For most people, the words "Project Apollo" bring to mind Apollo 11, and the first landing on the Moon by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin in July 1969. But it was much more than that. Apollo was the culmination of President Kennedy's 1961 vow that America would reach the Moon before the end of the 1960s. It included some six manned landings on the Lunar surface, the wrenching loss of three brave Astronauts in a fire, the first manned orbital mission to the Moon, and several test flights in Earth and Lunar orbit. There was also the near disaster that turned into the human triumph of Apollo 13.

Projects Mercury and Gemini were the necessary stepping stones to the Moon. The piloting and ground control skills needed for the Moon project were honed to perfection. The technology required for missions a quarter million miles from Earth, where there would be no rescue if things went awry, was developed first in the one man, and two man flights of Mercury and Gemini.

The benefits of Apollo include:

Humans landing on the Moon for the first time.

A total of six manned missions to land on the Moon, and bringing back a uniquely human perspective on that achievement. These 12 men carried out important scientific experiments and tasks as well.

Over 800 lbs (363 kg) of Moon rocks and soil samples returned to Earth for scientific analysis.

Six different arrays (one from each landing) of scientific intrumentation set up and activated for remote telemetric study after the crews returned to Earth.

Accumulation of much new medical knowledge and technology which benefitted millions worldwide.

Development of early solid state compact computers. This work eventually led

For most people, the words "Project Apollo" bring to mind Apollo 11, and the first landing on the Moon by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin in July 1969. But it was much more than that. Apollo was the culmination of President Kennedy's 1961 vow that America would reach the Moon before the end of the 1960s. It included some six manned landings on the Lunar surface, the wrenching loss of three brave Astronauts in a fire, the first manned orbital mission to the Moon, and several test flights in Earth and Lunar orbit. There was also the near disaster that turned into the human triumph of Apollo 13.

Projects Mercury and Gemini were the necessary stepping stones to the Moon. The piloting and ground control skills needed for the Moon project were honed to perfection. The technology required for missions a quarter million miles from Earth, where there would be no rescue if things went awry, was developed first in the one man, and two man flights of Mercury and Gemini.

The benefits of Apollo include:

Humans landing on the Moon for the first time.

A total of six manned missions to land on the Moon, and bringing back a uniquely human perspective on that achievement. These 12 men carried out important scientific experiments and tasks as well.

Over 800 lbs (363 kg) of Moon rocks and soil samples returned to Earth for scientific analysis.

Six different arrays (one from each landing) of scientific intrumentation set up and activated for remote telemetric study after the crews returned to Earth.

Accumulation of much new medical knowledge and technology which benefitted millions worldwide.

Development of early solid state compact computers. This work eventually led

For most people, the words "Project Apollo" bring to mind Apollo 11, and the first landing on the Moon by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin in July 1969. But it was much more than that. Apollo was the culmination of President Kennedy's 1961 vow that America would reach the Moon before the end of the 1960s. It included some six manned landings on the Lunar surface, the wrenching loss of three brave Astronauts in a fire, the first manned orbital mission to the Moon, and several test flights in Earth and Lunar orbit. There was also the near disaster that turned into the human triumph of Apollo 13.

Projects Mercury and Gemini were the necessary stepping stones to the Moon. The piloting and ground control skills needed for the Moon project were honed to perfection. The technology required for missions a quarter million miles from Earth, where there would be no rescue if things went awry, was developed first in the one man, and two man flights of Mercury and Gemini.

The benefits of Apollo include:

Humans landing on the Moon for the first time.

A total of six manned missions to land on the Moon, and bringing back a uniquely human perspective on that achievement. These 12 men carried out important scientific experiments and tasks as well.

Over 800 lbs (363 kg) of Moon rocks and soil samples returned to Earth for scientific analysis.

Six different arrays (one from each landing) of scientific intrumentation set up and activated for remote telemetric study after the crews returned to Earth.

Accumulation of much new medical knowledge and technology which benefitted millions worldwide.

Development of early solid state compact computers. This work eventually led

to the computer revolution of the 1980s and 90s.

Development of fuel cell technology.

And so much more in the long run. In spite of many detractors, some of whom claim that men never actually went to the Moon, there is ample hard evidence that they did. There can be no doubt that the United States Moon landing program, known as Project Apollo, was an unqualified success.

The idea that Apollo never really landed on the Moon has been making the rounds ever since 20 July, 1969.  There have always been those who pronounced the Moon landings a fake. There are several good arguments, which point to the reality of those landings, however.

Number One: of course, is the solid evidence in the form of the Moon rocks, hundreds of pounds of them, returned to Earth by the six landing missions.  The analysis of these corresponds to the material brought back by Soviet robot Landers.

Number Two: The Soviets themselves.  At that time, they were always on the lookout for anything which could be used to embarrass the US in front of the world.  They had the means to watch our Astronauts very closely, every step of the way, and they did.  Envious Cosmonauts, and Soviet space scientists observed the whole Mary Ann, intercepting all communications, tracking Apollo on their radars (when possible), and recording everything.  I am certain that had NASA faked any part of the Moon missions, the Soviets would have detected such and screamed bloody murder to the whole world.  It would have been quite a coup for them, and would have justified continuing their own Lunar landing program.  What they DID was throw in the towel, acknowledging the loss of the race.

Number Three: How about those Astronauts hopping about on the Lunar surface like they actually weighed one sixth normal. Those environment suits were HEAVY!  Had the scenes been filmed on Earth, the men would have been straining and grunting just to move a little.  Watch the footage of any landing.  Note when one of the men fell on his face.  On Earth, no way could he have righted himself without assistance.  Watch when they handle, and accidentally drop, tools and rock samples.  These also behave like they are in one sixth G.  THAT can't be faked!  At least not in 1969.  The digitalized special effects used in such films as Jurassic Park didn't exist then.

Number Four: Every one who listened in with radio receivers can tell you that the signals originated on the MOON.  That includes the Soviets, and the ham operators who claim Armstrong spoke of "huge babies" on an adjacent crater rim.  Unless there was a relay station on Luna back in '69, those men were up there.

Number Five & Last: Zero G.  On the way out, and on the way back, there were lengthy demonstrations on TV of Zero G antics by the Astronauts for the entertainment of the public.  To this day, the only way to emulate zero G on Earth, is with the "vomit comet". This is an airplane that flies a parabolic curve, coupled with a shallow dive, which releases the forces of gravity on the occupants.  This effect can only be maintained for about 30 seconds.  Our boys in space were showing us zero G stunts for many minutes at a time.  This proves that they were at least in orbit, and more likely, exactly where NASA claimed them to be. Again, any shenanigans associated with this would have been exposed quickly and gleefully by our Soviet competitors. It would have been impossible for these Astronauts to be in space, and in a sound stage simultaneously. My conclusion is that the Apollo flights to the Moon were real and factual. Case closed.

Another article on this subject, posted here at Project P.R.O.V.E. is titled "The Apollo Landings Were REAL!".

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At the end of the day, it's up to YOU to draw your own conclusions.

© 2006 Jeff Challender