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Apollo

Space Mentions At The July 4th Extravaganza

By Keith Cowing
NASA Watch
July 4, 2019
Filed under
Space Mentions At The July 4th Extravaganza

A Boost for Trump’s Ego Is a Loss for America’s National Parks, Washington Post
“Separately, according to two individuals familiar with the matter, the White House was negotiating with Park Service officials over whether to project an image from the 1969 Apollo 11 moon mission onto the Washington Monument for the event. Typically the agency does not allow projected images on monuments or historic structures, on the grounds that they should be preserved in their original form.”
Larger image of what an Apollo 11 tribute on the Washington monument might look like.
Keith’s note: During the event the President introduced heads of the branches of the military including the Space Force – even though Congress changed its name to the Space Corps. He also said “We have with us the renowned NASA flight director Gene Kranz. We are going to be back on the Moon soon and will plant the American flag on the face of Mars. Its happening Gene – its happening”. A few minutes later he gave John Glenn a shout out. He then mentioned fighter pilots Chuck Yeager, Buzz Aldrin and Gus Grissom.

NASA Watch founder, Explorers Club Fellow, ex-NASA, Away Teams, Journalist, Space & Astrobiology, Lapsed climber.

24 responses to “Space Mentions At The July 4th Extravaganza”

  1. ThomasLMatula says:
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    The Park Service needs to loosen up, it’s not like it’s going to damage it. And as a historical event it’s probably more important than building the Washington Monument was.

    • Mal Reynolds says:
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      Get ready for laser projections / viral photos of political memes. And graffiti drones with remote control spray cans of paint.

      • ThomasLMatula says:
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        So a Saturn V is now political? Who knew.

        • Tom McIvor says:
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          It is when displayed at an event that is very clearly, at least to us non-MAGA folks, a Trump political rally that just happens to take place on the fourth of July in DC.

          • ThomasLMatula says:
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            Nonsense! The Fourth of July has been celebrated with parades and fireworks since the nation was founded. Just because President Trump happens to be President doesn’t make it a political rally. Really, it’s that type of attitude by the Democrats that will probably cost them the next election. And there is nothing wrong with celebrating America achievements in space like Apollo 11. Which BTW was the accomplishment of an Democratic Administration.

    • fcrary says:
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      It’s a cool idea, although I might argue that the appropriate date would be the 20th, not the 4th. But, no. This one has to go on my list along with depicting a living person on US currency or stamps. I wouldn’t mind in this case, and I agree it isn’t political (although doing it on the 4th does go against that “for all mankind” business…) But if this is ok, it won’t be long until someone wants to project something else on a national monument. And that might be political, or inappropriate in some other way. And then we get into a pointless argument over whether or not that’s different, or just following a precedent. I don’t think it’s worth going there.

      • moon2mars says:
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        Yes but America did this!
        In the words of Neil Armstrong on July 23, 1969:
        The responsibility for this flight lies first with history and with the giants of science who have preceded this effort; next with the American people, who have, through their will, indicated their desire; next with four administrations and their Congresses, for implementing that will; and then, with the agency and industry teams that built our spacecraft, the Saturn, the Columbia, the Eagle, and the little EMU, the spacesuit and backpack that was our small spacecraft out on the lunar surface. We would like to give special thanks to all those Americans who built the spacecraft; who did the construction, design, the tests, and put their hearts and all their abilities into those craft. To those people tonight, we give a special thank you, and to all the other people that are listening and watching tonight, God bless you. Good night from Apollo 11.”

      • ThomasLMatula says:
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        Given that the landing of Apollo 11 represented the victory of a free people over those enslaved by a dictatrorship, the very essence of the meaning of the 4th of July, I would think it would be very appropriate to celebrate it.

        • Tom McIvor says:
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          Apollo was an achievement for all humanity. “We came in peace for all mankind.”

          And I think many black and LGBTQ Americans at that time would take issue with you calling it a victory of a “free people”.

          • ThomasLMatula says:
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            America is not perfect, but it’s strives to do better. And it is well to remember it was the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights that led to their eventual freedom. Both were history changing foundational documents in how nations are governed and the rights of individuals living in those nations. All you have to do is look at the conditions of blacks and LGBTQ in other parts of the world, parts like the former Soviet Union, both during the same era and today.

            As for slavery, it is well to remember it was part of nearly every culture on Earth since the Neolithic until the abolition movement began in Western Europe following the emergence of the Iberian slave trade in the 1400’s. BTW care to guess what nation was the last to abolish it, and the year? Also care to guess when the last slaves in America were freed and where. Both might surprise you.

  2. MAGA_Ken says:
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    I like it.

  3. Michael Spencer says:
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    Before anyone asks, the answer is emphatically “No!”

    No, nothing is sacred anymore.

    • fcrary says:
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      It’s not quite that bad. We didn’t do it much in the US, but after the Paris Attacks of November, 13, 2015, people were projecting the French flag on all sorts of national monuments. In Berlin, they projected the tricolors on the Brandenburg Gate. In Rio de Janeiro, they projected it on that big statue of Christ the Redeemer (which, strictly speaking, could be regarded as sacred.) I don’t remember anyone complaining about that. (Ok. maybe it didn’t make the international news, and AfD probably had a problem with mixed messages, but even so…)

      I know you could say that was different, but someone else could say only by degree. And you could say we have to draw the line somewhere, but that leaves open the question of where to draw it. I’m reluctantly against this idea, but I had to think about it for a while.

    • ThomasLMatula says:
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      You do know that the White House, which is part of President’s Park run by the NPS, had colors projected on it during the Obama Administration? How is the Washington Monument any different?

      https://www.youtube.com/wat

      • Tom McIvor says:
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        You claim to be all for freedom and civil liberties, I am surprised you would take issue with a one-time marking of the fact that all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation, were now allowed to marry the person they loved after well over two centuries of being denied that right.

        • ThomasLMatula says:
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          No, I never implied that so don’t make false claims I did. What I am surprised is that it was considered OK to project an image on a national monument to honor that historic moment, but it’s not OK to do so to honor the equally historic Apollo 11 landing. So tell me why it is OK to honor one and not honor the other?

  4. Winner says:
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    How tacky is that?

  5. Bob Mahoney says:
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    You mean “Lighten up, Francis.”

  6. David Fowler says:
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    Well, the Senate bill is Space Force, and the House bill is Space Corps. We’ll see what shakes out after they negotiate the differences in the two pieces of legislation. Regardless, it won’t be a separate service until it gets signed into law.

  7. tutiger87 says:
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    All talk. And political buffoonery.

    Where’s the money?

    • ThomasLMatula says:
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      Under the control of the Congress as the Founders of the Republic intended.

  8. ThomasLMatula says:
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    Looks like the Air & Space Museum will be projecting the Saturn V on the Washington Monument.Get your cameras ready!

    https://www.wusa9.com/artic

    Air and Space Museum to project 363-foot Saturn V rocket at Washington Monument

    An out-of-this world experience you won’t want to miss.

    Author: WUSA Staff

    Published: 2:22 PM EDT July 9, 2019

    Updated: 4:37 PM EDT July 9, 2019