INSIDE THE APOLLO PROJECT

NASA Cancels Current Space Program

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:33:00 +0000

Feb. 28, 2010

Wow! What a terrible announcement. This reminds me and probably millions of other Space Fans of the time Pres. Nixon cancelled Apollo in 1974. The head of NASA announced that he is cancelling the Constellation program consisting of the Ares Rocket and the Orion Capsule. NASA is going to refund monies to the contractors. Trying to figure this out will be a tangled mess. America has long led the world in space exploration and development. Boy, how the mighty have fallen. This is really sad.
Especially to me who worked on Apollo.
I'm sure all of you know why this is happening: the wars in the mid-east and the financial debacle which started two years ago. Pres. Bush thought he was doing the right thing but he and Congress have driven this country to near bankruptacy.
WE ARE BROKE!
Let's hope that the ISS will not go silent and the Cape abandoned.

A MEASURE FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 20:29:00 +0000

Did you know that right after Apollo 11 landed on the moon, scientific projects were placed? Did NASA keep any of this secret? I don't know. Neil Armstrong took two reflectors and placed them in the lunar soil on a specific place. There were other experiments too. This experiment with the reflectors continued for 40 years.
On top of a mountain (Mt. Davis) in the big bend country of Texas stands MacDonald Observatory. It is owned by the University of Texas. The astronomers have been firing a ruby laser at the moon every day for 40 years.The moon is moving away from us and in 10,000 years, there will be no eclipses. Our moon is the only one to have eclipses in our solar sysrem

The Bagpipes

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:44:00 +0000

I am of Scottish Descent. We have been to the Edinburg Tattoo twice in the early 1990s. What does this have to do with Apollo?

To me this is the spirit of our Lunar achievement.
We Scots have attained greatness. Please listen and enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MOUcIp5W34

The Apollo Naval Recovery Ships

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:37:00 +0000

Have any of you heard of the Apollo Naval Recovery Ships? There were eleven missions and about 80 ships. The USS Hornet was the Primary Recovery Ship for Apollo 11 and Apollo 12. The primary ships were designated PRS. The Hornet is now a wonderful navy museum. Look it up and you can find it's Museum and location.

My You Tube Video

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:14:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DifBN3PPhk

Affirmations: Hope you enjoy this.

The Saturn V versus the Space Shuttle

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:39:00 +0000

There is nothing in common with these two except they both use the VAB and the launch pads.
There are procedures with the Shuttle that were never done on Apollo. Most folks that know the Shuttle equate everything done with the Saturn V. Not so.
In Apollo the people working in one plant never knew that there were more than one plant (there were hundreds). We were never told anything. If there were communications between plants it was done at the highest levels--probably through Marshall Space Flight Center at Huntsville. Most of us 400,000 were the Peons in the Pits. There were no cell phones and regular phones were few and far between. Transistors had not been invented yet so there was no fancy technology.
I was recently asked some questions about procedures. I had to laugh because it had nothing to do with the Saturn V.
Most of the reason for the lack of information was due to the paranoia of the "communists".
I laugh at "homeland security" and TSA. They have nothing on Apollo. Have you seen these (name inserted) really find any terrorists? All they do is piss off passengers. Have you seen old ladies strap on explosives and blow up anything in this country?
Americans are being punished for the horrors of 911.

TAKING CHANCE

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:49:00 +0000

How do you describe something so profound that it stills your heart? This is honor is so portrayed that it affected everyone: cast, crew, the family, airplane passengers, baggage handlers, truckers and everyone. This is a true story of a young Marine from Wyoming who was killed in Iraq. But there is more. This also is the story of a Marine Colonel who escorts Lance Corporal Chance Phelps back to his family in Wyoming. It is a journey of discovery and shows a nation's reverence and gratitude toward its war dead.
It is only an hour and a half long and is out on DVD.
One of the most incredible and moving pictures I have seen in a very long time. AND IT IS ALL TRUE.

The United States Marine Corps

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:06:00 +0000

Please read the Commandant's message for the United States Marine Corps' 233th Birthday on Nov. 10th 2009. I have three Marines whom I love very much. We are an honorable family and have served our country with courage. I have met people from all over the world who are in awe of our Marines. We just lost our 86-year old Marine veteran of Iwo Jima and Korea.
I believe every time a Marine goes to heaven, a beautiful bell tolls, "Welcome home, Marine".

Semper Fidelis Marines!

The Air & Space Museum at the Smithsonian

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:11:00 +0000

On July 20, 2009 I was contacted by the Air & Space Museum at the Smithsonian Institute. They honored me by asking for a written biography. Was I surprised!
It is fun to have been contacted by engineers and astronomers from England, Scotland, Australia, Japan and Russia. Everyone writes in English very well except one: Russia. He is a nice guy but hilarious. I asked him if he spoke English. "No" he said. He is actually French living in Russia. He has translation programs. He translated French -> Russian -> English. You wouldn't believe the hilarious meanings. Then he sent me pictures of the Russian space vehicles. THEY ARE EXACTLY LIKE OURS--even to a copy of our Space Shuttle. But he told me that they didn't work. I am really laughing by then.

The Navy Recovery Ships

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:21:00 +0000

I have been researching the Navy Recovery ships of Apollo. Oh, my. I found a ship named after a young Marine who was a receiptent of the Congressional Medal of Honor during WWII. More later.
There were eleven Apollo Recovery Missions and 80 ships. This does not include Mercury and Gemini missions.
This also does not include the aircraft.

SATURN V new information

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:48:00 +0000

I'm sure you all know people who know other people. This can go around the world. Well, I have been trying to reach any Apollo Astronaut to ask a question: "What was it like to ride my beloved Saturn V?". I got my answer through many contacts.
The answer? "TERRIFYING". I love it! That is from our SI-C Stage..
But all you guys remained safe. :o)

5th & 6th Graders at a great School

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:54:00 +0000

I just finished speaking to the 5th and 6th grades at a great private school. I showed my video and they loved it. My talk is about the 400,000 who really built Apollo. They gave me rousing cheers when certain videos were shown. I received three standing ovations. Not an astronaut was in sight. I am telling everyone that Apollo is about the history of our country and that AMERICANS built and did everything. Americans landed on the moon, too.
It is a great lesson in history.
Cheers to all!

NASA facilities on the Cape

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:33:00 +0000

Cape Kennedy is still there. I just returned from a visit.
The true name is “The Kennedy Space Center”.
Kennedy was named by Congress after Pres. Kennedy’s death.
The Kennedy Space Center is west of Cape Canaveral and is mainly a visitor’s center. They have museums, theatres, interactive exhibits for the kids and models of many rockets.
They have memorials to the Challenger and the Columbia.
There are stores selling everything. People can hear a real astronaut give a lecture. You can have lunch with an astronaut. The public can watch launches from there.
I love it! The NASA employees are delightful and love their center.
And…..they have my beloved Saturn V. I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.

Cape Canaveral is a working Air Force Base. Cape Canaveral is east from The Kennedy Space Center across the Banana River. Canaveral contains all the launch facilities both for Apollo and the Shuttle. There are the launch pads and launch towers. There is the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and the crawler tractor. Launch Control is there along with safety bunkers and administrative buildings. There is tracking equipment and much more. There are more launch facilities at the Air Force Base. The Air Force launches communications satellites, weather satellites, planetary probes (Mars rovers) and space telescopes and much more. We (the U.S.) have the best launch facilities in the world. Other countries pay us to use our launch facilities.
Why are we the best? Florida’s unique position on the globe gives every space craft a 1,000 mph kick eastward. This is because of the earth’s rotation.
No civilian/tourist can go to Cape Canaveral. There is security everywhere and you will be jailed if caught.

THE CONTRACTORS

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 14:50:00 +0000

I started this blog to do several things: educate people about the real Apollo and honor the contractors. For 40 years or more all the public hears about is the astronauts and their missions. We 400,000 people who actually did the work were in facilities from the Pacific to the Atlantic and from the Canadian border to the Mexican border. We are grandparents, parents, sons and daughters. With great hearts and lots of skill we created a miracle. We were the ones that built the mighty Saturn V not the reporters in Mission Control. NASA did not build anything. The contractors did. Who built the launch tower and the launch pads? We did. Who built the towering VAB? Not Neil Armstrong. Who tested everything to make sure it was perfect?
I am mighty tired of the public listening to the pap NASA spews out. No one has told the adults and kids of today that what they are hearing is bull s**t. We have given all the astronauts their due for over 40 years. They are nice folks but if not for us, they would be sitting on the ground. Enough is enough.
I receive emails asking me to promote someone's media stuff. They are invaribally about Apollo 11 or Apollo 13.
I receive emails telling me to read this or that book. Why should I buy someone else's book when I lived it? Anyway every book is about NASA or the astronauts. Gag. If you want me to read someone's book, buy it and send it to me.

Yes, I am not happy.

My New Nickname

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:28:00 +0000

Hi, folks Hope everyone is fine.
I have some interesting news.
1. A great propulsion engineer who works in Michoud contacted me. Oh, Michoud! What a thrill! He has been working on the Shuttle for 20 years. Hooray!

2. I have been given a nickname: STEELY-EYED ROCKET WOMAN. Ha! Look out!

SOME NEWS-ONLY TWO OF US WORKING ON SATURN V

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:32:00 +0000

As far as I know after two years of research, Sally and I were the only two gals working as aerospace engineers on the SI-C Stage of the Saturn V. While we were at Michoud there were no others on the first and second stages. As for the third stage, it was built by McDonnell Douglas and no one that we can find says that there were any women engineers. There were other women geniuses working for NASA on interesting things in laboratories all over the U.S.
The picture is our stage being moved around the storage facilities at Michoud. This first stage is a block long at 138 feet.

OUR MOON

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:50:00 +0000

Some information about our Moon: It influences our Earth without being noticed such as tides and life like the rhythms of reproduction. I think it is beautiful to watch. It has pulled on our planet for billions of years.
Can we survive without it? Since Apollo Astronauts placed reflectors on the Moon, an observatory in the wilds of Texas has been firing a ruby laser at those reflectors every day. I have been there and watched the laser fire. Cool! But the bad news: our Moon is moving away from us and I was told that in about 10,000 years, there might not be ANY eclipses. Yikes! Civilization has not been in existance that long.
Did you know that our moon is the only one in the entire solar system that creates eclipses?
Recently it has been announced that another facility will be firing the laser. McDonald Observatory probably will be conducting other research.

APOLLO Contractors

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:08:00 +0000

I worked for Boeing-the prime and largest contractor on Apollo. Other major contractors were: North American Aviation, Douglas (McDonnell Douglas later) and IBM.
North American sub-contracted Chrysler and Rocketdyne which built the F-1 and J-2 engines. Then there was Grumann.
Here were the main facilities for the Saturn V: Seal Beach, Calif.; Huntington Beach, Calif; Michoud, La.; and Bethpage, N.Y.
Testing for the first stage the SI-C was done at the Mississippi Test Site near Bay St. Louis and at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

I will give you the specifications later of the Saturn V.

I just want you who are reading this to know that I have so much information to share that not even the people in NASA today have a clue. I can't find anyone who worked with me and that is sad.

There are very few (if any) Apollo employees online.

The Saturn V is still the largest rocket ever built.
I am so proud to have been a part of this magnificent endeavor.

When you see the Saturn V launch and you hear "ignition", that is our stage. The huge long flame just before staging is our stage, too. We boosted the Saturn V up to 38 miles in 2 1/2 minutes at 6,000 mph. We built a miracle.

Please Follow this Blog-Unique News

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:04:00 +0000

For all of you fine folks who are reading this Blog, would you please look on the left side for "Follow"? Please sign up. You can keep up with the posts. It is FREE.

Then when the spirit moves you, please leave a comment on any post.

Then, would you consider sending the URL to all of your email friends? I really need the traffic.

http://www.insidetheapolloproject.com/

One more thing: Do you have a website? How about trading links? I can show you how to do this.

Please keep in mind that after much research, it seems that Sally and I were the ONLY women working as engineers on the entire Saturn V. If there are more, I cannot find them. No NASA women engineers worked directly on the Saturn V.
I have received files from NASA of the women who worked for them on Apollo.

Easy Setup Wizard

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Mon, 25 May 2009 17:08:00 +0000

Easy Setup Wizard: "Link URL: http://www.Free-Link-Exchange.com"

The Astronauts of Apollo 11 and Robert Morris

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Sat, 23 May 2009 21:38:00 +0000

This is from Robert with a really great story:

Sara,

On the contrary, I for one am interested in your amazing web site.
Like you, I share some personal interest in the Apollo Program.

My late mother-in-law, who married an aviation pioneer named "Armstrong," exchanged personal letters with the mother of Neil Armstrong following the Apollo 11 moon landing.

The Apollo 11 command module pilot, Michael Collins, was a childhood friend of mine in 1945 in Ohio and later our paths crossed in the military service at Chanute AFB in 1958. I have an autographed portrait of Michael's father, Major General James L. Collins, on one of my walls. General Collins, among other achievements, was Aide-de-Camp to General of the Armies, John J. Pershing, in Mexico, in the Philippines and in France during World War I.

And I served under Buzz Aldrin in the same Army unit, before he entered the Air Force and went on to fame and glory.

There, I have probably told you more than you need, or want, to know about your Apollo Program.

I admire your achievements and your professional contributions to our nation and to the world!

My very best wishes to you and to Dudley,

Robert

=================================

What an absolutely fascinating and wonderful story.

Thanks, Robert.

Is there Anyone reading this? A sad day

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Tue, 19 May 2009 01:01:00 +0000

There has been one thing over the years that I am very sad about. It has been over 40 years since I worked on the magnificent rocket--the Saturn V. I have never seen or spoken to any of our Astronauts. It looks like I never will. Those of us who created a solid piece of technology for the times are alone, forgotton and thrown in the trash pile. I do not want autographs. These do not give you the measure of a man.

Anyway, no one will miss me. No one has ever read this blog.
Well, maybe one or two.

Remember,"The astronauts have the right stuff but we engineers have the REAL stuff".

P.S. Addendum. I will keep posting. Thank you everyone for your input. I need to get more traffic.

The HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Tue, 19 May 2009 00:16:00 +0000

What an absolutely fabulous telescope. The crew of the Space Shuttle Atlantis did a wonderful job refurbishing the Hubble.

I bet there are scientists and astronomers who are waiting with bated breath until the day comes when First Light will be seen. Oh, the mysteries we will see. This mission has been one-of-a-kind and will never be seen again.

Technorati: Ping

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Tue, 19 May 2009 00:10:00 +0000

Technorati: Ping: "http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping into"

Sara's Newest Achievements

sara1861@embarqmail.com (Sara Howard) — Sat, 16 May 2009 20:55:00 +0000

Announcements from Sara:

My book has been published and is for sale on Amazon.com It is "The Biggest Explosions in The Universe" and has gorgeous pictures from the Hubble Telescope.