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Joe's avatar

I can’t imagine the courage and curiosity it took to strap onto the top of a rocket full of explosive fuel and ride it into the unknown! What bravery and commitment ! Let’s not forget the men and women on the ground who made these trips possible, and those who died trying to get there. Thanks, Tara, for one great history lesson after another !

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Sika57's avatar

The Apollo rocket missions truly were an amazing feat! They put men on the moon and brought them back!! They made American proud in a time of unease during the cold war. Thanks Tara for these stories!!!

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Mark E Johnson's avatar

That mission was covered so very little! It was almost as if it were a secret mission. Thanks for the reminder, Tara!

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Justin. Hart's avatar

Space the final frontier and these 3 men got to experience it . What courage they had to sit on top of a giant rocket with millions pounds of thrust and have the thrill of a lifetime ! Great story of astronaut not being denied his dream even though measles got in the way . Thank you

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Johnny Baker Jr. MLA's avatar

With 3 dudes in a tin can ¼ million miles from Earth, losing his wedding ring could be explained and forgiven.

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David Levine's avatar

Young and Mattingly would continue on to fly on the space shuttle. Both commanded 2 space shuttle flights. Young flew on Gemini Apollo and Space Shuttle missions. 2 very good astronauts.

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Tv's avatar

🇺🇲 Sometimes it's difficult to remember the excitement the space program brought to this country. It began as an amazing adventure, with brave men charting the unknown.

But, by Apollo 13, the excitement had pretty much subsided, until the explosion and rescue reminded us, for a moment, of the dangers.

I wonder if our waning interest was because NASA made going to the moon look as risky as driving to the mall, or was it our nations short attention span, a been there, done that, what's next kind of thing. Maybe it was simply the money...

Glad I was growing up in those days. Though I do miss them, the wonder, excitement, and cohesiveness, the astronauts and their journeys brought to us.

From the Mercury 7 to today, the astronauts gave us brave, and intelligent roll models. Could use more of that today.

Thanks for the reminder, TR

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Jody's avatar

Well Happy Hump Day Tara Ross! It's a beautiful, sunny morning here in Ozark, Al! Have a great day!🌹💯🇱🇷🏴‍☠️❤️

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David K Thiel's avatar

Ken Mattingly was....is... a national treasure.

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Jim's avatar

Thanks Tara for another great TDIH 👍 those days fueled the minds of many. 😊🍎

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glenna.p's avatar

Thank you for this amazing story, Tara. Had to take a lot of courage to do what those men did!

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Harrison's avatar

Fascinating read! I’m Harrison, an ex fine dining industry line cook. My stack "The Secret Ingredient" adapts hit restaurant recipes (mostly NYC and L.A.) for easy home cooking. Dm me if interested in a recommendation swap — we’re growing fast!

check us out:

https://thesecretingredient.substack.com

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John Rowe's avatar

Great story! I never knew any of this about Apollo 16.

I was a 6-year-old boy standing on the roof of my aunt and uncle’s Buick station wagon on the side of the road to watch Apollo 16 lift off. By far the most (literally) awesome moment of my life! I can still feel it in my chest and those engines crackled in the meatiest, most satisfying way.

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James M Airesman's avatar

Thank you, Tara.

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Patty's avatar

Bits and pieces of space history that are almost forgotten with time. The Apollo rocket missions were exciting events for America. It’s amazing that so much was accomplished during those years in spite of some challenging obstacles. Mattingly was certainly determined to see his dream fulfilled. How lucky he found and was able to recapture his wedding ring. Always enjoy your space posts, Tara.

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