Apollo 1 1 Astronaut Aldrin stepped out of the lunar module [data photo]
Chang 'e-1 successfully orbited the moon, and China got the first lunar satellite, which was the first step for China to realize the astronaut's dream of landing on the moon within 15 years. On July 20th, 38 years ago, American astronaut Armstrong printed the first human footprint on the moon. From Apollo1/kloc-0 in 1969 to Apollo 17 in 1972, the United States sent 12 astronauts to the moon. Now these heroes on the moon are old. Was their trip to the moon difficult? What is the moon in their memory? "Global Times" special correspondent recently told two astronauts Allen? Bean and Charles? Duke conducted an interview. Two astronauts told reporters that they knew about the ongoing "Chang 'e" lunar exploration project in China, calling it a major breakthrough. They hope that China will succeed and that man will return to the moon.
Apollo 12 astronaut alanlavern bean: The moon inspired me.
Global Times: Did everything go smoothly when you set off by Apollo 12?
Bean: Before taking off, it was almost "but before he could conquer, he was dead". First, the hydrogen tank leaked. Fortunately, it was replaced in time before takeoff. Then, shortly after take-off, "Apollo 12" was dramatically struck by lightning, and the power supply of instruments in the cabin was interrupted for five or six seconds. At that time, everyone panicked, but fortunately, the power supply was restored soon. Next, everything went smoothly. On the way to the moon, we were in a good mood. I joke with Pete and Richard all day. About four days later, we arrived at the moon.
Global Times: How did you feel when you set foot on the moon?
Bean: We were ordered to visit the previous lunar probe and bring some parts such as the camera on the probe back to Earth for research. The only thing that surprises me is that this detector looks much bigger than the analog detector I saw during my training in Houston. The detector is like a scrapped truck and a big house built on the moon by human beings. We stayed on the moon for four hours. Before returning to the earth, we left a scientific experimental device on the moon, which is a complex device that can be started with nuclear fuel.
Global Times: Are you in trouble on the moon?
Beans: At that time, it was the first time that we sent color images back to Earth. Before 15 minutes, there was only sound but no image. Later, I found that I pointed my camera at the sun, the light was too strong and the lens reflected too much light. 15 minutes later, the image finally came out. Some people say that Pete and I are like two big puppets looming on the moon in NBC TV programs. Of course, this is just an episode. On the whole, the task was completed smoothly.
Global Times: Before becoming an astronaut, did you dream of becoming a painter?
Beans: Every astronaut who comes back from the moon is a different person. Some people have injected new personality into their personalities, and some people have started their own businesses and are very successful. The moon has given me endless inspiration. I decided to show you another world that most people have never set foot in. I started as an amateur and became a full-time painter in the mid-1980s. Paintings sell well and earn more and more money.
I have been to many places in the United States related to Apollo's landing on the moon, and visited many space museums with objects brought back by the Apollo mission. None of these works can better reflect the spirit and soul of Apollo than my paintings. Because my paintings are made of soil mixed with oil paints brought back from the moon, each of my works records human exploration of another planet, and they are the most authentic art reflecting another world.
Astronaut Charles Duke: I left a family photo on the moon.
Global Times: Why do you want to be an astronaut?
Duke: People usually think astronauts are cool. What I want to say is that during my career as an astronaut, Ming and Li drifted in the wind. Some people say you made millions by landing on the moon. To tell the truth, when Apollo 16 was launched, I was an air force colonel, and my salary was no more than that of other air force colonels. Of course, during the Apollo 16 mission, I received a subsidy of $25 every day. After working 1 1 day, I got $275. Compared with the responsibility of each astronaut, this $275 can be said to be negligible. Therefore, no one is trying to be an astronaut for fame and fortune. I want to be an astronaut, because I inherited my father's career. My father is a pilot and my parents are patriots, thinking about how to contribute to the country all day. My idea is that people should experience the fun of adventure and the magical feeling of exploring the unknown world all their lives. Think about it, what it's like to sit on a Saturn rocket, almost as high as 120 meters! In my life, I have flown different types of planes, but this time (referring to landing on the moon) is the highest and farthest one.
Global Times: How did you feel when you took off?
Duke: John, Ken and I are sitting at the top of the rocket. You can feel it shaking badly when you take off. At first, it seemed that I took a high-speed elevator to the top of the skyscraper, but later it stabilized. After the window can be opened, I can see our earth: the deep blue is the ocean, the light blue is the sky, and there are white snowy mountains. This blue and white marble land is our home. It is surrounded by the universe. It's beautiful. At this time, the rocket accelerated and we ran to the moon. We have been training for this moment for six years.
Global Times: How did you spend your days flying to the moon?
Duke: We are busy doing all kinds of experiments. In our spare time, we throw pens and spoons to play, and life is not boring at all. We also have three meals a day as when we are on the ground, but everyone has a different menu. The space in the engine room is very small. It is not only an office, a bedroom, but also a bathroom. Everyone has no privacy. Toilets are baby diapers and sealed plastic bags. When you go to the toilet, you will consciously float away. After flying for more than three days, the moon finally appeared in the distance.
Global Times: What was your first impression of the moon?
Duke: We circled 60 miles above the moon. This is the dark side of the moon. However, after a quarter of an hour, I suddenly realized. This is very different from the place where the sun on the earth rises in Ran Ran. First, the atmosphere gets brighter and brighter, and then the sun bursts out. But there is no atmosphere on the moon. There is nothing here but darkness and light, and there is no transition. Looking out of the window: I saw a picture that I will never forget: the lifeless moon against the gray barren background. The moon is full of floating soil with particles as fine as powder, and rocks are exposed under the floating soil. But these rocks have no edges and corners, and everything on the moon is round and smooth. The mountain is round, the valley is round, and the distant horizon extends from the valley. Gray is the main color of the moon. I feel a little nervous, a little scared, but more excited.
Global Times: What did you do on the moon?
Duke: We spent 7 1 hour on the moon. If we look at the moon from the earth when the moon is full, our landing site is right in the middle of the moon, and its name is Descartes Highland. After landing on the moon, we had a good sleep first. Early the next morning, we set out to do the experiment. John drives a lunar rover, and I'm a passenger, at a speed of 17 kilometers per hour. We sang our favorite songs while looking for stones. Every time we dig a stone, we hold it in front of the camera and ask the ground command center, "Do you want this one?" When you get a positive answer, put it in the bag.
Global Times: Is there anything interesting happening on the moon?
Duke: Sunrise and sunset on the moon cycle every two weeks. So our time on the moon is always daytime. On the moon, no matter where you go, your footsteps and car prints will be clearly left on the surface of the moon, and you will never have to worry about getting lost.
John and I once competed to salute the national flag. I wanted to give a naval salute, but I jumped too high and fell to my knees. Another time, the joke went too far. Before returning to the lunar module, we were so excited that we held the Olympic Games on the moon for a few minutes. As a result, I almost broke my landing suit. Oh, my God, you scared me into a cold sweat. You know, if my monthly suit is broken and my respirator leaks, I will die.
Global Times: What did you leave on the moon?
Duke: When we left the moon, none of us spoke. I left a photo of my family, which was taken in our backyard the day before taking off. On the back of the photo is the signature of the whole family and a sentence: "To land on the moon peacefully for mankind". I wonder if Chang 'e can see my family photo?