Howling at the Moon

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Did you know that Buzz Aldrin took Communion/ Eucharist on the moon? Well, that's what one article I read today claims.

And, also - one thought which has always puzzled me ... if Neil took the first steps, who was standing at the bottom of the ladder taking the pictures? Buzz - so he would've been the first ... Only, of course, they were in a TV studio, right? And Nixon pocketed the space billions himself. As one woman told the papers at the time, I can't even get pictures from NY, let alone the moon. Indeed.

As you can tell, I've caught Apollo 11 fever (nearly everyone back then thought some dreadful germ was going to come back from the Moon and contaminate earth so perhaps I'd better wash my hands at NASA more!). After a grim start - sleepy and unable to move - I managed a very productive afternoon in the library, scanning materials relating to the impact of the Moon landings, amongst other things. Colin, the archivist is so intelligent and helpful - we had such a stimulating conversation about my book this afternoon. Being here is really helping me think out what I want this book to be about and the possible shape of the alternative history I'm planning. It's definitely been worth the trip, although more time here might've been helpful. Still, I have two more days and I'm racing through the material now -and then there's Houston's archives next week. I don't want to get too overburdened with facts either - this is a work of fiction, after all!

The ethical debates about the Space Race back then are fascinating and still hold true today. We need money for the poor, education and so on. But would governments send it that way? No! It'd go into war! I am caught between my socialist side which feel strongly that human social interests should be put first - like Gene Roddenberry's utopian vision in Star Trek of earthly poverty and disease being worked out before we explore the galaxy (and ruin the neighbourhood!). But then there's the part of me which loves exploration, challenge and is incredibly inspired by Apollo. Like the contemporary commentators, I feel in awe of the sheer achievement and want to think it could signal our potential to do anything as a species ...

But what did we do with legacy? We didn't transfer that expertise and effort to other compassionate endeavours. Unless there's political advantage, the kind of money this and other major undertakings need will never come about. After all, NASA had its funding cut and cut after its heyday. I saw plans for Moon bases and Mars exploration today which are now being planned for 2020 - fifty years later than hoped for! You can bet Bush isn't backing this new lunar plan for innocent reasons. China is scheming a moon shot and the superpowers need resources. The funding for NASA to do this (replacing the shuttle with Ares rockets etc) hasn't risen either since then, so we'll see if even this comes off. Apparently Bush Snr wanted to return to the moon (backing the military and NASA go hand in hand) and so now his son is finishing his daddy's work ... sound familiar??

Anyway, if a note of cynicism has infected my tone, it's not intended ... at least not in relation to NASA. I am ambivalent certainly - I doubt most things! - but I'll never cease to be fascinated by the sheer talent, energy and scope of what they do. I was told by a NASA engineer at KSC that if they patented everything they'd invented or influenced in terms of technology, then the whole world would be makred with blue NASA meatball insignia. It may be propaganda, but I look forward to seeing how in particular the pharmaceutical industries go about creating drugs in space once the space station is finished - they claim that they can then mass produce cancer drugs without any impurities or side-effects. If so, that would be a worthwhile outcome for this project.

I'm thinking of my father, Lothar, a lot these days. He's an engineer and interested in science and space - without him, I don't think I'd be here doing this wonderful work. So I thank him for that and hope I can write a very successful book in return for him encouraging this interest, this crazy girl who howls at the Moon.

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Comments

[Carolyn]

NASA Fest
Lots of interesting stuff here Sharon. I agree, space/exploration is truly fascinating - can't wait to read your novel. Carolyn