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.