Earthrise by Edgar Mitchell Read Free Book Online

became president of the United States after Eisenhower left office. In that year, President Kennedy announced to Congress the ambitious, 10-year goal of having an American astronaut land on the Moon and safely return to Earth before the end of the decade.
    Ten years to the Moon? I took it as a personal challenge. I wanted to go to the Moon.
    The following is an excerpt from John F. Kennedy’s famous speech, “The Decision to Go to the Moon,” which was delivered before a joint session of Congress on May 25, 1961.
First, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish. We propose to accelerate the development of the appropriate lunar spacecraft. We propose to develop alternate liquid and solid fuel boosters, much larger than any now being developed, until certain, which is superior. We propose additional funds for other engine development and for unmanned exploration—explorations, which are particularly important for one purpose which this nation will never overlook … the survival of the man who first makes this daring flight.
    —John F. Kennedy, May 25, 1961
    A Big Disappointment
    Although I enjoyed studying at MIT, I was very glad to graduate. My doctoral thesis was titled “Guidance of Low-Thrust Interplanetary Vehicles,” and I earned my doctor of science (Sc.D) in 1964. Other future astronauts, such as Buzz Aldrin, Dave Scott, and Charlie Duke, were also studying and getting their degrees from MIT during the years when I was there.
    After graduation I was raring to go, but not exactly sure what to do. I eventually applied for a position in the guidance control division of NASA located in Houston, Texas, and was accepted. Houston was definitely the place to be if you wanted to be an astronaut.
    Louise, the kids, and I knew the drill. We packed up the car and started driving west toward Texas. Finally my dream to become an astronaut was really coming true. At least for a few hours.
    On our drive, we stopped at Louise’s mother’s home in Pennsylvania. That’s when I got a phone call from Navy Captain Jack Van Ness, who delivered some very disappointing news. Jack informed me the navy wanted me to work on a new project in Los Angeles called the Manned Orbiting Laboratory, which would be part of the military’s space surveillance program.
    So, although I had my heart set on Houston, we headed to Los Angeles.
    For nearly a year and a half I worked on the Manned Orbiting Laboratory and oversaw many people who helped design this state-of-the-art spacecraft. But once it became clear to me that the orbiting lab project was starting to stall, I realized this job wasn’t going to help me get to the Moon. To get to the Moon, I needed a lot more time flying newer and faster jets. I remembered good advice I’d heard throughout my life: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” So I tried again.
    A Great Move
    I knew Edwards Air Force Base wasn’t that far from L.A. and had an Aerospace Research Pilot School headed by the legendary test pilot Chuck Yeager. Jack Van Ness understood my aspirations to walk on the Moon, so I asked him if he could help get me assigned to the school. Thankfully, he did just that.
    In 1965, my next big adventure was learning to fly exotic supersonic jets at Edwards Air Force Base, which was located in the middle of the Mojave Desert. During the week I would say good-bye to Louise and the girls, who were happy to stay in Los Angeles, and I’d fly up to Edwards. I’d then return to be with my family on the weekends.
    Edwards Air Force Base was an exciting place to be with an amazing agenda of flight programs. It was certainly a dynamic time in my life. Suddenly I was flying