We can repeat: the Americans regained their pride in honor of the 50th anniversary of the landing on the moon

Almost 50 years have passed since the first landingman to the moon. On July 24, 1969, the American crew of the Apollo 11 had landed for the first time in history on the surface of another celestial body. How was the preparation for this event, you can read, for example, here. By the approaching round date, the NASA aerospace agency with the smallest level of detail recreated the very flight control room, from where the outstanding mission of the first man’s landing on the Earth satellite was managed 50 years ago.

Forgotten story

Celebration of the successful landing of the Apollo 11 spacecraft on the moon July 24, 1969

This space flight control roomused by NASA staff until the early 90s. Then she was abandoned. Technology has evolved, and people moved to other, more modern premises, equipped with more modern technology. Since that time, almost no one came here.

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The idea to restore a piece of history, wheredecisions that were vital for American astronauts were taken, appeared in 2013. However, the lack of money from NASA for third-party projects has become a wall in the way of the implementation of this idea. To the question returned three years ago. Funds for the project in the amount of 5 million dollars were literally collected by the whole world. Most of the amount ($ 3.5 million) donated to the neighboring city of Webster (Texas). The remaining money was collected by private donations, as well as through the Kickstarter website.

How to restore the historic place?

For Americans, this control center is the samethe symbol of the country, as the Oval Office in the White House, from where the country is headed by the President of the United States; as the Hall of Independence, where they discussed, agreed and signed in 1776 the Declaration of Independence, as well as the US Constitution (in 1787).

During the hard work of the project organizermanaged to recreate the Apollo 11 mission control room in the smallest detail. A huge help in the project was provided by the American museums of space technology and history. They provided various things and devices that NASA used 50 years ago. What was missing was searched on eBay. It turns out that there you can really find and buy anything. Even a tyrannosaur.

Attention to detail is fantastic. Computers, monitors, buttons and switches. Everything looks like exactly 50 years ago. Even the original paint found for various panels and consoles. Restored various technical instructions and flight plans, logbooks.

Attention to detail: “Marlboro”, ashtrays, flags and cups of that era

Solemnly opened the renovated roomspace flight control Jin Kranz. 50 years ago, he led the NASA space missions, including the very historic man landing on the moon.

Gene Kranz cuts the ribbon

Krantz in the space flight control room during the Gemini mission. 1965

1975 Krantz is in charge of the Soyuz-Apollo mission, a joint project on the orbiting of the Soviet Soyuz-19 spacecraft and the American Apollo spacecraft. This is the last flight of the Apollo spacecraft.

Renovated space flight control room

At the opening ceremony, Gene Kranz barely restrained his feelings and surging memories.

“I'm just amazed. It's hard to believe until you see it yourself. I thought I was 50 years younger and wanted to work here again. ”

Today, Krantz conducts tours for high-ranking guests of the Lyndon Johnson Space Center. From July 1, the restored mission control center will be opened to the public.

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