Especially for those of us that grew up during the space race, NASA has a special place in our heart. Yes, I remember the first named flight by Russian Yuri Gagarin, the first US flight by Alan Shepard, and obviously the ones that followed. They were big news events – and I recall our grade school class stopping to watch the televised launches. From Mercury to Gemini, to Apollo missions the wonderful space shuttle, and countless satellite programs, NASA has taken us to the heavens.
Today, the shuttle program is retired, the Russians transport the astronauts to/from the International Space Station, and satellite launches in this country is now by private business. Nonetheless, the Johnson Space Center in Houston is still operating, thus this video made by smile and laugh. Cheers to two space geeks who visit here, Alex and John.
A Frank Angle 
A very odd feeling, to be both amused and appalled at the same time.
I remember gathering around the tvs in grade school to watch the first Space Shuttle go up.
Hope Johnson lives on…
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Guapo,
Interesting how pop culture seeps into the unsuspected! Good that you have the first shuttle launch as a memory. I recall the first shuttle test flight …. it was strapped on to of a 747, let go, and glided back. Check it out – here’s the video. Regarding the future, see Alex’s comment. Thanks for commenting.
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i can only remember back to the apollo missions. when we landed on the moon, i was lucky enough to be home sick from school and watched that on tv. however, big however, i will NEVER forget sending away cereal box tops for a model of the lunar module and command module that i was so excited to build, and i never got those little bastards. still pisses me off today.
damn you, battle creek, michigan!!
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Rich,
I can tell that the cereal company snafu still stings. Now the pressure – do you recall which moon landing you stayed home from school (due to sickness, of course)? Thanks for sharing childhood memories.
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i think it was the one in ’72. that was december, and i’m pretty sure it was winter. also, the one in 72 was on my mother’s birthday, so i wouldn’t be surprised if that was a bonus for her to keep me home.
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Very good … thanks for sharing!
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thanks for spurring the memories.
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Oh. my God! What a RIOT! 😀 The wife and I were watching, and giggling on and off throughout the whole thing! Thanks, buddy, that was a heck of a laugh! 😀
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John,
I knew this would cause you to smile … and I’m glad you shared it with Tamy as well. Thanks for commenting.
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Yes I recall it well. Remember the first moon walk. The space program was very much in our family. My brother in law worked at McDonnell Douglas and became friends with astronaut Pete Conrad who was a private consultant tragically killed in a motorcycle accident a few years back). Strange huh he risked his life in space and lost it here on earth.
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Kellie,
Wow … what an awesome connection to the space age. As an Ohioan, I have a connection with John Glenn and Neil Armstrong – but can’t say that I have a close friend or relative that knows/knew either. Thanks for sharing the interesting tidbit about Pete Conrad.
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Cute vid. I hate to see it close. I have watched Stennis close more days per week over the last few years and I hate it. My youngest children are just getting old enough to appreciate going. I could devolve into a scientific flaming puddle if left to my own devices, but I am not sure what day the maid comes here.
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Red,
I guess this means you are in southern Mississippi … well, I enjoy knowing the location of visitors. Maybe the space program will get a boost in the future, thus a good thing for employment in your area. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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No, I am in
the third circle of hellSouth Carolina. Home is Louisiana, and I have this habit of commuting…a lot.LikeLike
Oh … that’s right … I recall the map!
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We were sent home from school the day men landed in the moon so we could watch it on TV. I remember it well.
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Debra,
Glad this triggered that memory for you. Interesting how some events are truly global! Thanks for commenting.
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Awesome! So much better than the original 🙂
My vintage is space shuttle time… We visited Cape Canaveral a few years back and that was awesome. It would have been something to actually watch a rocket launch live …
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There was nothing more exciting than seeing Rocket Launches. I have lived within 30 Miles of Kennedy Space Center since 1978., Saw many from accross the River about 5 Miles way from the site and have been on the grounds about 2 1/2 Miles for smaller launches
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I’m envious in the best possible way! Wow, what great memories 🙂
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Larry,
Oh my my …. I’m sure I’m not the only one envious of where you live. Thanks for sharing!!!
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Kanerva,
Glad you enjoyed this. You’re one up on me because I haven’t visited Cape Canaveral and their museum, which I’m confident would be wonderful. Always wanted to see a shuttle launch, but sadly, never made the effort.
BTW – Please stop by my holiday event on the 24th! Thanks for commenting.
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Those were the days! Great video find 🙂
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Fasab,
The glory days of the space flights was interesting to live through. But, as Alex wrote, NASA will live on! Thanks for commenting.
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nice videos….thanks for the amazing post
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Swalia,
Welcome first-time commenter. Currently, the mood is light here and hope it will remain so during the holiday period. Normally, topics are wide ranging. Hope you return and thanks for commenting.
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I may have enjoyed science more if it was taught this way.
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TBM,
Teaching science has a reason for its methods and madness. Unfortunately, most science teachers never have used it – but I promise not to get on that soapbox! Glad you enjoyed the video & thanks for commenting.
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One of the most impressive things about NASA, in a rather lengthy list of impressive things, is its ability to adapt and evolve.The ending of the Shuttle Mission was a necessary part of that evolution, and JSC continues to play a major role in the overall on going process. Though there were large cuts after the ending of the Shuttle Mission, these cuts were agency-wide and were anticipated and adjustments made. While there was a tremendous amount which was learned from the Shuttle program and which continues to be learned, my hope is that NASA is looking at manned missions beyond low Earth orbit. Space exploration has always, and always will, involve international space agencies and the private sector. To me this is very exciting. I do agree that we should have a sense of proud nostalgia towards all we’ve accomplished, I certainly roll around in that nostalgia myself, however it should never over shadow the thrill, excitement, and anticipation of all which we will continue to accomplish.
Hilarious video Frank, of course I’ll have to dissect it ….and will probably steal it!
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Alex,
I stumbled across this video yesterday. Besides knowing I had to use it, also thought of you (thus the message) – but wondering if the song is stuck in your head.
Many thanks for your take on NASA and JSC. You see a positive and exciting future, which is good. Thanks for sharing & hope you drop by for my holiday gathering starting sometime during the evening of the 23rd.
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Of course it’s stuck in my head. Not quite as much as ‘crane lower that rover’, but give it time. 😉
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Glad I was able to achieve that status again. Meanwhile, you are up and at ’em early today.
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I am up and at ’em early every day. 😉
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🙂 … On second or third cup?
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2nd 😀
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🙂 … and how many cups on a normal day?
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Never more than 3, well…. rarely more than 3. 😉
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LOL
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I am as always saddened when we throw away our future, as we have done by shutting down the shuttle program. This was well worth a giggle, even though I hate to giggle at it.
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Val,
I know what you mean, but for a positive spin, see the comment from space-enthusiast Alex. Thanks for commenting.
PS: Reminder – Christmas Eve party here (actually starting during the evening of the 23rd).
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Loved it. Thank you.
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SDS,
Cheers to your enjoyment … and thanks for commenting.
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Very cute video…I remember being on Coco beach for a vacation in the late ’80’s and seeing a launch happen…quite a sight. Not something a Canadian can say every day.
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Kayjai,
Wow … a shuttle launch or another rocket launch? Either way, great that you saw one – sadly (for me), you’re one up on me. 😉 Thanks for stopping by.
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Thanks for your post and the entertaining video supporting NASA. I have long been been a fan of space flight and I greatly enjoy watching the NASA Channel on cable TV.
Recently I was caught by surprise during an interview on the NASA Channel with a NASA official who was asked what types of scientific experiments were being conducted on the International Space Station. He answered that ISS projects are now almost totally centered on testing the equipment, life support systems, and medical research needed for future manned and unmanned spaceflight. He pointed out that this can only be done in a weightless environment, and under deep space conditions where bombardment by solar radiation and encounters with meteorite particles are a constant.
I had always been under the impression that the main reason for the ISS was to improve life on earth – better computers, better medicine, better high tech clothing, better orange juice. All of that has happened and will continue, but now NASA and the countries participating in the ISS project are working feverishly to make sure man can explore space far beyond low earth orbit and trips to the moon.
I’m grateful for the decision NASA and Congress made to retire the outdated space shuttle and team with Russia to sustain the ISS project. That took political courage, and the NASA Channel shows in detail the success of Russians and Americans working together. My hope is that this partnership will be looked back on in history as the way mankind got to the stars, and learned to live together on earth.
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Tim,
Thanks so much for sharing so many of your thoughts. Space exploration is done in tiny steps with the occasional relative leap. Nonetheless, the cumulative effect leads us somewhere. Where it will be in 150 years, we don’t know. But wherever, the tiny steps of today were part of the journey. Thanks for commenting and sharing your insight.
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Frank I have never been in favor for all this space shuttles – because I personal think that we should use our money on earth instead. All in favor to satellites for communications – great thing but to send out people to the space and other planets … NO! We need better schools, hospitals, food and water on earth first of all – because we can never live on another planet anyway. And the money it cost us and of course US first of all. We should look at what our world needs first of all, because charity starts at home – when we have sorted out what need here .. we can look at what is out there.
Still I enjoyed the video with the shuttle have sex or what ever ist was doing on the back of the other plane and your post. I’m really a miserable person aren’t I ????
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Viveka,
It’s ok to have descending opinions. To me, part of human nature is the quest for knowledge. Thanks to the Hubble Telescope, maintained by shuttle crews, I’ve learned to stand in awe at the wonders of universe of afar. Besides, research in one area eventually migrates to other areas that serve humanity. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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Frank, I understand that some good has come out from all those trips they done – but still … we should focus what we can do for mother earth first – because she really need some Love, Car and Tenderness ‘smile
Thanks for being so understanding *smile
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The guys in blue are hilarious.
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Doggy,
Glad this brought you some smiles. Thanks for stopping by!
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That was great! Thanks for sharing. I like the astronaut in blue joining in at the end. This would be a great one for kids to see!
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Bumble,
This was meant to cause smiles, and it seems to have met the challenge! Let me know what the kids think. Thanks for commenting.
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Everything should be put to Gangnam Style at least once. Or Johnson style…
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Carrie,
It sure seems to be the craze of the season. Thanks for visiting.
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No thanks, Carrie. I had my turn, in German World War 2 uniform, doing the Macarena. It was NOT pretty…. 😀
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Oh, but it sounds fun! 😉
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Well, a couple of my friends didn’t think so, but then again, they were gifted with something I’ve always lacked – a sense of self-respect. 😉
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John …. I sight that I’m happy to say I didn’t see.
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Gosh, I loved those Nasa launches as a kid. It’s the end of era, isn’t it? Wonder what it means that we’re even privatizing space travel. Weird, when you think about it.
Hugs,
Kathy
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Kathy,
I imagine there’s a new frontier – thus I tend to like Alex’s comment as she sees the future. Thanks for visiting.
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I’m so glad that I have lived through the space age. Every take off and landing has been so thrilling to watch. Great video, but it made me tired just watching those dancers. 🙂
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Paradise,
For sure, quite the thrill …. and quite the sinking heart in the few tragic events as well. Glad you enjoyed the dancing from JSC. Thanks for visiting.
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I remember the adults were excited about a man on the moon. It meant we got to watch it on tv at school.
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Cuttlefish,
Glad to know this triggered memories. Thanks for commenting.
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In grade school they used to gather us all in the auditorium so we could watch the Gemini and Apollo launches on the school’s one color TV. And staying up late to watch the first moon walk, oh my!!
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Wyrd,
Ah yes … the days when schools had one television in the building … that really weren’t very big. But, a good example of how we appreciated space travel. Thanks for commenting.
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