First memory of a space program

[The Squire of Gothos]

Probably the Challenger disaster, I don't think I was really aware of any concerted effort before then, just that men did go into space from time to time.

 

[btflash]

Dating myself even further...Sputnik.

I can remember going outside and watching it go by overhead. Shinny white dot just trucking along.

I used to take my little transistor radio to grade school and listen whenever the nuns would let me. Then I'd update everyone who'd listen.

oh ... thank you. i feel better now! you dealt with the nuns too, huh? i used to keep my radio in my inside jacket pocket and ran the earphone wire down my sleeve and placed my hand on the side of my head in class , listening.

 

[Lindley]

Probably climbing around in the Apollo mockups in the Museum of Science Boston.

 

[RJDiogenes]

I'm sure their PR materials are much more sophisticated now...

You'd be surprised. I think the most sophisticated thing we have now is a paper model of Orion.

That's a shame. Good PR is really needed these days.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I think my first clear memory of the space program was the launch of Columbia.

 

[Trekker4747]

I think my first clear memory of the space program was the launch of Columbia.

Please tell me the maiden launch.

 

[thestrangequark]

Sadly, I think it was Challenger.

Me too. I was almost three, and I had a little scooter toy -- it was the Challenger -- I'd sit on it and roll around the house. I was sitting on it, watching the news with my parents, and I remember my mom crying. It is one of my earliest memories.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I think my first clear memory of the space program was the launch of Columbia.

Please tell me the maiden launch.

Yes. Why, what did you think I meant?

 

[Trekker4747]

I think my first clear memory of the space program was the launch of Columbia.

Please tell me the maiden launch.

Yes. Why, what did you think I meant?

I thought you meant when Columbia broke-up a few years ago.

 

[Squiggy]

That wasn't at launch.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Please tell me the maiden launch.

Yes. Why, what did you think I meant?

I thought you meant when Columbia broke-up a few years ago.

Didn't know your opinion of me was *that* low.

 

[Trekker4747]

That wasn't at launch.

I know. Something got lost between my eyes, my brain, and typing a response. I either thought he mis-spoke, mis-remembered, or he rembered the launch more than he remembered the break-up. I'm tired, OK!?

Yes. Why, what did you think I meant?

I thought you meant when Columbia broke-up a few years ago.

Didn't know your opinion of me was *that* low.

It's probably not as low as you think.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ No, don't be shy, admit it. If, of course, you really think I am that stupid, or callous, or both, to have my first memory of a space shuttle be its DESTRUCTION.

I mean, if nothing else, don't you remember how old I am? How fucking *likely* would it be that I would have no memories of the Columbia before it blew up? Especially given that we're all on a STAR TREK board, for fuck's sake?

 

[Trekker4747]

^ No, don't be shy, admit it. If, of course, you really think I am that stupid, or callous, or both, to have my first memory of a space shuttle be its DESTRUCTION.

I mean, if nothing else, don't you remember how old I am? How fucking *likely* would it be that I would have no memories of the Columbia before it blew up? Especially given that we're all on a STAR TREK board, for fuck's sake?

No, really, I've not a low opinion of you. You're a little overly and comically paranoid sometimes, but I like you. I can think of no real reason to not like you.

And no, alas, I've no idea how old you are. For all I know you're 20 and, yeah, the first real memory of the space program WAS Columbia's disaster. I'm sure it is for many -though, granted, for much younger people. It's this generation's Challenger.

Sorry for any offense, Baba. Honestly, man, I like you.

Don't like your paranoia over CFL's, but I like you.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

And no, alas, I've no idea how old you are. For all I know you're 20 and, yeah, the first real memory of the space program WAS Columbia's disaster.

I'm 38.

 

[Trekker4747]

And no, alas, I've no idea how old you are. For all I know you're 20 and, yeah, the first real memory of the space program WAS Columbia's disaster.

I'm 38.

Ah, well, .... Pizza?

 

[ancientone51]

In response to Mutai Sho - Rin's comment about the small, non naked eye visibility of Sputnik...my dad was big on binoculars...for sporting events, mostly.

When you said that I do recall that the Sputnik was viewed through binoculars. Probably the "trucking along" comment was mostly from the bouncing around it appeared to be doing through the lenses.

Ah, the flash backs to the details and old memories these types of threads trigger.

 

[Miss Chicken]

The first clear memory I have is of the tragic Apollo 1 fire which killed Griissom, White and Chaffee. I was just short of 9 years old when it occured.

 

[trekkiedane]

In response to Mutai Sho - Rin's comment about the small, non naked eye visibility of Sputnik...my dad was big on binoculars...for sporting events, mostly.

When you said that I do recall that the Sputnik was viewed through binoculars. Probably the "trucking along" comment was mostly from the bouncing around it appeared to be doing through the lenses.

Ah, the flash backs to the details and old memories these types of threads trigger.

Let's put this one to rest, shall we:

]The satellite itself was never brighter than magnitude 4 or 5 — on the edge of naked-eye visibility. Some instrument-equipped observers in America's "Moonwatch" program logged sightings of Sputnik, and a few private observers with binoculars and accurate visibility predictions spotted the tiny moving dot among the stars.

However, what most people — including myself — observed was Sputnik's massive carrier rocket. This boxcar-sized behemoth flashed as it tumbled end over end. During the rocket's three-month space voyage, it shone among the brightest stars in the night sky.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134276/

The Sputnik 1 rocket booster (second stage of the rocket) also reached Earth orbit and was visible from the ground at night as a first magnitude object following the satellite. Korolyov had intentionally requested reflective panels placed on the booster in order to make it so visible.[44] The satellite itself, a small but highly polished sphere, was barely visible at sixth magnitude, and thus more difficult to follow optically. Ahead of Sputnik 1 flew the third object - the payload fairing, 80cm-long cone, i.e. a little bit bigger than the satellite.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sputnik_1#Launch_and_mission

 

[Hermiod]

Sadly, I think it was Challenger.

Me too. I was almost three, and I had a little scooter toy -- it was the Challenger -- I'd sit on it and roll around the house. I was sitting on it, watching the news with my parents, and I remember my mom crying. It is one of my earliest memories.

Hey, I nearly cried when I watched a documentary about it a couple of months ago.