Has recruitment of the new US Space Force begun? I am curious to see their uniforms and space tanks. That’s assuming they will actually venture into space.
Apollo 50th
I can read about this Apollo 11 and Space Program stuff all day long!
Thanks everyone for your stories and contributions.
Is there still any Millennial “Haters” who still doubt we went at all? 
Also, I saw a program last night that also mentioned that there was a parallel mission sent by Russia… UNMANNED… but tried to go (launched just days before the USA launch on July 16th, 1969), land, extract rocks/dust and return… all scheduled to beat the timing of the Americans.
The ship is presumed to have crashed on the Lunar surface.
Funny that I wasn’t aware of ever hearing about it until now.
They did show footage of broadcasters discussing this as news in 1969 - but it seems the Russians were more secretive about releasing details of their mission.
Could it be they were pessimistic about the outcome and thus, more protective to release news?
I wonder if Russians were aware and as engaged in following their country’s attempt in '69?
I am also amazed that the astronauts themselves only gave themselves about 50% (2-1 odds) to return safely… and while they accepted the risk freely, their concern was not wanting to tarnish the USA politically with a failed attempt that would also cripple the Space Program too.
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Actually, Neil Armstrong was asked what he thought about all the conspiracy folks that believe that the Apollo mission was faked in Hollywood. He famously replied: “I don’t worry about it, because I know that eventually, someone will go back to the moon and they’ll find my camera that I dropped onto the lunar surface”. Apparently, the Apollo Astronauts only kept the film and dumped anything with extra weight before blasting off the lunar surface. Interesting thought from the first man on the moon!
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I don’t know what’s more troubling, the people who think the moon landing is fake, or those who believe the movie “The Martian” is based on a true story.
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You CAN’T be serious…
I wish I wasn’t. I’ve seen posts like these.
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Even more weird… if it is the same people!
Ah… those Conspiricy Theorists are quite a group!
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I can’t see how people think “The Martian” is based on a true story. It isn’t a documentary like my favorite Mars movie: “Mars attacks!”
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I’ve got no time for the moon conspiracy theorists. I’m sorry but they annoy me so much. They make claims without any knowledge at all. One person today wrote that the moon landing was a hoax because who filmed Neil coming down the ladder! 
Then soon as you explain about how Neil opened the swing down camera as he came down the ladder, they come up with another ridiculous claim!
The only thing I find a hoax is that these people actually have a brain. 
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On a lighter note… Do you think we should send @BanjoBen to the moon in 2024? First Banjo played on the moon. 
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No way, we need banjo Ben to stay down to earth
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Well I know Ben likes flying but he would probably think that’s a little too far I guess
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Which brings up the eternal question…
If a banjo is played on the Lunar surface, would it make a sound (lunar surface has no true atmosphere - only an exosphere of thin gases)?
Inquiring minds want to know…
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My follow up question then is. . are there no acoustic-electric-guitar type banjos to convert vibrations to electric pulses to be able to be heard by the banjoist astronaut or to be recorded?
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I dunno… But I imagine the finger picks and chord fingerings have GOT to be a real Bugger with those gloves on!
Gold tone has made a couple different models
Ron Block has a pretty swanky banjo/tele. I saw it on Instagram, not sure if you can find it elsewhere?
Chandrayaan-2 (India moon mission 2) live at 5:13 am US Eastern on 07/22 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f_HxuVHfrw
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I will gladly serve my country and sit right seat on a moon mission!
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