Visit and talk by
NASA Apollo Astronaut Charlie Duke and
Mission Control Flight Director Gerry Griffin
in Canberra, May 2018
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Photo above left: Astronaut Charlie Duke. Photo above right: Gerry Griffin, Mission Control Flight Director.
Canberra, the home of one of NASA's only three deep space stations, was privileged last week (first week of May 2018) to be graced by the visit of Charlie Duke, Apollo astronaut and Gerry Griffin, NASA's Mission Control Flight Director for the Apollo missions.
Canberra, the home of one of NASA's only three deep space stations, was privileged last week (first week of May 2018) to be graced by the visit of Charlie Duke, Apollo astronaut and Gerry Griffin, NASA's Mission Control Flight Director for the Apollo missions.
Charlie Duke was the youngest man to set foot on the moon in 1972 at 36 years of age.
Astronaut Duke's memory of his experience was that it was "incredibly exciting".
He also said: “I’m standing on the moon and it’s real, but it’s like you’re in awe.”
Astronaut Duke's memory of his experience was that it was "incredibly exciting".
He also said: “I’m standing on the moon and it’s real, but it’s like you’re in awe.”
Photo above: Charlie Duke standing on the moon.
In regard to Astronaut Duke's thoughts about Mission control, he continues:
“I saw the young, talented and experienced in Mission Control do an outstanding job. I’ve always said I wouldn’t have landed on the moon if it hadn’t been from the expertise of Mission Control, they’re the unsung heroes.”
The talented technical guru and management genius Gerry Griffin was made flight director at the age of 33. Mr Griffin held the position of flight director when the now-famous call "Houston, we have a problem” came through from Apollo 13 in 1970, due to a localised explosion in an oxygen tank. Mission control ordered them back to Earth immediately. Mr Griffin also was the technical advisor for the Apollo 13 movie, starring Tom Hanks which became a blockbuster Hollywood movie.
Astronaut Duke and Mr Griffin also promoted the acclaimed documentary "Mission Control: The unsung heroes of Apollo".
The Canberra Deep Space Centre also played a crucial role in the Apollo missions, including being the first place on Earth to receive the signal from the first man who walked on the moon in 1969, relaying it to the USA for broadcasting live around the world.
In regard to Astronaut Duke's thoughts about Mission control, he continues:
“I saw the young, talented and experienced in Mission Control do an outstanding job. I’ve always said I wouldn’t have landed on the moon if it hadn’t been from the expertise of Mission Control, they’re the unsung heroes.”
The talented technical guru and management genius Gerry Griffin was made flight director at the age of 33. Mr Griffin held the position of flight director when the now-famous call "Houston, we have a problem” came through from Apollo 13 in 1970, due to a localised explosion in an oxygen tank. Mission control ordered them back to Earth immediately. Mr Griffin also was the technical advisor for the Apollo 13 movie, starring Tom Hanks which became a blockbuster Hollywood movie.
Astronaut Duke and Mr Griffin also promoted the acclaimed documentary "Mission Control: The unsung heroes of Apollo".
The Canberra Deep Space Centre also played a crucial role in the Apollo missions, including being the first place on Earth to receive the signal from the first man who walked on the moon in 1969, relaying it to the USA for broadcasting live around the world.
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Photo above:
Len Ricardo, Operations Manager sitting in a room with a view and an ear to the universe, at the NASA Deep Space Communications Centre in Canberra. It's also now official that Australia will get it's own space agency from the 1st July 2018 headquartered in Canberra, with plans for a new space launch facility in the 'Top End" Northern Territory (NT) of Australia. The achievements of NASA reflect the great accomplishments of humankind when it can use its resources, great mental abilities, collaboration and adventurous spirit to reach for the stars with great leaps of endeavour. Those who have seen the program close up, and watched space launches from the Kennedy Space Centre, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, as well as visiting one of NASA's deep space communications centres in Canberra, Australia, know firsthand of the extraordinary efforts and exciting technological marvels which NASA's work represents. Likewise, NASA continues to capture the respect and imagination of people in every country around the world due to its giant contributions to the space age for the benefit of all civilization. |
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Photo above left: Gloria Ross, RFA Director and broadcaster, pictured on the famous Daytona Beach, on the northern edge of Cape Canaveral, after attending a luncheon with former astronauts at the Kennedy Space Centre before the launch of the Endeavour Space Shuttle, which was named after the famous ship commanded by the 18th century British Explorer, Captain James Cook, the first English Captain to land in Australia.
Photo above right: Gloria Ross with one of her children in front of NASA's Space Shuttle Hangar, at the Kennedy Space Centre, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, with the fueled up and ready for action Endeavour Space Shuttle on the launch pad nearby.
Photo above right: Gloria Ross with one of her children in front of NASA's Space Shuttle Hangar, at the Kennedy Space Centre, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, with the fueled up and ready for action Endeavour Space Shuttle on the launch pad nearby.