Apollo/Saturn V Launch

Since this is my first post, please let me introduce myself – I am a “rocket scientist” whose fingerprints are on the moon in 6 locations.  How did that happen?

As a young engineer just out of college, I was employed by NASA at the Kennedy Space Center just 7 months before Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and William Anders in Apollo 8 circled the moon on Christmas Eve and safely returned to earth. Part of my duties as an engineer on the Saturn V, S-IVB third-stage was to participate in the Launch Countdown Closeout Walk-Around approximately 24 hours before launch inside the stage inspecting the area for anything out of place.

The Lunar Module sat on top of the S-IVB stage with its four landing legs folded against the top of the stage, and during the walk-around I would purposely touch the ladder attached to one of the Lunar Module legs.  Therefore my fingerprints are on all 6 successful Apollo moon landings!  Even if the vacuum of space obliterates fingerprints; touching each of those six ladders still remains a high, lifetime experience for me.

I love space exploration!  Initially, I wanted to be an Astronomer. When Sputnik was launched in 1957, my love changed to “rockets” like the Redstone, Jupiter, and Atlas.  I wanted to help launch rockets for space exploration and to go to the moon!  I got my engineering degree and worked at the Kennedy Space Center for 26 years on Apollo, Skylab, Apollo-Soyuz, and Space Shuttle programs.

Some people, who are not familiar with Astronomy, may think of it as “science” and “boring;” however, discovering and interpreting new data that exposes the fact the original “Big Bang Theory” is wrong without a period of “Inflation” being added.  This addition, which is necessary for the theory to be a possible explanation for creation of the known universe, is “exciting” Astronomy.

Also some people may think of Space Exploration as “exciting”, thanks to Star Trek; however, developing, creating, and placing special greenhouses on Mars to grow food for colonies is awesome also!  I think of both Astronomy and Space Exploration as “Great Adventures” for us to engage for continued discovering!!!

Four areas that really intrigue me are:

• Current Mind-Blowing Space Exploration Discoveries!
• Plans for Future Technology Break-Throughs
• Plans for Future Human Colonies on Mars
• Past Space Exploration Accomplishments and Fun Facts About Them

In my following posts, I hope we can discuss subjects from each of these areas in order to learn and share new ideas.  Thanks for reading, and I hope you and I may discuss Space Exploration in person someday!  Until then, please post comments.

Also, what is a “rocket scientist”?  Is there such a thing as a “rocket scientist”, or are they really “engineers?”  Let me know your thoughts!