Quiz!

[VincentMcConnell]

Because he, like most of us, was able to separate his speculative thinking from his practical work.  While Michell's beliefs would have been a PR embarrassment for NASA, they apparently didn't interfere with his technical skills.  Whatever else he may have been, he did have a tremendous understanding of the LM that could serve to offset Shepard's technical deficits.  I think of this in contrast to A17, with scientist/astronaut Schmitt as the LMP, a man who had far less knowledge of engineering.

During the abort scare through PD on Apollo 14, Ed Mitchell almost reacted off of his "psychic powers". Not someone I want to be flying with.

[mako88sb]

Here's one. C.C. Williams was able to turn the tables on Wally Schirra with his constant findings of "FLR"'s. What was he referring to?

[Inanimate Carbon Rod]

Wow. I guess Shepard must have been simply untouchable as the first American (momentarily) in space.

What really got me was the story (from Guenther Wendt?) about Shepard's "joke" on someone at Cape Canaveral. He lent his car to this person who was desperate for a ride somewhere, then called the guard gate to report it stolen. He thought it funny, I thought it shockingly cruel.

Gus Grissom did something similar to Al during the Mercury program, which was mentioned in his biography. Namely, the Mercury 7 were staying in the same hotel and Gus was speeding late at night on his way back to the hotel and got followed by a cop, and upon realising this Gus parked his car outside Al's room and ran back to his own room. The cop who followed him back to the hotel checked all the cars for signs of recent use (i.e. engine warmth) and when he found the hot car outside Al's room, banged on the door and when Al answered it he arrested him for speeding.

This is the book I got it from:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gus-Grissom-Astronaut-Indiana-Biography/dp/0871951762/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339885138&sr=8-1

A rather nice, if somewhat short book, in which Gus comes across as a really nice guy.

[ka9q]

Vincent, I think you're being overly hard on Ed Mitchell. Yeah, his psychic stuff was just plain embarrassing but I can't say he didn't do his job well as LMP. And that's what counted.

Astronauts were selected for their capability to do what astronauts do. They were not selected because they were the people you'd like to be buddies with, marry your daughter, or (most famously) be really good public speakers.

Some were downright misanthropic, or guys you'd shoot on sight if they came within hundred yards of your daughter, or were absolutely terrible public speakers. Those traits weren't relevant to the job description.

[Inanimate Carbon Rod]

Ed Mitchell is my LEAST favorite Apollo astronaut. I think he's a nut-job.

At an Autographica in London in October 2011 I saw Ed Mitchell in a 30 minute  talk and he came across as distinctly odd, but likeable with it, a kind of dotty old grandpa that your parents tell you not to take too seriously.

He talked about his investigations into UFOs (they visited earth, but he hasn't seen one), psychic powers (they exist) and how he his kidney cancer was healed by teenage remote healer from Vancouver.

[Inanimate Carbon Rod]

Astronauts were selected for their capability to do what astronauts do.

Deke's philosophy in a nutshell.

[Chew]

Who smuggled the first food aboard a space flight and what was it?

[Laurel]

John Young smuggled a corned beef sandwich onto Gemini 3, but it was Wally Schirra's idea.

[Inanimate Carbon Rod]

Which Apollo astronaut flew in a LM on two separate occasions?

[Glom]

Which Apollo astronaut flew in a LM on two separate occasions?

That one's easy.  Gene Cernan.

[Echnaton]

And if you are a U.S. Netflix subscriber http://www.apollohoax.net/forum/index.php?topic=37.msg3381#new

And remember there is no stopping in the red zone.

[Inanimate Carbon Rod]

What do Apollo 10 and 11 have in common?

[Laurel]

What do Apollo 10 and 11 have in common?

None of the crew members were rookies.

[Inanimate Carbon Rod]

None of the crew members were rookies.

That's right.

[Laurel]

Gene Kranz chose one of Apollo 17's wake-up calls. What song was it?