The task was made infinitely more intense after alarms rattled the silence in the space capsule. Mission Control signaled the go ahead for landing after deciding a computer system overload tripped the alarms. But the tension increased as a glowing gauge showed 18 seconds of fuel remaining.
With just seconds of precious fuel to spare, Armstrong toggled the craft to a smooth landing on the surface of the moon. Armstrong exhaled, smiled and then radioed: "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed." It was exactly 4:18 p.m. on July 20, 1969, more than 50 years ago.
The main event began about six hours later when Armstrong, swaddled in a bulky, white spacesuit, opened the hatch of Eagle and slowly backed down a ladder. As he descended, he switched on a TV camera. At 10:56 p.m., his foot touched the surface of the moon to the cheers of millions.
This historic moment capped a eight-year-long effort by the U.S. to seize the lead in the race to space, eclipsing the Soviet Union. This was more than "One step for man, one giant leap for mankind." It was the crowning achievement of the 20th century for American ingenuity, vision and invention.
The space program ushered in a plethora of new technology, notably industrial computing which sparked the Digital Revolution. How far have we progressed? The computing power used on Apollo was two-millionths of one percent of the computing power of today's smartphones.
The space program ushered in a plethora of new technology, notably industrial computing which sparked the Digital Revolution. How far have we progressed? The computing power used on Apollo was two-millionths of one percent of the computing power of today's smartphones.
Many predicted the successful mission would jump start a heroic era of manned exploration of the Cosmos, including landing on distant planets. However, the space program suffered a run of near disasters and tragedies, including the 1986 explosion of the Challenger space shuttle.
As the years passed, what remained of NASA (National Aeronautical and Space Administration) shriveled from neglect and lack of funding. Manned space exploration was supplanted by robotic probes sent hurtling into space to glimpse the universe. Not the stuff of legendary daring feats.
America has invested so little in its space exploration that today we depend on Russia to shuttle our astronauts to service the international space station. While it's true that private investment by companies such as Space X has advanced rocket technology, government funding has fallen behind.
Meanwhile, China has stepped up efforts to dominate space travel and exploration, investing billions in infrastructure and nuclear powered rocket technology. They have unveiled plans to build manned labs both on the moon and Mars. China recently rocketed its first quantum satellite in orbit.
China became the third country after the U.S. and Russia to successfully perform a sea-based orbital launch in June, reports Reuters. A rocket carrying seven satellites blasted off from a platform on a semi-submersible barge in the Yellow Sea. The country also boasts three land-based launch sites.
Its ambitious plans include developing reusable, low-cost medium rockets along with super heavy-lift rockets expected to make their virgin flight in 2030. At the same time, China is in the process of constructing a new space station, expected to be completed about 2022.
Tens of private Chinese firms have joined the race to develop rockets capable of delivering low-cost micro satellites with commercial applications. Last month iSpace became the first privately funded Chinese firm to put satellites into orbit. In China, private and government efforts are intertwined.
China has made it clear its goal is to rule space. What will be America's response? The bipartisan political alliance behind the Apollo mission was spurred by President John F. Kennedy's speech to Congress in 1961. Can today's politicians cobble a coalition to answer China's challenge?
The sharp divisions between the political parties and the White House offer faint hope, especially when too few Americans care a wit about space exploration or China's determination to surpass the United States. It is dispiriting to watch what has happened to America's resolve to lead in space.
Unless the country awakens to the challenge, not only will the United States cede space exploration to China but our indifference will one day allow the Chinese to threaten American interests and values with a terrestrial platform to subjugate its enemies and achieve global dominance.
America has invested so little in its space exploration that today we depend on Russia to shuttle our astronauts to service the international space station. While it's true that private investment by companies such as Space X has advanced rocket technology, government funding has fallen behind.
Meanwhile, China has stepped up efforts to dominate space travel and exploration, investing billions in infrastructure and nuclear powered rocket technology. They have unveiled plans to build manned labs both on the moon and Mars. China recently rocketed its first quantum satellite in orbit.
China became the third country after the U.S. and Russia to successfully perform a sea-based orbital launch in June, reports Reuters. A rocket carrying seven satellites blasted off from a platform on a semi-submersible barge in the Yellow Sea. The country also boasts three land-based launch sites.
Its ambitious plans include developing reusable, low-cost medium rockets along with super heavy-lift rockets expected to make their virgin flight in 2030. At the same time, China is in the process of constructing a new space station, expected to be completed about 2022.
Tens of private Chinese firms have joined the race to develop rockets capable of delivering low-cost micro satellites with commercial applications. Last month iSpace became the first privately funded Chinese firm to put satellites into orbit. In China, private and government efforts are intertwined.
China has made it clear its goal is to rule space. What will be America's response? The bipartisan political alliance behind the Apollo mission was spurred by President John F. Kennedy's speech to Congress in 1961. Can today's politicians cobble a coalition to answer China's challenge?
The sharp divisions between the political parties and the White House offer faint hope, especially when too few Americans care a wit about space exploration or China's determination to surpass the United States. It is dispiriting to watch what has happened to America's resolve to lead in space.
Unless the country awakens to the challenge, not only will the United States cede space exploration to China but our indifference will one day allow the Chinese to threaten American interests and values with a terrestrial platform to subjugate its enemies and achieve global dominance.
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