50 Years of Apollo Moon Missions
Exploring in the Past
The Apollo 14 Command Module, nicknamed Kitty Hawk, is on display at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. As seen during our 2019 Florida Summer Vacation.
Fifty years ago today, July 16, 1969, the Apollo 11 mission began as the [Saturn V]/categories/2019-florida-summer-vacation/) rocket lifted off from Kennedy Space Center. Apollo 11 is probably the most famous of the Apollo missions because it was the first in which men actually landed and walked on the moon. But 50 years ago today was not the beginning of the Apollo missions, nor was it the end.
There have already been several 50 year anniversaries in the Apollo program, although you probably have not heard much about them. And there will be more 50 year anniversaries to come, although you may not hear much about them either, except maybe for Apollo 13.
For example, the Apollo 14 Command Module pictured above splashed down in the ocean on February 9, 1971. Just six days before I was born. That is pretty cool, but maybe mainly just to me.
But then the whole Apollo program is pretty cool to me. I like the idea of going and exploring some faraway place. I like learning about how all of the challenges of going to the moon were conquered.
And now, I like the effort that is being started to go back to the moon again. That will be pretty cool, too. Maybe it won’t be another 50 years before that actually happens.
Exploring Our World
I very much doubt that I will ever go to the moon. First, they haven’t even started flying anyone there yet. And second, by the time that they do, I will probably be considered too old to go. If I am not already considered too old. Which I probably am.
But that is okay. I am content to let others go and tell us all that they see and do there. I am happy for others to have that opportunity, even if I do not.
However, I still like to explore where I can around us. That is why we go on trips, find new things to do, see what we can see, and enjoy the world around us. Even if we just go out in our yard instead of all the way to the moon, there is plenty around us to explore and discover. That can be pretty cool, too. If we just take the time to do it.
Just because you may not be able to do one particular thing that is great, don’t forget that there are still lots of great things all around us.
Bible Verse
All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. - Psalm 145:10-13
About the Photo
As you might can tell, the Apollo 14 Kitty Hawk was in a rather dark room with spotlights shining on it. Because of the lower lighting, I set my camera to ISO 2000 with an aperture of f/4. That gave an exposure time of 1/45 second, which was easy for a handheld photo. And fortunately, ISO 2000 did not create too much image noise, which sometimes happens with higher ISO settings on some cameras.
Photo: A single Raw exposure, processed in Luminar. Read more about photography tips, photo software, camera gear, and more at Steve’s Photography Tips.
Camera: Sony Alpha A7 II
_Lens: _ Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens
Date: June 13, 2019
Location: Kennedy Space Center, Florida
