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On July 20, 1969 - 55 years ago today! - humans first stepped foot on another world.

In your eyes the first glad token As when first our love we proved, So your mind to mine has spoken Just as if your lips had moved You are saying–yes, I know– That the lure of space beguiles You are pleading–"Let me go," Not unwilling, but with smiles. Can you love me, and still choose Whisbers that I cannot hear? Late to love, how can I bear to lose Content for some inconstant sphere? Tell me how you see my role– To stay, to wait, yet yearn to go. Where is the comfort for my soul You, my love, have helped me know: I'll be unafraid, undaunted. Yes, of course! I need not face Any peril; or be haunted By the hazards you embrace. I could have sought by wit or wile Your bright dream to dim. And yet If I'd swayed you with a smile My reward would be regret. So, for once, you shall not hear Of the tears. unbidden, welling; Or the nighttime stabs of fear These, this time, are not for telling Take my silence, though intended; Fill it with the joy you feel Take my courage, now pretended– You, my love, will make it real

September 17, 1962: NASA Astronaut Group 2, aka the New Nine, is announced

The New Nine consisted of four Air Force pilots, three Naval aviators, and two civilians. Six of the nine flew to the moon with three walking on its surface. Two astronauts in particular, Pete Conrad and Jim Lovell, created a tenth member of the New Nine named Walter Frisbee.

“That’s relatively difficult to answer, it’s a job that we collectively said that was possible and we could do and of course that the nation itself is backing us, so we just sincerely hope that we measure up to that.” - Neil Armstrong

March 16, 1966 — Gemini 8 launches on the sixth manned Gemini mission

"Gemini-Titan 8 (GT-8) spacecraft, carrying astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, command pilot, and David R. Scott, pilot, was successfully launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) at 11:41 a.m. (EST). An attempt will be made to rendezvous and dock the GT-8 spacecraft with Agena Docking Target Vehicle."

"The mission patch shows the whole spectrum of objectives that were hoped to have been accomplished on Gemini 8. The text at the bottom is composed of the zodiacal symbol for Gemini, , and the Roman numeral for eight, VIII. The two stars are Castor and Pollux, which are in the constellation of Gemini, and are refracted through a prism to provide the spectrum. Armstrong and Scott both designed the flight patch."

-Info from Wikipedia: link

Date: March 16, 1966

NASA ID: KSC-66PC-0038, S66-24465, S66-18616, 104-KSC-66P-138, SPD-MARSH-9141927, S66-23978

Armstrong and Scott with Hatches Open

"Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and David R. Scott sit with their spacecraft hatches open while awaiting the arrival of the recovery ship, the USS Leonard F. Mason after the successful, but early, completion of their Gemini VIII mission. They are assisted by USAF Pararescuemen Eldrige M. Neal, Larry D. Huyett, and Glenn M. Moore. The overhead view shows the Gemini 8 spacecraft with the yellow flotation collar attached to stabilize the spacecraft in choppy seas. The green marker dye is highly visible from the air and is used as a locating aid."

Date: March 16, 1966