Man on the Moon: Nixon Library Apollo Exhibit

Before Galileo built the first complete astronomical telescope, 400 years ago, humans were nearly universally unaware of the specifics of the solar system. In fact, it was accepted the Earth was the center of the Universe and only in imagination did man fly to the Moon. Yet, in 2009, the International Year of Astronomy as designated by the United Nations, in recognition of Galileo's first telescope observations, American men walked upon the Moon. It is a time to celebrate Galileo and his scientific decedents, the astronauts and scientists and builders of the NASA lunar projects

Those of us fortunate enough to have been alive July 20, 1969, to watch a world-wide television broadcast saw Commander Neil Armstrong float down from Earth’s spacecraft, Eagle, onto the virgin surface of our Moon, enshrining man’s footprint with the words, “That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."

It was wondrous. Beyond thrilling. Heroic. As a nation it was, as President Richard Nixon later said, in a phone call to the astronauts, “…proudest day of our lives…”

As my babies slept, I, along with an estimated half a billion other persons, were privileged to experience the fulfillment of mankind’s ancient dream to touch the man in the moon. The astronauts became one with that dream and brought it home to us all.

Now we are reliving the excitement and wonder with the 40th Anniversary of the first lunar landing by Apollo 11 and its astronauts, Commander Neil Armstrong, Lunar-Module Pilot, Buzz Aldrin and Command-Module Pilot Michael Collins. There have been TV shows and print coverage galore. For those who would like a more personal review, make plans to visit The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum’s exhibit, “Man on the Moon: The Fortieth Anniversary.” Located at 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd,Yorba Linda, CA, the exhibit runs through January 30, 2010.

Like Neil Armstrong’s public persona, the Nixon exhibit is a rather unassuming low-key affair. It features a variety of artifacts – space suit, small lunar module model, moon rocks, plaques, printed documents, audio tapes and photos of the astronauts, including the iconic color photo of the three Apollo 11 astronauts. There they are – their faces radiating some indescribable secret - rendering them forever young and heroic in our imaginations. For they were our star emissaries, with their ‘satiable curiosity, to find out exactly what the Moon is made of.

The Man on the Moon exhibit features descriptive and hands-on exhibits on all six Apollo missions that reached the Moon and the one that did not, Apollo 13. Artifacts given to President Nixon from NASA astronauts from the Apollo 11 to Apollo 17 lunar missions are featured. Apollo in-flight suits and a lunar sample bag are also on display. There is also a pair of astronaut underwear with descriptions of the “waste management” features.

Four decades after the historic Moon landing we tend to forget how laden with danger these missions were. Of course, in retrospect it seemed destined to succeed. However, those involved knew nothing of the kind. They prepared, trained, tested and made the spacecraft as safe as possible...but in the end it took the courage of the astronauts of test the viability of each and every spacecraft. Anything could happen and only the dedication and skill of those 400,000 workers on the ground who built the crafts, as well as the highly competent test pilots - astronauts - in space to keep disaster at bay. Nonetheless, to be prepared in the event of a tragic circumstance for the astronauts on the Moon, a press release with statements by President Nixon was prepared ahead of time. Fortune was with the US and it was not needed. .

The typed statement, written by William Safire, dated July 18, 1969, reads in part –
“…Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace…they know there is no hope for their recovery…”

How marvelous the three space explorers were returned home to help continue the NASA missions. It wasn't only Americans who were awed by the accomplishments. Leaders from around the world send messages to the US president.

One congratulatory note, from India’s Indira Gandhi, reads in part, “July 21, 1969…all…hailing historic achievement of the United States and her astronauts…thrilled at this victory for mankind won by your country’s science and spirit of adventure…pray…for safe return.” An appropriate message - eloquent & heartfelt.

The exhibit puts the visitor into the moment of that era. One simple plaque is a heartstopper - “America’s Men in Space – Mercury Gemini Apollo - They worked together in the high adventure of exploring space, and helped make the heavens a part of man’s world.” The plaque carries the engraved signatures of the astronauts.

The astronauts’ work can be viewed as the fulfillment of every human’s desire who gazed in wonder at the heavens, making star pictures of the constellations to tell the stories of Gemini, Taurus and the other ten constellations.

Four hundred years ago the Italian astronomer, mathematician and physicist, Galileo Galilei, 1564-1643, constructed the first complete astronomical telescope (1609) which enabled Galileo to confirm Copernican theory of the solar system with the Earth orbiting the Sun. No doubt he must have known – or hoped - that someday man would create the means to fly to the Moon. For seeing is never enough. Man’s ‘satiable curiosity must find fulfillment.

It's a good time to celebrate - by Americans and the world - the astronauts 40th Anniversary of the first lunar landing as well as the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first telescope observations of the heavens. Galileo pointed the way - the astronauts followed.

The American astronauts embody the fulfillment of ancient wonderment at the heavens.

We Americans can be proud.

Contact: The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd.
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
714-983-9120
Http://www.nixonlibrary.gove
nison@archives.gov
Hours: 10-5, Mon.–Sat.;11-5, Sun.
Admission: Adults -$9.95; children age 7-11, $3.75; younger children free.
Seniors $6.95, Militaryw/ID $5.95, Student $6.95
School groups are free.Contact nixon@archives.gov.

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