Space travel and satellites, like many other things, were also in the realm of rivalry between the US and the USSR. The Russians got ahead of the Americans and launched the first satellite on October 4, 1957. It’s another story that the Americans became the Americans in the years after and are still there in the first place.
The only satellite that remains etched in everyone’s mind, despite the many advances made in satellite technology since then, is the Apollo 11 flight to the Moon. The whole world literally sat glued to the radio and television and when Neil Armstrong stepped on the Moon, the feeling on Earth was exhilarating. Who could forget hearing Armstrong’s voice proclaiming “One small step for man, one great leap for mankind”? America was especially happy. They had won the cold war … well, almost! The main purpose of the mission to land on the moon and return safely was achieved with resounding success. He also brought a variety of materials from the Moon. Experiments were carried out on seismic aspects, solar winds, lunar magnetic fields.
The ironically named Sea of ​​Tranquility was the first place to lose its tranquility on the Moon. The landing craft, the aptly named eagle descended to the moon with the first humans, or as far as we know, the first life. Buzz Aldrin became the second man to set foot on the Moon. But it was Michael Collins who orbited the command ship but did not land, so close yet so far, who was later praised for his magnanimity, discipline and sense of duty.
Apollo 11 was launched from the Kennedy Space Center. It was a massive structure 363 feet tall. The launch vehicle was called the AS-506. The vehicle was not much different from previous Apollo vehicles. The command module was 3.63 meters long. The service module was cylindrical and its length was 6.88 meters. He enabled the spacecraft with propulsion and other maneuvers. The thrusters were stored here.
The highest part was for the crew to live and also work. The bottom of the Lunar Module had the engine and storage bays. The return of the crew to the command module was facilitated by the lunar module.
After the successful mission, the crew departed and, upon reaching Earth’s atmosphere, the ship landed safely in the Pacific Ocean. The victorious crew were then taken to the USS Hornet. A mission dreamed of by all mankind, shaped by one man, President Kennedy representing all mankind and physically carried by one man, Neil Armstrong, Apollo 11 is a satellite that will always be special.
The mission spawned many stories, inspired many adventure stories and songs. On July 16, 2009, the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission was commemorated around the world. At NASA, a panel discussion called Apollo: History and Legacy was held in the James Webb Auditorium.