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My personal moment of pride
Posted on 7/17/19 at 9:46 am
Posted on 7/17/19 at 9:46 am
50 years ago my dad, an Auburn Engineer, was part of the team at Marshall Space Flight Center that placed a man on the moon. I got to actually watch the Apollo 11 launch at Cape Kennedy. There were thousands who worked on Apollo, a lot of Auburn Engineers and a lot from other places also.
And for those that don’t know, there is an Auburn Flag on the moon that was taken there by Ken Mattingly on Apollo 16. It was designed by an Auburn Art Professor.
And for those that don’t know, there is an Auburn Flag on the moon that was taken there by Ken Mattingly on Apollo 16. It was designed by an Auburn Art Professor.
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Posted on 7/17/19 at 9:48 am to Auburn80
actual cool story bro. 
Posted on 7/17/19 at 9:48 am to Auburn80
Thought the flag thing wasnt confirmed? I mean Auburn has graduated a shite ton of astronauts so it's extremely plausible.
I'm genuinely curious if that was confirmed. Seemed to be a legend more than a fact.
From AL.com
I'm genuinely curious if that was confirmed. Seemed to be a legend more than a fact.
From AL.com
quote:
However, the man thought to be behind the flag-planting, Ken Mattingly, never left Apollo 16 for a moon walk.
According to a 2011 story on the New York Times online, "A set of 10 small blue-and-orange flags accompanied the Auburn graduate Thomas (Kenneth) Mattingly, known as T.K., on Apollo 16 nearly 40 years ago. Duties kept him on board while two colleagues went on a crater-strewn walk. Auburn lore maintains that one of those colleagues — John W. Young and Charlie Duke — deposited a flag on the lunar surface ... But myth may have blended with fact, and the consensus is that all flags stayed confined to the capsule."
This post was edited on 7/17/19 at 9:51 am
Posted on 7/17/19 at 9:52 am to Auburn80
quote:
I got to actually watch the Apollo 11 launch at Cape Kennedy.
Doesn't get better than that! Neat story!
Posted on 7/17/19 at 9:54 am to Auburn80
Very cool!
Posted on 7/17/19 at 9:55 am to GeauxTigerNation
I’m sure there are several flags up there. Astronauts snuck all kinds of things with them. Heck, Shepard hid a golf club and ball. Anyway, I’m getting the shirt.
Auburn Flag
Auburn Flag
Posted on 7/17/19 at 9:55 am to GeauxTigerNation
I think Mattingly confirmed it later in an article. Auburn also is the only school where the entire crew was made up grads from one school.
Posted on 7/17/19 at 9:56 am to GeauxTigerNation
The Appolo moon landing is a fascinating piece of American history.
President Nixon actually had a speech already typed out for live tv just in case something catastrophic occurred. Thank goodness it was a success & loved our American flag being placed there. That sentiment would probably draw protest if done in present times which is sad.
President Nixon actually had a speech already typed out for live tv just in case something catastrophic occurred. Thank goodness it was a success & loved our American flag being placed there. That sentiment would probably draw protest if done in present times which is sad.
Posted on 7/17/19 at 9:59 am to Auburn80
Either way, it's pretty cool.
College pride is what makes CFB the greatest sport on earth. You wont find a close second
College pride is what makes CFB the greatest sport on earth. You wont find a close second
Posted on 7/17/19 at 10:15 am to Auburn80
nm
This post was edited on 8/19/20 at 8:29 pm
Posted on 7/17/19 at 10:46 am to DawgsLife
quote:
My personal moment of pride
Great story Dude. I know your proud of your Dad.
This post was edited on 7/17/19 at 10:50 am
Posted on 7/17/19 at 11:18 am to Irons Puppet
quote:
I think Mattingly confirmed it later in an article. Auburn also is the only school where the entire crew was made up grads from one school.
No Apollo mission was made up of a crew of nothing but au grads
Posted on 7/17/19 at 11:21 am to Auburn80
Ken Mattingly was played by Gary Sinese in Apollo 13. He was originally supposed to be on that mission but was scrubbed at the last minute. Mattingly did fly on Apollo 16 though and was the Command Module pilot. He didnt set foot on the moon.
Posted on 7/17/19 at 11:22 am to StopRobot
quote:
No Apollo mission was made up of a crew of nothing but au grads
Space Shuttle.
Posted on 7/17/19 at 11:23 am to Irons Puppet
quote:I had no idea the entire Apollo crew were all AU grads. WOW!
I think Mattingly confirmed it later in an article. Auburn also is the only school where the entire crew was made up grads from one school.
Why doesn't Auburn brag about that more, market that shite to the hilt?
Edit: nevermind, I see this isn't true
This post was edited on 7/17/19 at 11:26 am
Posted on 7/17/19 at 11:23 am to StopRobot
quote:
No Apollo mission was made up of a crew of nothing but au grads
Only one Auburn grad was in an Apollo mission(in space) AU has had 6 total, with one never reaching space
Posted on 7/17/19 at 11:24 am to Irons Puppet
quote:
Space Shuttle.
no, but I believe there was one with two grads
ETA Shuttle Mission 4 had two grads as the pilots, rest of the crew were not AU grads. Only duplicate mission
This post was edited on 7/17/19 at 11:29 am
Posted on 7/17/19 at 11:25 am to Irons Puppet
quote:
Space Shuttle.
Ah got ya.
Posted on 7/17/19 at 11:27 am to Auburn80
quote:
I got to actually watch the Apollo 11 launch at Cape Kennedy.
Do you remember exactly where you watched it from? CNN did a special on Apollo 11 a few weeks back and there was a TON of archival footage of the crowds in the stands. You might be in there
Posted on 7/17/19 at 11:28 am to StopRobot
Cool story though. You should be proud indeed.
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