It's hard to believe it's been 50 years since NASA embarked on an amazing
journey in which three humans left the planet Earth for the first time to visit
another celestial body. Through coincidence and orbital mechanics this
journey would fall over Christmas time, the epic journey of Apollo 8.
'Twas t minus ten with the world looking on, three brave souls prepared an epic
journey at dawn. The rocket was stacked on the pad so precise with oxygen
billowing 'neath tanks wreathed in ice. Launch controllers were nestled at
console so, near watching temperatures, voltages, making sure all was clear.
Atop the Saturn three hundred feet high off the ground
the astronauts faced skyward, where they'd shortly be bound. Destined to fly
two parts far and unknown the first humans in history to truly leave home.
Around our neighbor they'd circle before turning back, returning home to the blue
marble, suspended in black. As the seconds tick down the rocket rumbled to life.
Millions of parts humming in a sequence so precise. The world held its breath in
awe of the site, as engines awakened and shot forth their first light.
And eruption of flame chased by incredible sound! The people of Florida
feeling quakes in the ground. Rocket left skyward as the world rejoiced, the
mission now heralded by a thundering voice. Now Borman! Now Lovell! Now Anders! Take flight!
For Kennedy! For Grissom! For Chaffee and White!
To the farthest of reaches! To the heavens beyond! Now fly away! Soar away!
Slip free the Earth's surly bonds! Mere minutes passed by three stages dropping away.
Two more hours till it's time for Houston to say, "Apollo 8. You are go TLI."
The engines roused from their slumber, toward the moon they did fly.
With stars guiding their way like explorers of old, the brave travelers
spiraled on in a "barbeque roll". Then three days later they passed out of
sight, to the far side of the Moon and an orbit just right. Around and around the
gray landscape they flew, seeing sights for humans all new. Reporting on
craters, some round some bland, so that those soon to follow would know where to
land. Four circuits complete, when to their Christmas surprise, peeking over
the horizon, a magnificent Earthrise. "There's the Earth coming up," cried Anders
enraptured. Then the snap of a shudder, and for all time history was captured.
After nine rings around the grayish bleak ball, a camera brought the world
aboard for a Christmas Eve call. While lunar vistas streamed across millions of
screens, people of this good Earth sat in thrall by that scene. They set sail for
the good Earth on their chariot of fire. Houston reporting, There is a Santa Claus,
a phrase to admire. It was then two days flight toward a globe growing in size.
Before a fiery plummet that would light up the skies. Their windows grew hazy is
the bright plasma flare, while safe in their chairs the brave explorers
prepared. A jolt of the parachutes and then a long float on down, to splash in
the ocean now home safe and sound. With an end to their journey they were
hailed heroes true. The first men in history to get so close to the moon.
Soon thereafter others would follow in line, to continue the greatest adventure
across all space and across all time.
Happy Holidays to all from NASA, and from all of us here at the Johnson Space Center.