Pic of letter written in case Apollo moon landing failed and astronauts died

[The Straight Story]

Both sides in the 1960s race to space knew these missions were dangerous. We sometimes forget how dangerous. In January of that same year, 1967, Americans Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee died in a fire inside an Apollo capsule.

Two years later, when Americans landed on the moon, the Nixon White House had a just-in-case statement, prepared by speechwriter William Safire, announcing the death of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, had they been marooned or killed. Death was not unexpected.



http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2011/03/18/134597833/cosmonaut-crashed-into-earth-crying-in-rage?ft=1&f=1026

[mb7588a]

1. speeches never given

I'm guessing the National Archives has a treasure trove of speeches never given and letters never sent. White House writers have been creating these "alternate ending" contingencies for decades. I'd love to see an exhibit of that.

[Pacifist Patriot]

4. That would be fascinating. When I first saw Ike's alternate D-Day letter...

years ago I wondered how much of this stuff is floating around out there.

[LibertyLover]

2. Ike had a statement ready in case he had to

pull the plug on the D-Day invasion after it started.

'Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone.'

Ike found it in his wallet about a month after the landings. I imagine this is fairly common for politicians so they aren't caught flat-footed by events.

[grasswire]

3. wow

that gave me goosebumps

[eppur_se_muova]

5. Some in American gov't were concerned that Soviets would plan a one-way Moon trip ...

because it would be easier/faster to develop the technology for a one-way trip. Observers on Earth would confirm that radio transmissions did indeed come from the Moon, and cosmonauts could beam back video and data to prove they had really landed. The return to Earth would then be faked, and Soviets would score a huge coup in terms of international prestige.

[DefenseLawyer]

6. Interesting how secular it is.

Other than the details about the funeral procedure, not one mention of God's will or heaven or anything. I can't imagine any politician giving such a speech today without invoking religion or God.