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To the Moon!
Author: BobR Date: 07/17/2009 12:24:43

I am a person of a certain age. Other people my age know what I'm talking about. We were alive and remember things that happened in the past that other people only know from history books. We remember 8-track tapes, we watched the Jackson 5 animated TV show, and we remember watching the moon landing on TV. "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind..."

How disappointing, then, to find out that NASA "taped over" the data tapes containing the original footage of the moon landing:

NASA could put a man on the moon but didn't have the sense to keep the original video of the live TV transmission.

In an embarrassing acknowledgment, the space agency said Thursday that it must have erased the Apollo 11 moon footage years ago so that it could reuse the videotape.
[...]
Nafzger said a huge search that began three years ago for the old moon tapes led to the "inescapable conclusion" that 45 tapes of Apollo 11 video were erased and reused. His report on that will come out in a few weeks.

The original videos beamed to Earth were stored on giant reels of tape that each contained 15 minutes of video, along with other data from the moon. In the 1970s and '80s, NASA had a shortage of the tapes, so it erased about 200,000 of them and reused them.

How did NASA end up looking like a bumbling husband taping over his wedding video with the Super Bowl?

Nafzger, who was in charge of the live TV recordings back in the Apollo years, said they were mostly thought of as data tapes. It wasn't his job to preserve history, he said, just to make sure the footage worked.

:thud:

Why would it be important to keep the original tapes? As I heard recently on a news story about this, the video that was received from the moon was in a "proprietary format" that was not usable for broadcast. This required that the data be converted. The conversion process resulted in poor quality images; from the article:

Back in 1969, nearly 40 percent of the picture quality was lost converting from one video format used on the moon — called slow scan — to something that could be played on TVs on Earth, Nafzger said.

Since the original tapes can't be accessed, NASA is turning to Hollywood to enhance the video quality:

The studio wizards who restored "Casablanca" are digitally sharpening and cleaning up the ghostly, grainy footage of the moon landing, making it even better than what TV viewers saw on July 20, 1969. They are doing it by working from four copies that NASA scrounged from around the world.

"There's nothing being created; there's nothing being manufactured," said NASA senior engineer Dick Nafzger, who is in charge of the project. "You can now see the detail that's coming out."

The first batch of restored footage was released just in time for the 40th anniversary of the "one giant leap for mankind," and some of the details seem new because of their sharpness. Originally, astronaut Neil Armstrong's face visor was too fuzzy to be seen clearly. The upgraded video of Earth's first moonwalker shows the visor and a reflection in it.

Naturally, this will make the conspiracy theorists' heads explode. Not only are we sharpening the video to include things not there, but the loss of the original video means all proof is gone. (To get a better understanding of why (and how) people think the landing video was faked, check out MythBusters take on it).

But perhaps all proof is not gone. A new lunar orbiter will be taking detailed pictures of the landing site:

NASA's sharp-eyed Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is gearing up to look down on the Apollo 11 landing site – the location of the first human foray to the moon 40 years ago this month.

Along with carrying out lunar science jobs, the moon-circling probe in coming days, weeks and months will photograph selected lunar targets, zooming in on a short list of Apollo landing locales to see the final resting spots of robotic spacecraft, moon buggy tracks and crashed rocket stages, SPACE.com has learned.

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is already on duty and using its LRO Camera, dubbed LROC for short.

I am looking forward to seeing these photos. Will it quell the conspiracy theorists? Of course not - they'll simply claim THESE photos are fake too. I say: let the heathens rage. They cannot tarnish my memory of sitting in front of a crappy black & white TV, clutching my model rocket, and watching Neil Armstrong step out of the lunar lander and into history.

From Tranquility Base - over.

69 comments (Latest Comment: 07/18/2009 03:11:20 by Raine)
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Comment by

wickedpam on 07/17/2009 12:52:19

Morning :hug:

Okay I was only 2 when this part of history happened but I do remember my Nana having a commerative still from the landing and seeing it in the closet on day when i was helping her look for something. It sparked a bit of an interest for me in space and the moon.

Comment by

TriSec on 07/17/2009 13:08:01

Morning, Comrades!

And how are we all in this glorious workers' paradise today?

(jeez, ya know commies have jobs today. Where did we mess up?)

Comment by

Scoopster on 07/17/2009 13:13:36

Mornin' all & Happy Fridee! I've got a treat for ya today..

Comment by

wickedpam on 07/17/2009 13:20:18

Is that a Shane-O production? :lol:

Comment by

starling310 on 07/17/2009 13:28:39

Yikes!

Black Chamber of Commerce CEO rips Boxer.

Comment by

wickedpam on 07/17/2009 13:35:36

Giant squid in San Diego? Comic Con goer's better watch out next week :)

Comment by

Scoopster on 07/17/2009 13:39:22

GDIT.. FUCKING BLUE DOGS ARE GUTTING EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE

Comment by

TriSec on 07/17/2009 14:01:52

I'm wondering today am I the only one that finds it ironic that the "Strategies for Creating Succesful Work Relationships" seminar is being conducted via Webex?

Comment by

Raine on 07/17/2009 14:13:39

Good morning! :coffee:

Comment by

Raine on 07/17/2009 14:15:27

Quote by Scoopster:

GDIT.. FUCKING BLUE DOGS ARE GUTTING EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE

Damnit.

Comment by

BobR on 07/17/2009 14:29:05

Just noticed on one of the job boards I go to that AIG is hiring.

Think I'll keep looking...

Comment by

Raine on 07/17/2009 14:33:07

Quote by starling310:

Yikes!

Black Chamber of Commerce CEO rips Boxer.

:star: I was having a hard time getting the video to play, so I went to see if there was a youtube version of this. The guy seemed a bit doushy. I was only to the part where he said she was being *racialist*.

I was quite surprised at WHERE I found the video. Now I know why she was asking him where he lived.

JimInhofePressOffice

July 16, 2009

Black Chamber of Commerce President Harry Alford's heated exchange with Senator Boxer in a question and answer during today's July 16, 2009 Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing.

Senator Inhofe invited Mr. Alford to discuss a Charles River Associates study the Chamber commissioned to examine the devastating economic impact of global warming cap-and trade legislation. Learn more at epw.senate.gov/inhofe

Comment by

Scoopster on 07/17/2009 15:03:13

The "Healthy Forests Initiative" is dead. GOOD.

Comment by

Scoopster on 07/17/2009 15:19:44

Oh gawd...

Comment by

wickedpam on 07/17/2009 15:29:04

whoa. :thud:

Comment by

Raine on 07/17/2009 15:32:53

Quote by Scoopster:

The "Healthy Forests Initiative" is dead. GOOD.

Comment by

Raine on 07/17/2009 15:33:33

Quote by wickedpam:

whoa. :thud:

I concur!

Scoop, that is a stunner!

Comment by

livingonli on 07/17/2009 15:36:20

A belated good morning to everyone. I had to shift to the living room and the laptop since that's where the A/C is.

Comment by

Raine on 07/17/2009 15:38:31

Jimmy Carter Quit the Southern Baptist Convention!

{snip} So my decision to sever my ties with the Southern Baptist Convention, after six decades, was painful and difficult. It was, however, an unavoidable decision when the convention's leaders, quoting a few carefully selected Bible verses and claiming that Eve was created second to Adam and was responsible for original sin, ordained that women must be "subservient" to their husbands and prohibited from serving as deacons, pastors or chaplains in the military service.

This view that women are somehow inferior to men is not restricted to one religion or belief. Women are prevented from playing a full and equal role in many faiths. Nor, tragically, does its influence stop at the walls of the church, mosque, synagogue or temple. This discrimination, unjustifiably attributed to a Higher Authority, has provided a reason or excuse for the deprivation of women's equal rights across the world for centuries.

Comment by

m-hadley on 07/17/2009 15:46:09

Quote by Raine:

Quote by starling310:

Yikes!

Black Chamber of Commerce CEO rips Boxer.

:star: I was having a hard time getting the video to play, so I went to see if there was a youtube version of this. The guy seemed a bit doushy. I was only to the part where he said she was being *racialist*.

I was quite surprised at WHERE I found the video. Now I know why she was asking him where he lived.

JimInhofePressOffice

July 16, 2009

Black Chamber of Commerce President Harry Alford's heated exchange with Senator Boxer in a question and answer during today's July 16, 2009 Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing.

Senator Inhofe invited Mr. Alford to discuss a Charles River Associates study the Chamber commissioned to examine the devastating economic impact of global warming cap-and trade legislation. Learn more at epw.senate.gov/inhofe

Effing Inhofe - I guess J. C. Watts wasn't available :rage:

Thanks for sharing this Star and Raine ! :D

Cheers,

mfaye

& :peace:

Comment by

Raine on 07/17/2009 16:00:23

This has to stop. Now.

Comment by

wickedpam on 07/17/2009 16:04:19

Quote by Raine:

This has to stop. Now.

okay that was startling - I looked way while it was loading and actually did a double take when i looked back :thud:

Comment by

Raine on 07/17/2009 16:04:59

Another Obama Victim? Pope fractures wrist....

Comment by

Scoopster on 07/17/2009 16:07:03

Quote by Raine:

Another Obama Victim? Pope fractures wrist....

Yearite.. how long til the "secret muslim" shit starts up again?

Comment by

Mondobubba on 07/17/2009 16:47:18

Quote by Raine:

This has to stop. Now.

Oh, no. No. No. No!

Comment by

Raine on 07/17/2009 16:50:30

How Apple.com would have looked back in 1983, if it had a website.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 07/17/2009 16:54:31

Quote by Scoopster:

Mornin' all & Happy Fridee! I've got a treat for ya today..

A treat? Scoop why are making my ears bleed with Dave Effing Matthews?

Compare and contrast. The master at work from Live Rust.

Comment by

TriSec on 07/17/2009 17:15:53

Oh, there's some extra av-dorkiness in the air today...

1938: Wrong-Way Corrigan

1996: TWA Flight 800

And space program, too...

1975: Apollo-Soyuz

We now return you to your regularly scheduled blogging.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 07/17/2009 17:20:47

What We Really See as GOP Senators Question Sotomayor

A tip o' the hat to MGM for this gem

Comment by

wickedpam on 07/17/2009 17:24:49

Quote by Mondobubba:

What We Really See as GOP Senators Question Sotomayor

A tip o' the hat to MGM for this gem

*80's style slow

get to feet for standing ovation

*

MGM we miss ya :hug:

Comment by

clintster on 07/17/2009 17:44:33

And some extra-special bonus AV-dorkery:

Apollo XI-July 17, 1969

8:48 a.m.- Mission Control gives Apollo crew a brief review of the morning news, including sports developments. They are informed about the progress of the Russian space ship Lunar 15 and that Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, ranking government official at the Apollo 11 blastoff, has called for putting a man on Mars by the year 2000.

12:17 p.m.- Midcourse correction is made with a three-second burn, sharpening the course of the spacecraft and testing the engine that must get them in and out of lunar orbit.

7:31 p.m.- Astronauts begin first scheduled color telecast from spacecraft, showing view of the Earth from a distance of about 128,000 nautical miles. During the 36-minute transmission, views are also shown of the inside of the command module.

9:42 p.m.- Mission control bids the crew goodnight.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 07/17/2009 18:02:39

Quote by clintster:

And some extra-special bonus AV-dorkery:

Apollo XI-July 17, 1969

8:48 a.m.- Mission Control gives Apollo crew a brief review of the morning news, including sports developments. They are informed about the progress of the Russian space ship Lunar 15 and that Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, ranking government official at the Apollo 11 blastoff, has called for putting a man on Mars by the year 2000.

12:17 p.m.- Midcourse correction is made with a three-second burn, sharpening the course of the spacecraft and testing the engine that must get them in and out of lunar orbit.

7:31 p.m.- Astronauts begin first scheduled color telecast from spacecraft, showing view of the Earth from a distance of about 128,000 nautical miles. During the 36-minute transmission, views are also shown of the inside of the command module.

9:42 p.m.- Mission control bids the crew goodnight.

Listen to all the radio traffic in real time. How is that for av-dorkery?

Comment by

Will in Chicago on 07/17/2009 18:03:13

Excellent post, BobR!

I was only four years old when the first Moon landing happened, but I grew up having a strong interest in space and science. (I wanted to be an astronaut as a kid, but my eyesight and the fact that I get sick on carnival rides convinced me that it would likely not work out.)

I think that the Apollo program showed what this country can achieve when we have a national purpose and apply the necessary resources. My hope is that we can have similar successes with challenges in our own time and will have the wisdom and courage not to rest on our laurels.

Comment by

clintster on 07/17/2009 18:06:16

Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by clintster:

And some extra-special bonus AV-dorkery:

Apollo XI-July 17, 1969

8:48 a.m.- Mission Control gives Apollo crew a brief review of the morning news, including sports developments. They are informed about the progress of the Russian space ship Lunar 15 and that Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, ranking government official at the Apollo 11 blastoff, has called for putting a man on Mars by the year 2000.

12:17 p.m.- Midcourse correction is made with a three-second burn, sharpening the course of the spacecraft and testing the engine that must get them in and out of lunar orbit.

7:31 p.m.- Astronauts begin first scheduled color telecast from spacecraft, showing view of the Earth from a distance of about 128,000 nautical miles. During the 36-minute transmission, views are also shown of the inside of the command module.

9:42 p.m.- Mission control bids the crew goodnight.

Listen to all the radio traffic in real time. How is that for av-dorkery?

Out

Stand

Ing!

Comment by

clintster on 07/17/2009 18:08:00

Bobber, would you place this into the banner for the next few days?

http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/Images/StarChild/solar_system_level1/moon.gif

Comment by

Mondobubba on 07/17/2009 18:10:56

Bad things are going down in section 60 of Arlington

Comment by

Will in Chicago on 07/17/2009 18:14:38

This song seems appropriate for today's blog:

The Whole of the Moon by the Waterboys

The cover of the Whole of the Moon by Little Caesar.

Comment by

wickedpam on 07/17/2009 18:24:57

Quote by Mondobubba:

Bad things are going down in section 60 of Arlington

my Grandparents are buried in Arlington - we've always been told that you can't leave anything other then freshcut flowers - anything else will just be thrown out by the grounds keepers when they mow

Comment by

TriSec on 07/17/2009 18:29:14

Quote by wickedpam:

my Grandparents are buried in Arlington - we've always been told that you can't leave anything other then freshcut flowers - anything else will just be thrown out by the grounds keepers when they mow

sitting here not knowing what to type. My connection to veterans is sketchy at best; only here via "Ask a Vet". Yet I feel a certain kinship and stewardship for them...

I read the first 3 paragraphs then I had to stop. My hands are shaking.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 07/17/2009 18:33:27

Quote by TriSec:

Quote by wickedpam:

my Grandparents are buried in Arlington - we've always been told that you can't leave anything other then freshcut flowers - anything else will just be thrown out by the grounds keepers when they mow

sitting here not knowing what to type. My connection to veterans is sketchy at best; only here via "Ask a Vet". Yet I feel a certain kinship and stewardship for them...

I read the first 3 paragraphs then I had to stop. My hands are shaking.

Read the first article as well, Tri. The dude who is in charge day to day at Arlington seems to be a bit of a douche nozzle.

Comment by

TriSec on 07/17/2009 19:08:55

Well, I still have summer hours. Heading for home in a few. TTFN!

:sprint:

Comment by

Scoopster on 07/17/2009 19:28:14

i sweepy.. :sleeping:

Comment by

livingonli on 07/17/2009 19:45:30

I bounced my man boobs in the car.

Comment by

IzzyBitz on 07/17/2009 20:43:57

Quote by livingonli:

I bounced my man boobs in the car.

Comment by

livingonli on 07/17/2009 20:45:11

Hi, Izzy. Good to see ya on das blog.

Comment by

Random on 07/17/2009 20:54:29

Quote by Scoopster:

Oh gawd...

Well, to be fair, that may have been true, if massive surgeries and a bleaching hadn't occurred.

Comment by

Raine on 07/17/2009 20:56:02

Izzy? For realz? Is dat you???

Comment by

IzzyBitz on 07/17/2009 21:04:11

Izzy in the hizzy. Yo...

Comment by

Raine on 07/17/2009 21:17:35

Quote by IzzyBitz:

Izzy in the hizzy. Yo...

Well I'll be daymed! So loverly to see you round these parts.

Comment by

IzzyBitz on 07/17/2009 21:49:58

Raine and Livin

And a video of Neil Young from Mondo. My lady parts are all tingly.

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To the Moon!
Author: BobR Date: 07/17/2009 12:24:43

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To the Moon! Author: BobR Date: 07/17/2009 12:24:43

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To the Moon!
Author: BobR Date: 07/17/2009 12:24:43