Author
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Topic: Go, Flight! (Rick Houston and Milt Heflin)
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MCroft04 Member Posts: 1634 From: Smithfield, Me, USA Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 12-12-2015 08:57 PM
Crap! Why did I ever leave Houston? But I have a signed print headed my way in the near future! |
capoetc Member Posts: 2169 From: McKinney TX (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 12-12-2015 09:01 PM
Sounds like a great event. I'm disappointed I was unable to attend, and not for a lack of trying. |
astrobar1 Member Posts: 112 From: Mishawaka, IN, USA Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 12-12-2015 09:19 PM
What an amazing opportunity to meet the heroes who quietly remained behind the scenes during mankind's greatest adventure. The ones who truly made it all possible (think about the challenges of Apollo 8, Apollo 11, Apollo 12, Apollo 13 and on...). Bob, contact Indiana for a photo of you and Gene Kranz, Jerry Bostick, and Ed Fendell. OK, not your best side, but theirs is pretty good. |
mprender Member Posts: 21 From: Winston Salem North Carolina Registered: Apr 2015
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posted 12-15-2015 08:37 AM
Got a call yesterday from The Space Trader store. My signed book is on its way via FedEx and should be here within days! |
Grounded! Member Posts: 367 From: Bennington, Vermont, USA Registered: Feb 2011
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posted 12-15-2015 12:56 PM
I just got off the phone with them, and my book is on the way! Many thanks to Rick and Milt for their writing efforts and for putting together this amazing signing. I can't wait to read this book! |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 12-15-2015 02:35 PM
That is excellent news. The photos I've seen of the signing process for the preorders were truly something to behold. Sharon Glenn and Cheri Armstrong of Space Center Houston had it going on, big time. |
Buel Member Posts: 649 From: UK Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 12-16-2015 05:11 PM
Rick, 'Go, Flight!' has successfully made the trip to snowy Reykjavik, Iceland.Here, in one photograph, we have two things that mean a lot to me: 'Go, Flight!' and, of course, the Moon. I feel that this image is kind of symbolic of what those men did: |
ColinBurgess Member Posts: 2031 From: Sydney, Australia Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 12-21-2015 02:59 PM
Rick and Milt have done an exemplary job in putting together "Go, Flight!" and they are deserving of all the high praise the book has garnered. As series editor I can reveal that the book has proved so popular it has already gone through a second printing. Well done, Rick and Milt. |
UKRuss2 Member Posts: 34 From: UK Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 12-23-2015 09:26 AM
I have just received my copy here in the UK. A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this happen.I was saddened to see my copy was not signed by Gene Kranz nor Glynn Lunney - two autographs of gentlemen I will never get to meet and hoped to obtain the most. The book will remain however a treasured possession. I was wondering if it would be possible to post the book to Mr Lunney and Kranz to obtain their signatures? Do these gentlemen sign through the post? Appreciate any feedback, as to be honest I do not want to impose upon either. Cheers. |
mprender Member Posts: 21 From: Winston Salem North Carolina Registered: Apr 2015
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posted 12-23-2015 11:17 AM
I count 21 autographs in my book. Kranz is one of them but Lunney is not. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-23-2015 11:26 AM
Glynn Lunney arrived late to the event, so I believe missed out on the pre-signing. Gene Kranz left early, so not everyone in attendance had the chance to add his signature to the book. |
OLDIE Member Posts: 267 From: Portsmouth, England Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 12-23-2015 11:54 AM
Great news. I'd been out for a Christmas lunch today (okay, so its a bit early!) and a few minutes after I arrived home FedEx arrived with my copy of the book. What a nice way to start Christmas. Thanks to Sharon and everyone who made this all happen. One question. On page one of this post Robert Pearlman posted a photo of signed book pages. Whose is the bottom signature on the right hand page? I've worked out all the others but not this one. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-23-2015 12:03 PM
That is Merlin Merritt. As described by Rick Houston: A Telmu who tried to convince Flight Director Glynn Lunney that the Lunar Module's guidance system needed to be turned off as soon as possible during the Apollo 13 crisis, Merritt later went into Christian ministry and education. |
astroborg Member Posts: 200 From: Woodbridge, VA, USA Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 12-24-2015 02:29 PM
I second Colin Burgess' kudos to Rick and Milt, and also to Sharon at Space Center Houston. The multiple signing event was an incredible bonus, and I will long treasure this addition to my library. |
ea757grrl Member Posts: 729 From: South Carolina Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 12-24-2015 03:50 PM
I'd like to add my thanks to the folks who arranged the signing, the luminaries who took part in the signing, and the store staffers who took care of my order in a courteous and professional manner. That's not to mention my thanks to Rick Houston and Milt Heflin for a book that's fascinating just in a quick scan through, and that I look forward to reading in its entirety. It's a treat to have an opportunity like this, and I will cherish my signed edition. |
BMacKinnon Member Posts: 230 From: Waterford, MI. USA Registered: Jul 2007
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posted 12-24-2015 05:50 PM
What an amazing experience to be a part of and to help out a friend. As far as the pre-signing of books, Gene Kranz was able to sign some of them but he wanted to be able to sign in person before his arthritis forced him to stop signing for those that came in person. Glynn Lunney was only able to make the in person signing. Neither Kranz or Lunney were able to sign the prints that Rick put together for the cancer fundraiser due to time constraints. I did make sure that all of the other Unsung Heroes signed every print there! I also observed the ladies of the gift shop make sure every book got signed by all of the other men in attendance. It was a challenge to keep track of them as they all arrived at different times before the main presentation and signing. They did a great job. It was great to see so many people come from outside of Houston to attend the event. I sure am glad I read the book beforehand so I was able to have some great conversations with those guests in attendance including John Aaron and Bill Moon! Special bonus at the signing to see former astronaut and current Flight Director TJ Creamer walking a book through the line to get signatures of the legends of Mission Control. And a final surprise of the day — Marianne Dyson, one of the first female flight controllers made her way through the line to get a book signed for herself also. She also signed my copy and signed her photo in the book! I again thank Milt and Rick for writing an amazing book! I look forward to bringing the book to Spacefest and adding a few more to the book — including Rick Houston! |
UKRuss2 Member Posts: 34 From: UK Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 12-26-2015 09:13 AM
Just finished reading. A fascinating and insightful book. Always good to read all the other stories we miss out on through our focus on the astronauts and missions themselves. The Outward Odyssey books have been a blessing - and this was one of my favourites. Thanks again to all at the space centre and the signers who gave their valuable time. A real treasure in my collection - my girlfriend couldn't believe how many signatures there were! |
Daugherty54 Member Posts: 591 From: Cabot, Arkansas, USA Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 12-28-2015 12:07 AM
Man I wish I had ordered a copy of this!! Any one have an extra for sale? |
mode1charlie Member Posts: 1169 From: Honolulu, HI Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 12-28-2015 05:32 PM
Brad, thanks for your help on the prints. And of course to Rick for putting the entire thing in motion in the first place. My signed book arrived the other day, so you are now live in Honolulu as well! |
minipci Member Posts: 365 From: London, UK Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 12-30-2015 06:23 PM
quote: Originally posted by mprender: I count 21 autographs in my book. Kranz is one of them but Lunney is not.
I also have 21 signatures in the 2 books I received. I am missing Hal Loden, Glynn Lunney and Jerry Mill in both books, but luckily I got Gene Kranz's signature. |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 01-04-2016 06:57 AM
I apologize for Glynn not signing, but it was my understanding that he did not arrive until just before the presentation at 1 p.m. Gene was also a last-minute surprise attendee and did have the chance to sign several pre-orders, but evidently not all of them. The book I received was signed by Glynn, but not Gene. I think Milt had it shepherded through the actual public signing line for me. |
Grounded! Member Posts: 367 From: Bennington, Vermont, USA Registered: Feb 2011
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posted 01-05-2016 02:52 AM
I was fortunate to have Gene Kranz's signature on my copy, along with 20 others! Are you kidding Rick? Of all the Outward Odyssey releases, this one is certainly the most grand in terms of support from the numerous contributors on Go Flight's release, and the wonderful signing that was arranged after the books release. Glynn Lunney's signature would have been nice, but yours is more important! I would be most grateful if you would sign my copy. may I send it to you? |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 01-05-2016 09:36 AM
Absolutely. Send me an email at apollo18cdr@yahoo.com and I'll give you my shipping address. |
Buel Member Posts: 649 From: UK Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 01-26-2016 03:21 AM
I will give my review on this book soon enough (for what it's worth), but in the meantime here are the thoughts of ex-Apollo Public Affairs Officer Doug Ward, who is mid-way through 'Go, Flight!': The book arrived a couple of days ago and I have been devouring it with great interest. When I and others were pressuring Gene Kranz to write a book that would document the history and accomplishments of MCC,"Go Flight" was the sort of thing we had in mind. The story is too big for any one book, but add together Mike Collins' "Carrying the Fire", Chris Kraft's "Flight", Gene Kranz' "Failure is Not An Option" and the Houston/Heflin "Go Flight" and you get a pretty good picture. I first skimmed the book and am now about half way through a cover-to-cover read' I believe Mr. Ward will be kind enough to provide his further thoughts when he has finished it. |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 02-02-2016 09:39 AM
I am NOT connected to this listing in any way, shape, form or fashion, but there's a copy of Go, Flight! signed by twenty former flight controllers available on eBay. The starting bid is $79.99 with a Buy It Now price of $103.99. It's signed by Bill Gravett, Jerry Bostick, Lee Briscoe, Ed Fendell, Bill Moon, Jim Kelly, Jack Garman, Milt Heflin, Arnie Aldrich, Charlie Harlan, Rod Loe, Dutch von Ehrenfried, Larry Keyser, John Aaron, Bob Heselmeyer, Milt Windler, Merlin Merritt, Bob Peters and Bob Carlton. The listing can be found here. |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 02-08-2016 09:33 AM
Sooooooo ... it turns out that at least a couple of people have Chris Kraft copies of Go, Flight! for his signature, but rather than simply add his autograph and ship it back, he started thumbing through one of the copies. He later emailed Milt with comments that have left the both of us virtually speechless. "I stayed up half the night (which I'm prone to do) reading the book," Dr. Kraft wrote Milt. "It is an outstanding achievement. You and your co-author have done a marvelous job." Holy cow. I now know how John Aaron must've felt following the launch of Apollo 12, when Dr. Kraft came down to his console and told him, "Good job, young man." |
Buel Member Posts: 649 From: UK Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 02-08-2016 11:08 AM
OMG!!! It doesn't get better than that, Rick!!! |
dss65 Member Posts: 1156 From: Sandpoint, ID, USA Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 09-14-2016 08:02 PM
I've been looking forward to reading this book for a number of months now, and have finally gotten to it. I shouldn't have waited! I would have to say that this is one of the very best books that I have read on the Space Race, and that is a remarkable achievement. I recommend that fans of the books about this era do not miss this one. I won't repeat what has already been said about this book, but I will say that I was surprised about how different the perspective of the flight controllers was regarding a lot of the personalities that we've gotten to know from other sources. Rick Houston and Milt Heflin have given us all a real gift here. |
mikeh Member Posts: 147 From: Registered: Feb 2008
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posted 10-05-2016 11:41 PM
I had a major scare recently with my copy. After looking long and hard I finally managed to locate a copy and started sending it out for additional signatures. I sent it to Mr. Kraft where it was declared by the local Houston PO to be undeliverable - with no forwarding address. I assumed it was being sent back to me.After two weeks of not receiving it I tried calling the Houston USPS branch. Over 20 calls later and being blown off four times by employees too busy to help, with no answers as to where it was I submitted complaints. I got my local postmaster (who I know very well) to help chase it down. She also couldn't get through to the Houston branch so had an internal investigation started. Houston put out another notice that it was being forwarded... but provided no other info. Was it being sent to Mr. Kraft? To me? Nobody was able to find out. Finally after close to six weeks of calls and emails by multiple people a couple days ago I got a text notice out of the blue that it was delivered back to my local PO. I immediately jumped in the car to go get it. Now it's safe and sound in my possession again and I am totally afraid to send it out to addresses found on the internet that may or may not be valid. |
Fra Mauro Member Posts: 1586 From: Bethpage, N.Y. Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 10-11-2017 06:30 PM
One of the fascinating stories in this great book involves Bruce McCandless. The incident where he heard that Kraft wouldn't consider him for Apollo due to "insubordination" when he was Apollo 11 capcom is amazing. Has anyone heard this story anywhere else? |
Buel Member Posts: 649 From: UK Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 10-11-2017 06:34 PM
Yes - Bruce told my friends and I this at one of the Autographica events. He is quite open about it. He said that he can't prove it but does believe that was the reason. |
Fra Mauro Member Posts: 1586 From: Bethpage, N.Y. Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 10-12-2017 06:00 AM
That's terrible! Since when could the Capcom or Deke change the flight plan and ignore the Flight Director? At that point, the only flights he might have been assigned to was 16 or 17. He also was a scientist-astronaut, which may have hurt him. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-12-2017 06:10 AM
Related discussion here: Why Bruce McCandless waited so long to fly. |