Apollo 11 Celebration

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the splashdown of Apollo 11. In true JSC community style, they hosted a big bash to commerate the big event. The program boasted hot dogs (the Apollo astronauts favorite food, as it was one of few that tasted 'normal') and moon pies, with speeches from several Apollo 11 engineers, new administrator Charlie Bolden, and the first two men on the moon.

The ceremony began at 7:00, so we arrived at 6:20, thinking we'd be plenty early. This was the scene we saw upon arrival:

If you look close, you'll see Space Center Houston way in the back left.

This was the line behind us, stretching all the way to Saturn Lane.

It was a pleasant evening, and we honestly didn't stand outside very long. Sadly, there was no way we had made it early enough to actually get a seat, so we stood during the speeches. It was worth every second of standing though!

Gene Kranz, my hero.


My camera didn't want to take this picture at all, but from left to right: Glynn Lunney, Gene Kranz, Chris Kraft, Gerald Griffin, and George Abbey. Five awesome men!

Neil Armstrong

Buzz Aldrin (the man should run for president...he's got some fab ideas!)

We also enjoyed yummy chili dogs and moon pies and listened to the Rockit Scientists band, which is composed of astronauts.

Isaac 'landed' the shuttle.

Here's to going back soon and then on to Mars!!