Somehow, "the Tesla has wings" just doesn't convey the same gravitas...
Chasing the Moon (American Experience, pbs)... npr... nyt... NYker...
ELON MUSK: Apollo 11 landing on the moon was probably the most inspiring thing in history. And one of the most universally good things in history. People can debate whether this or that is good but I think, just the level of inspiration that that provided to the people of Earth was incredible. And it certainly inspired me. And I think everyone at SpaceX. I'm not sure SpaceX would exist if not for Apollo 11... (interview continues)
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SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on the next giant leap for mankind cbsn.ws/30Nka4e pic.twitter.com/xtqaT2OCFT
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ALMOST unique...For a brief shining moment we transcended the nationalism (and fear of the USSR) that launched the moonshot in the first place. Fifty years on, we've regressed. https://t.co/zSqbiGsGuO— Phil Oliver (@OSOPHER) July 20, 2019
The Apollo 11 mission patch:— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) July 20, 2019
No American flag.
No space hardware.
No Astronaut names.
In that regard, unique among space emblems.
Affirmation that walking on the Moon was an achievement of the human species, to be shared by all. pic.twitter.com/Fw7Y7EWR1m
If interested, every thought I’ve ever had about our past, present, and future in space.— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) July 20, 2019
“Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier” [Book: 384 pgs]https://t.co/PiQrL8ct9D pic.twitter.com/GzSJYi3ca4
The moon, it turns out, is a great place for men. One-sixth gravity must be a lot of fun, and when Armstrong and Aldrin went into their bouncy little dance, like two happy children, it was a moment not only of triumph but of gaiety. The moon, on the other hand, is a poor place for flags. Ours looked stiff and awkward, trying to float on the breeze that does not blow. (There must be a lesson here somewhere.) It is traditional, of course, for explorers to plant the flag, but it struck us, as we watched with awe and admiration and pride, that our two fellows were universal men, not national men, and should have been equipped accordingly. Like every great river and every great sea, the moon belongs to none and belongs to all. It still holds the key to madness, still controls the tides that lap on shores everywhere, still guards the lovers who kiss in every land under no banner but the sky. What a pity that in our moment of triumph we did not forswear the familiar Iwo Jima scene and plant instead a device acceptable to all: a limp white handkerchief, perhaps, symbol of the common cold, which, like the moon, affects us all, unites us all.
—E.B. White Jy '69
🗣️ There's something we think you should know.— NASA (@NASA) July 19, 2019
Scroll back down to read the first word of each tweet that we've shared this morning to celebrate the #Apollo50th anniversary. The world experienced these powerful words 50 years ago. pic.twitter.com/q7EpNlTVjy
I never heard of the plaque on the moon. I was only taught about the placement of the flag. I’m glad you posted a picture of it. It is definitely more important then the flag and hope for the future on earth.
ReplyDeleteAnd in fact, it expresses the dominant sentiment felt by many at the time-even Nixon, as he told the astronauts in his "most historic phone call"... though of course it was nationalism that first launched the program. I'm sure it's not the sentiment that has Trump proposing Space Force and a return to the moon.
ReplyDeleteOf course, the patch does feature an eagle.
ReplyDelete