Apollo 11

Since many events, concerning the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Landing and Safe Return from the moon, are being celebrated this week, I feel this short film is worthy of mention. And, what better method of MENTION, is there than YOU TUBE?


This film is unique in that it has been misplaced for 39 and 1/2 years; found only 6 months ago. It would be totally surprising that any other copies exist.


The film is coverage of the re-entry of Apollo 11, upon it's return from the moon, and was made at approximately 12:25 EDT 25 July 1969, by USAF Col. Oakley Baron and his crew, in a photo equipped US Air Force C-135 (Boeing 707) aircraft at 43,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean.




What is first seen is a single faint light of the Command module (and the attached Service Module), just above the horizon, coming from the West. The pair get brighter with each passing second. Then the Service module ( per procedures) is separated from the Command module and two white lights are seen for a short while. The non heat shielded Service Module soon disintegrates into a flaming fire ball, sending burning material in all directions , which turns night into day momentarily. The Command Module, is then seen to continue on, as a diminishing light, in an easterly direction, and a not too distant, highly successful, splash down; Man had been on the moon and safely returned, as per orders of President John Kennedy, approximately 7 years earlier.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• apollo
• 11
• a11
• space
• shuttle