Neil Armstrong, 1st man on the moon, dies.

[adorshki]

I suspect the astronauts have not been as neglected in my experience compared to yours.

Good to know. And about half-way through my post I realized you just might already have known Armstrong himself actually was the first civilian astronaut, but decided to toss out the question anyway, sly devil that you sometimes are... :lol:

NASA was, and still is, a civilian agency.

Yes, didn't mean to imply any "deep hidden secret" status, only that they work so hand in glove with the military that a lot of practical methodology is probably shared.
Hmmm....gives me a whole new insight on some of the ramifications inherent in Kantner's song "Hijack" though, as far as "national security" issues are concerned...
But that way may lie controversial and contentious discourse, so I'm done. :wink:

 

[Bikerdoc]

I was still in the Army; medical section leader in 28th Artillery Group, part of ARADCOM (Army Air Defense Command) stationed in Michigan. I went (on leave) to Louisville to visit my Dad and we watched the event together. I was totally amazed by the landing.

The computer landing sequence went down and Neil had to take the controls and land the module. What's so fascinating about that is that there is more technology in todays cell phones than there was for the entire Apollo mission. The fact that Armstrong had the skills to do what he did is astounding more so today than it was back then as we've grown so use to puters doing everything. Makes me wonder if todays space cowboys could do what Neil did.

BTW, Wapakoneta, Ohio was my home for over 30 years; up until 10 years ago when I moved just 8 miles north. It's a wonderful town with wonderful people. It's just a little bit larger than a "blink-of-an-town" but not by much. The Space Museum is a remarkable place to visit, as anitquated as it may seem by today's standards. http://www.armstrongmuseum.org/

I'm proud to say that many years ago I was the project manager of the re-roofing project around the base of the dome; an accomplishment that would've been a helluva lot easier were it not for the Ohio Historical Society inspectors. (B'crats...argghh).

A great man who did great things remained always humble. Rest well Sir.

Peace