APOLLO 11 launch 40th Anniversary

On this day 40 years ago, Neil Armstrong, Mike Collins, and Buzz Aldrin set off from the launch pad in Cape Canaveral Florida on a two day trip to the Moon.

These three men, two former Navy test pilots and one Air Force combat pilot, would orbit the Earth one and a half times before igniting their propulsion rockets, sending them on a course to intercept the Moon. On July 20th, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on a celestial body other than Earth. For two days, Mike Collins circled the Moon, alone, losing radio contact with Earth and the astronauts on the Moon every time he passed "behind" the Moon for 27 minutes at a time.
Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong touched down on the Lunar surface inside the Lunar Module, code-named Eagle. Below is a photograph of Buzz Aldrin and the Lunar Lander, taken by Neil Armstrong.

It is hard to believe that it has been 40 years since humanity first touched another celestial body. -FUPPETS- hopes we go back and beyond, for it is in exploration that humanity achieves it's greatest successes.

Here, for your pleasure, is NASA footage of the Apollo 11 launch. Enjoy and think about what a momentous occasion it was. It was the greatest moment in human history.

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin Speaks at the MFAH This Friday

-FUPPETS- has long admired the men and women who have travelled away from Earth's gravity well and outside of the tenuous atmosphere that humans require to live. The few humans who have travelled to the Moon, and the even fewer number that actually touched down on that desolate ball of rock, are some of the greatest heroes that humanity has ever known. Their exploration ignited the world, and showed what humans are truly capable of. To think they did this without a single microprocessor aboard their vehicles or suits is astounding. They did everything with transistors!
This Friday, July 10 2009, one of those men, Edwin Eugene "Buzz" Aldrin Jr., will be speaking at The Museum of Fine Arts - Houston. Buzz Aldrin has co-authored a book recounting,

America´s historic initial moon landing — from takeoff to splashdown — and the two decades of Aldrin´s profound personal struggle that followed. - ( MFAH )

The book is titled MAGNIFICENT DESOLATION: The Long Journey Home from the Moon. The cover appears below.

-FUPPETS- is highly excited and anticipates a mind-blowing evening. Houston's own Ernie Manouse will be leading the conversation. The event is open to the public, is FREE, and doors open at 6:00 PM. Seating and admission is first come, first serve. The talk begins at 7:00 PM. For more information, contact the Museum of Fine Arts - Houston at 713-639-7360.

This iconic image of Buzz Aldrin was taken by Neil Armstrong, who can be seen in Aldrin's visor's reflection. Click the image to enlarge.

Here are a couple of recent interviews with Buzz Aldrin, the second human to ever touch the Lunar surface.

Moon Walker Buzz Aldrin: Time to Settle on Mars Approaching the 40th anniversary of his historic walk on the moon, Buzz Aldrin talks about the state of space exploration and his new memoir, "Magnificent Desolation." - ( Wall Street Journal )

The Man on the Moon: Questions for Buzz Aldrin - ( The New York Times )

(Below is an image of astronaut Aldrin's footprint on the Lunar surface, taken by him on July 20, 1969)

Outer Space Piss Recycler Runs Afoul

As profiled previously on -FUPPETS- , The International Space Station is doubling it's full-time crew next year and to get ready for it, they are adding more living space and a second bathroom, as well as installing a system by which any excess water in the air and in the astronauts' waste will be recycled. This system was supposed to work at around 90% efficiency, allowing for longer stays and keeping the shuttle from being burdened by bringing water for the astronauts and cosmonauts that inhabit the station. The Space Shuttles bring water as a by-product of their electrical systems. This water is then bagged up by the astronauts and used for their drinking and washing. Since the shuttle will stop flying in two years, a quality urine processing machine had to be installed.

After installing the new urine filtration system they have had several glitches, and the machine is not working up to the standards expected. A centrifuge used in the distillation process stops functioning after a few hours. This is crucial and needs to be addressed. Samples of the water have been collected and will be taken back to Earth to be analyzed. Potable water is a crucial step in ensuring the success of an expanded crew aboard the space station.

ASTRONAUTS VOTE FROM SPACE

There are always different systems set up to allow for U.S.A. citizens to vote when they are not in their home districts. There are early voting campaigns for people who will be out of town on election day. There are voting booths set up for the military personnel who are stationed out of the country. There are a couple of Americans however, who are very very far away from any polling place and have to do something extraordinary to cast their vote.

Commander Edward Michael Fincke and Flight Engineer and Science Officer Greg Chamitoff are living and working onboard the International Space Station. Though they are 220 miles above Earth and orbiting at 17,500 miles per hour, they will still be able to participate in the upcoming election. A 1997 bill passed by Texas legislators sets up a technical procedure for astronauts -- nearly all of whom live in Houston -- to vote from space. (Science Daily)

The Harris & Brazoria County Clerk's Office created a secure ballot which is uplinked to the astronauts from NASA's Johnson Space Center Mission Control. The E-mails are encrypted with crew-member specific details so as to ensure proper voting and anonimity.

That's some pretty bad-ass shit there. There is no reason not to vote except for your own laziness, ineptitude, or callous disinterest. With so many astronauts living in Houston it is kick-ass that the County Clerk's Office has seen fit to ensure that these people's votes are counted. Space is the place.