tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812284835552160092.post4172250325491380326..comments2023-05-04T10:37:41.344-04:00Comments on The Stone Giant Ponders: Dr. Mr. ArmstrongStone Gianthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17194423703147272715noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-812284835552160092.post-91138038935361535252012-09-07T02:29:32.227-04:002012-09-07T02:29:32.227-04:00Neil did some great things, of which the Apollo 11...Neil did some great things, of which the Apollo 11 EVA was the best known, and in a sense his reward for other work well done. His contributions to the X-15 program, an impressive record on other test vehicles, amazing performance on GT-8, and reflexes in the LLTV crash, along with other Apollo program contributions got him the Apollo 11 spot. As it turned out, he was exactly the right man at the controls on the moments before Eagle touched down.<br /><br />After Apollo 11, he did a lot of good for NASA and the manned program, mostly out of the limelight. There are also hundreds of aircraft designers and people in today's programs that owe their start to this man, not only for his inspiration as test pilot and astronaut, but for his ability and patience in teaching and create effective academic programs. <br /><br />He also used his stature to move and mold US space policy on several levels over the years, weighing in where he felt he could make a difference and where he felt that leadership (including the current administration) was making choices that harmed the program.<br /><br />Neil was not a publicity hound, and he left a lot of the razzle-dazzle to others, which ought not diminish his own nearly superhuman accomplishments over the years. Thank him for the programs he was part of, and some of what has happened since, it would probably have been less without him. Wink at the Moon he walked on, because it is what his family wants us to do, and because he is there and beyond.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com