Despite the now 50 years of the space race, only 24 men have left Earth orbit on a journey to another world. Between 1968 and 1972, nine Apollo missions went to the moon. Of the 24 men, 3 went twice and 12 landed on the lunar surface. Of those 12, only 9 remain and one of them, Edgar Mitchell, will be visiting Yorkshire next week.
Edgar Mitchell was the Lunar module pilot of Apollo 14, the first Apollo mission after the unsuccessful Apollo 13. The crew of Apollo 14 included Alan Shepard and Stuart Roosa both have since died.
This is the fifth astronaut that has come to Pontefract, a visit arranged predominantly with the sole effort of Ken Willoughby. The evening of Friday April 16th at 19:15 is the formal event but a smaller select group will meet for dinner on Thursday 15th, tickets are currently available for both days. Download this document for all the details including Ken’s telephone number.
A short additional presentation on the Bloodhound SSC will open the evening event on Friday 16th.
Who is coming next year? Preparations are in the early stages but one of the following
Ken Mattingley
Hi
I think its just great that these special guys can take the time and trouble of coming to the uk.I have been a follower of the american space effort since the late 60’s as most of my generation ave been i guess (im 53).
Could i ask you to forward me any information on future visits as i am very keen to meet at least one of the astronauts and shake their hand to thank them for waht they did on behalf of all of us.
Thanks
Tony,
I share your sentiment.
A time will come soon when none of them are around so making some effort in meeting them is worth it.
A video of his hour long presentation is available <a href "https://astrotalkuk.org/2010/07/26/dr-edgar-mitchell-apollo-14/" here
Charlie Duke is visiting Scotland in Septemer more <a href="http://www.walkwithdestiny.com/" here
Gurbir
Tony,
I share your sentiment.
A time will come soon when none of them are around so making some effort in meeting them is worth it.
A video of his hour long presentation is available See https://astrotalkuk.org/2010/07/26/dr-edgar-mitchell-apollo-14/
Charlie Duke is visiting Scotland in Septemer. See http://www.walkwithdestiny.com/
Gurbir
Re Your request in the Manchester Evening News for memories of the visit from astronaut Yuri Gagarin .
I was a pupil at Yew Tree Comprehensive School at the time of the visit. The sports field backed onto Princess Parkway at Wythenshawe. The pupils had been forbidden to go out to see this great man, there were prefects on the gates to make sure no one went out. Some of us decided to go anyway as we had found a way through the hedge onto the Parkway. We saw the ride past along with hundreds of others. We then had to return to school,where we of course got into trouble. I cant remember what happened to us but it cant have been too severe or I would remember. The headmaster was a Dr Davies and he was very progressive for the time, the school being only the 2nd comprehensive in Manchester so it was probably only a talking to.
The school no longer exists.
I was also at Yew Tree Comprehensive School at the same time Doreen Williams, then Aldred, was present. I distinctly remember cheering Yuri Gagarin much to the displeasure of the headmaster, Dr W E Davies.I recall the headmaster being very annoyed with us at morning assembly the following day, though I don’t think any of us regretted being in a bit of trouble, it was a piece of history in the making.