served as Deputy Director of NASA ’ s Dryden Flight Research Center , Deputy Director of the Kennedy Space Center , and Director of NASA ’ s Johnson Space Center .
Eugene “ Gene ” Kranz – a former USAF fighter pilot and NASA Flight Director for Gemini 4 and Apollo missions 7 , 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 , 16 and 17 – was in control when three astronauts perished in a launch pad fire during a procedural test of Apollo 1 in 1967 . That dramatic failure led NASA to what became known as the Kranz Dictum , “ Tough & Competent ,” a dedication to diligence and perfection that permeates through the agency to this day .
Duke , Griffin and Kranz , along with Dee O ’ Hara , America ’ s original aerospace nurse who tended to all of America ’ s astronauts and their families from the Mercury , Gemini and Apollo missions through to the beginning of the Space Shuttle era , will share their personal recollections of Apollo 16 at a special celebration at the San Diego Air & Space Museum on April 23 .
Charlie Duke
By Apollo 16 , NASA ’ s team of support personnel was a seasoned group of lunar-exploration veterans , led by legendary Flight Directors Gerry Griffin and Gene Kranz .
Griffin was a Flight Controller , Gemini Systems and Flight Director for Apollo 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 13 , 14 and 16 . He was also the Lead Flight Director of Apollo 12 , 15 , and 17 . Later , he
“ The Apollo program ’ s Moon landings are some of one of the most significant achievements in human history ,” Jim Kidrick , President & CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum shared with GB Magazine . “ This year is the final year of the 50th Anniversaries of the Apollo program , offering an incredible opportunity to see , hear from , and meet personally the key figures who took part in the most extensive in-person exploration of the lunar surface , a goal of mankind from time immemorial . Apollo 16 is a true giant leap in the quest for knowledge and scientific discovery . The Apollo 16 50th Anniversary celebration is an evening to remember forever !”
To join in this event , sponsor or for more information visit , www . sandiegoairandspace . org .
We choose to go to the moon .
MARCH 2022 | GBSAN . COM 19