Author
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Topic: Go, Flight! (Rick Houston and Milt Heflin)
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cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
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posted 04-07-2015 04:00 PM
Go, Flight! The Unsung Heroes of Mission Control, 1965-1992 by Rick Houston and Milt Heflin At first glance, it looks like just another auditorium in just another government building. But among the talented men (and later women) who worked in mission control, the room located on the third floor of Building 30 — at what is now Johnson Space Center — would become known by many as "The Cathedral." These members of the space program were the brightest of their generations, making split-second decisions that determined the success or failure of a mission. The flight controllers, each supported by a staff of specialists, were the most visible part of the operation, running the missions, talking to the heavens, troubleshooting issues on board, and, ultimately, attempting to bring everyone safely back home.None of NASA's storied accomplishments would have been possible without these people. Interviews with dozens of individuals who worked in the historic third-floor mission control room bring the compelling stories to life. Go, Flight! is a real-world reminder of where we have been and where we could go again given the right political and social climate. |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 10-05-2015 11:01 AM
Go, Flight! The Unsung Heroes of Mission Control — the latest volume in University of Nebraska Press' Outward Odyssey series — is scheduled for release December 1. I'm obviously biased, but it's one of the best things I've done in my career. From the moment I walked into the historic third-floor MOCR literally with tears in my eyes, I knew I wanted to do something to honor the people who had worked there. I'm thankful to Colin Burgess and the rest of the gang at UNP who've allowed co-author Milt Heflin and I to do just that. Honestly, the book could be summed up in this quote from Lee Briscoe, a former Apollo-era backroomer who made it all the way to the flight director's console during the Shuttle program. "The people who inhabited that room while all this was going on were amazing people, and they did amazing things," Briscoe said. "It's just a shame that you can't preserve those people like you're going to preserve that room. Those people deserve that kind of place in history." Input from virtually all of the people who worked in and around that room has been one of the very best things about working on this project. Men well into their 80s went crawling through attics to find old mission reports. More than one kept right on talking well after I'd asked my last prepared interview question... and that's when I got the good stuff! |
lspooz Member Posts: 384 From: Greensboro, NC USA Registered: Aug 2012
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posted 10-05-2015 12:53 PM
I have to ask my obligatory question, any scheduled signings? |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 10-05-2015 01:18 PM
Larry, for you, I'll be glad to do a private signing. Just name the time and the place! Also, I'm in the process of setting up signings in Houston around the book's release in early December. |
rjurek349 Member Posts: 1190 From: Northwest Indiana Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 10-05-2015 02:30 PM
Congrats, Rick!!! Really looking forward to reading this one. Make sure you sign the first book, out of the first box, that you get from the press as the TRUE first edition out of the box, and keep it on your shelf as a trophy. I am sure you will treasure it for years to come. Congrats! |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 10-07-2015 08:17 AM
I still have the first book out of the first case of every book I've written. Of course, the only problem is that I'll probably be LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG dead and buried before they're ever worth anything ... if then! |
rjurek349 Member Posts: 1190 From: Northwest Indiana Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 10-07-2015 10:19 AM
Rick - given how prolific you are, they will at least create a great family legacy! (My joke is, when people ask me to autograph "Marketing the Moon", I ask them first, "Are you really sure you want to lower the resale value of this?" ) |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 10-12-2015 10:48 AM
My standard reply is that unsigned copies sell for whatever the list price is from the publisher ... and that signed copies are 37 cents! |
OWL Member Posts: 175 From: United Kingdom Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 10-12-2015 03:50 PM
This is one book I am really looking forward to reading. |
Andy Anderson Member Posts: 82 From: Perth, Australia Registered: Dec 2009
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posted 10-24-2015 07:45 AM
Just picked up a copy from Barnes and Noble in New York on Wednesday.A great story that had just been waiting to be told. And so very well done. |
fredtrav Member Posts: 1673 From: Birmingham AL Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 10-24-2015 10:31 AM
Hey, Rick, since you got a case from the publisher, I will be glad to by one of your copies signed for 37 cents...
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Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 10-26-2015 09:41 AM
The book is officially out now! Milt Heflin ... Sirius Flight himself ... found copies at the Barnes & Noble in Clear Lake, Texas, not far from JSC.To celebrate the book's release, he's giving one of his author copies away on our Facebook page. Check it out here. |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 11-03-2015 12:53 PM
Although the date and time has not yet been confirmed, there is one heck of a book signing shaping up at Space Center Houston. In addition to Milt Heflin and myself, John Aaron, Bob Carlton, Bill Moon, Rod Loe, Hal Loden, Jim Kelly, Jack Garman and Bob Heselmeyer have agreed to participate. Jerry Bostick and Chuck Deiterich are tentative attendees. Several others have been and will be invited, so this list is likely not yet complete! Stay tuned for more details! |
onesmallstep Member Posts: 1310 From: Staten Island, New York USA Registered: Nov 2007
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posted 11-03-2015 03:22 PM
Great! Sounds like a Spacefest for Controllers for those lucky to attend. |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 11-06-2015 07:40 AM
Dates and times for the signings Milt and I will be doing in Houston have been confirmed!On Friday, December 11, we will be signing books in the Building 3 cafeteria on site at Johnson Space Center. That event begins at 11 a.m., and is open only to NASA employees and contractors as Robert has noted below. The following afternoon, there will be a presentation on the book in Space Center Houston's Blast Off Theater at 1 p.m., followed by an epic book signing outside the Space Trader store at 2 p.m. Besides Milt and myself, those who have agreed to participate include: - John Aaron -- made the famous SCE-to-Aux call during the launch of Apollo 12, and played a key role in returning the crew of Apollo 13 safely to Earth.
- Arnold Aldrich -- worked the Systems console in the Mercury Control Center before becoming branch chief and overseeing the EECOM and GNC flight controllers in Houston. During the Apollo 13 crisis, he oversaw the critical checklist for re-entry procedures.
- Lee Briscoe -- a former Apollo-era backroomer who became a flight director during the Shuttle era. He was on console in mission control when the Challenger accident took place.
- Bob Carlton -- famously watched over the Lunar Module Eagle's dwindling fuel supply during the Apollo 11 lunar descent.
- Ed Fendell -- despite having only a two-year associate's degree in merchandising, he would one day be in charge of all things having to do with communications during the Apollo era.
- Jack Garman -- a Flight Dynamics SSR backroomer, Jack was on console and helped give Eagle the Go for landing during its infamous computer-alarm incidents during the Apollo 11 landing phase.
- Bill Gravett -- served as a Retro officer for the flights of Gemini 9, 10, 11 and 12, as a member of the simulation team during much of Apollo and as an EGIL during the Shuttle era.
- Charlie Harlan -- on the Booster console during the tense moments of the Gemini 6 launch pad abort, Charlie also served as an assistant flight director.
- Bob Heselmeyer -- was on console for one of his first shifts in the MOCR when the Apollo 13 accident took place.
- Jim Kelly -- another SSR backroomer who played a key role in putting together power-up procedures with good friend John Aaron during the Apollo 13 crisis.
- Larry Keyser -- an Operations and Procedures Officer and Assistant Flight Director during Gemini and Apollo, he was on Glynn Lunney's Black Team that took over for Gene Kranz during the first shift handover following the Apollo 13 accident.
- Hal Loden -- Lunar Module Control officer who was on console for the critical liftoff of Eagle from the lunar surface.
- Rod Loe -- the lead EECOM for the flight of Apollo 8.
- Glynn Lunney -- one of NASA's first four Flight Directors ... was on console as Apollo 8 slipped behind the first moon for the first time ... took over from Gene Kranz for the first shift handover following the Apollo 13 accident ... the lead Flight Director for Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.
- Merlin Merritt -- 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.
- Jerry Mill -- split his time between the SSR and Guidance console late in the Apollo program.
- Bill Moon -- the son of Chinese immigrants who grew up in rural Jim Crow Mississippi, Bill was the first minority to work in the MOCR.
- Bill Peters -- monitored Buzz Aldrin's spacesuit during the historic Apollo 11 moonwalk, and then during the Apollo 13 crisis, was in charge of the critical Lunar Module checklist.
- Gary Scott -- as the INCO on duty in the MOCR at the time of the Apollo 13 accident, battled communications problems caused when the explosion damaged the Service Module's High Gain Antenna.
- Dutch von Ehrenfried -- after working in the Mercury Control Center and as an Assistant Flight Director during Gemini and as a Guidance officer early in Apollo, Dutch also served as a spacesuit test subject during his years at NASA.
- Milt Windler -- one of the first two people from outside Flight Operations to be named to the role, Windler was the lead Flight Director for Apollo 13.
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Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 11-06-2015 09:04 AM
Rick, wow! That's phenomenal! Looking forward to attending.My review copy arrived just the other day and its on my short list to start reading. (For the benefit of readers unfamiliar, the Dec. 11 event on site at JSC will be open to employees only but the Space Center Houston panel and signing are open to the public.) |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 11-06-2015 11:13 AM
Robert ... thank you. As I said in Wheels Stop, Go, Flight! wouldn't have happened without you and collectSPACE. It was on this very message board where Colin Burgess and I first made contact, and that got my foot in the door with UNP and Outward Odyssey. You'll never know how much I appreciate this place. |
garymilgrom Member Posts: 1966 From: Atlanta, GA Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 11-08-2015 09:35 AM
Before my review I have some personal comments. I usually take notes while reading to help later reviews. I had to stop with this book as I found myself writing something from almost every page! I think this is one of the best books on Apollo. I'm also friends with author Rick Houston, having helped a bit on his last book about the Shuttle program.BOOK REVIEW The Apollo moon landing program has been written about from many perspectives – the engineering of the machines, the science returned from the moon, the management of complex programs, the dedication of workers across the country and the political reasons for it’s ultimate success. While the astronauts were on board the spacecraft they and their craft were watched over by a team of dedicated mission controllers and computers in NASA’s Mission Operations Control Room (MOCR). These are the people who calculated the rocket firings, orbital maneuvers, braking requirements, rendezvous coordinates and more – in many ways they flew the actual mission. This is the story of those people. This is a wonderful book that tells what went on behind the scenes at mission control. The training and simulations for missions are covered as well as the actual missions themselves. The book is full of first hand interviews with the people involved and they have generated nuances and details never uncovered before. For instance, many enthusiasts will be familiar with John Aaron’s “SCE to Aux” call as Apollo XII was launched into a thunderstorm, but the book has pages of details around this single call, from how the knowledge was originally discovered to the other critical calls made during this off-nominal launch. While the Gemini and Apollo spacecraft carried computers, these were ultimately back ups to NASA’s MOCR and Real Time Computing Complex. Authors Rick Houston and Milt Heflin have done an outstanding job of taking us back to those rooms, where men in their 20’s made life or death decisions during the flights. The book starts by explaining the location and function of each console then moves on to operations. Years ago there were big gaps in NASA’s worldwide tracking abilities and the consequences of these are explained as well. The Gemini missions are covered in full, then we move on. Tensions between different controllers or different ideas to solutions are decided by the Flight Director, who ultimately had complete authority over the mission. An incident tells how senior NASA management learned to not change decisions made by the Flight Director. The background and training of these people and movement of staff from the “Trench” to the back support rooms is covered. The book also does an outstanding job of bringing us inside the camaraderie of the Flight Controllers, their feelings during hectic but historic parts of their job and the respect they had for their co-workers, management and leadership. The heady days of Apollo can never be repeated, for engineering and computing advancements as much as many other reasons. Fifty years ago NASA was literally blazing new paths with each launch, and every astronaut's biography talks about the teamwork and dedication of the people on the ground behind their successes. This book opens the door to Mission Control and sits us beside its staff during some of the most wonderful and most harrowing moments in space history. The MOCR is now a Historic Landmark and the authors speak of the privilege to visit it and talk to the people who used it. The book does such a good job of putting us back in those times it also felt like a privilege to read about. I highly recommend this book to all NASA and Apollo enthusiasts. |
OLDIE Member Posts: 267 From: Portsmouth, England Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 11-16-2015 03:32 PM
For those of us "across the pond", who can't make the actual signing, is there any chance of fully signed books being made available? |
David C Member Posts: 1014 From: Lausanne Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 11-16-2015 05:37 PM
Good to see. I wonder what the chances of some of these guys (especially Garman and Aaron) getting to a more open event like Spacefest would be? |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 11-17-2015 08:06 AM
My contact at Space Center Houston has said that they will handle getting signed books to those who can't attend the event. As soon as I get contact information on how to order, I will post here. |
capoetc Member Posts: 2169 From: McKinney TX (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 11-22-2015 06:07 PM
Rick, much appreciation for letting us know regarding ordering signed copies of the book for those who cannot attend. I will have my credit card ready! |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 11-23-2015 12:08 PM
Several of you who can't attend the signing on Saturday, December 12 at Space Center Houston have asked about getting copies signed by the flight controllers who'll be present. The contact person to order is Sharon Glenn, and her email address is Sharon.Glenn@wdfg.com. You may also call to get on the list and order at 1-800-SHOP-SCH (746-7724). |
gliderpilotuk Member Posts: 3398 From: London, UK Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 11-24-2015 12:17 PM
Order placed for shipment to the UK. Sharon was very helpful. |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 11-25-2015 12:21 PM
Great ... I'm very glad (and relieved!!!) to hear that. |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 11-26-2015 10:13 AM
Glynn Lunney will be attending the book signing on December 12 at Space Center Houston! This brings to twenty-three the number of former MOCR and SSR workers who have agreed to participate. |
Spoon Member Posts: 143 From: Cumbria, UK Registered: May 2006
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posted 11-26-2015 10:36 AM
This is an incredible opportunity which I am so thankful for being able to take advantage of, albeit from across the pond. |
dss65 Member Posts: 1156 From: Sandpoint, ID, USA Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 11-30-2015 08:04 PM
I got on the list today via telephone. I'm really excited about this opportunity! |
RobertB Member Posts: 160 From: Israel Registered: Nov 2012
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posted 12-02-2015 12:27 PM
Will everyone be signing the books?You might need a foldout to hold them all |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 12-02-2015 01:46 PM
Everybody who shows up will be signing the books, and so far, nobody who agreed to attend has backed out. We may even have at least one more additional last-minute guest. Not promising anything ... just ... maybe. |
BMacKinnon Member Posts: 230 From: Waterford, MI. USA Registered: Jul 2007
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posted 12-02-2015 04:22 PM
Rick, I hope the final guest is someone that was at JSC today for an event! |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 12-05-2015 01:52 PM
I just received word that Jerry Bostick will likely not be able to attend the signing next week in Houston. His wife is in the hospital after experiencing a fall at their home last night. My apologies for this last-minute change... |
dss65 Member Posts: 1156 From: Sandpoint, ID, USA Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 12-06-2015 12:58 PM
Very sorry to hear that, Rick. I certainly hope Mrs. Bostick has a quick and complete recovery, and that she is not in pain. |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 12-09-2015 07:38 AM
Yesterday was a very tough day. My father-in-law Tom Reavis passed away very unexpectedly in his sleep, and I was the first one on the scene. His funeral will be Friday, so I will be unable to attend the signing at Johnson Space Center. However, the prints have been shipped to Milt's house, and I will fly out after the funeral in order to be at the Space Center Houston presentation and signing on Saturday. |
capoetc Member Posts: 2169 From: McKinney TX (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 12-09-2015 07:57 AM
Very sorry to hear about your father-in-law, Rick. Thoughts and prayers go out to your family.Some things are more important than a book signing... |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 12-10-2015 11:11 PM
This is the most difficult post I've ever made on collectSPACE, but I will be unable to attend the signing on Saturday at Space Center Houston. It has been a truly difficult last few days for the family, and as much as I'd love to be there, it's best that I stick around to be with my wife and kids. With so many of the former flight controllers and guests flying in from out of town, it would have been almost impossible to reschedule. This is the kind of people I dealt with in working on this book. Jerry Bostick, who'd previously said HE would be unable to attend due to an accident involving his wife, has now opted to take part and help out with the prints on my behalf. They were delivered to Milt's house safe and sound today, and will be in the capable hands of my friend Brad MacKinnon and Jerry come Saturday. |
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
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posted 12-11-2015 10:22 AM
Anyone else having problems with copies shipped by Amazon.com? I'm waiting advice about how to proceed now that the first two orders have been returned to Amazon by "someone" (not me, never saw the books), the first time because of damage (unclear as to the second).... |
Buel Member Posts: 649 From: UK Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 12-11-2015 12:09 PM
quote: Originally posted by Rick: This is the kind of people I dealt with in working on this book.
In a strange way, Rick, the sad events that led to your post, and what happened next (Jerry Bostick changing his plans) have perfectly illustrated what sort of people these men were. Quite incredible!! |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-12-2015 08:29 PM
Today's "Go, Flight!" book signing at Space Center Houston was a special treat. Rick, your absence was felt but understood, and condolences were shared. Milt Heflin delivered the pre-signing presentation and introductions with the help of Rick's pre-prepared slides, adding his own, often humorous comments to the talk (especially when it came to the part when Rick was planning to praise Milt for his guidance writing the book). After introducing all the "Unsungers" in attendance (including surprise guest, Gene Kranz), Milt ended the talk by a memorable reading of Ken Young's "A Visit from St. Kranz," which was both appropriate for the time of the year and set the tone for what surprises await readers in "Go, Flight!" The book signing then commenced. It was perhaps the longest signing table Space Center Houston (or for that matter, any venue that I have been to) has hosted, with 24 of the "Unsungers" autographing. (Rick, at some point, I am sure you are going to be asked to be the 25th in many people's books, mine included.) From the start of the line with Bill Moon to the last (Milt), everyone seemed happy to be there and chat with those waiting to have their books signed. Among those in line were current flight controllers and even an astronaut-turned-flight director, TJ Creamer.
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Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-12-2015 08:29 PM
A number of cS readers and members were in attendance, including Brad MacKinnon, who helped out in the morning with getting all the prints signed (and later in the day, made sure all the "Unsungers" were being cared to). Everyone I spoke to seemed to be having a great time and were thrilled to be in the presence of so much history.
I haven't had the chance to start reading "Go, Flight!" but I already know this will be a treasured addition to the shelf... |