astronaut Frank Borman said it would be "helpful and hopeful for U.S. and U.S.S.R. to cooperate in space missions. He saw "indications" during his tour of U.S.S.R. that Russians would be interested, but "talk is cheap" and U.S.S.R. "is still supplying 85 per cent of the munitions to North Vietnam." He said U.S. had gone "95 per cent of the way" toward promoting cooperation. It was up to U.S.S.R. to do the rest. (UPI, NYT, 7/26/69, 12)
USAF promoted Apollo 11 Astronaut Michael Collins to full colonel. In congratulatory message Gen. John P. McConnell, Air Force Chief of Staff, said Apollo 11 mission was "indeed a momentous achievement" and promotion was "token of appreciation for the part you played." (UPI, NYT, 7/25/69, 28)
NASA Office of Space Science and Applications announced establishment of Earth Resources Research Data Facility at MSC, containing documentation from NASA and user agency investigators in Earth Resources Survey Program over past three years. Information was available for examination in facility by all interested persons. (NASA Ann)
Rep. Louis Frey, Jr. (R-Fla.) , introduced House Joint Resolution "providing for the establishment of the Astronauts Memorial Commission to construct and erect with funds a memorial in the John F. Kennedy Space Center. . . to honor and commemorate the men who serve as astronauts in the U.S. Space Program." Measure, cosponsored by House Committee on Science and Astronautics, was referred to Committee on House Administration. (CR, 7/24/69, 116293)
VOA coverage of Apollo 11 Splashdown
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