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As NASA returns to the moon with the first lunar launch in a decade, and with the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 just around the corner some 100 former space trackers, their families and friends from Carnarvon days, will be travelling from the ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, Victoria, and WA to gather at Wanneroo near Perth, Western Australia, to again cecelebrate that historically unique event.
(1888PressRelease) June 30, 2009 - Organiser Terence Kierans, now 78, said the increasing ages of the tracking team was a strong factor in arranging the reunion. “The average Australian was not even born when Armstrong set foot on the moon”, he said. “It’s important that people either become, or remain, aware of the historical importance of the Carnarvon Tracking Station; it played a large part in the history of humankind. If they are not reminded, then that history will be forgotten”.
The Tracking Station opened at Carnarvon in 1964, allowing Australia to continue playing a vital role in some of the world’s most important space programs, tracking many NASA’s missions, including the early Gemini missions, the Apollo missions, including the moon landings, other lunar programs, the Skylab space station and exploration of other planets (including the Viking and Voyager missions).
Undoubtedly, the opening of the NASA space tracking station at Carnarvon had the biggest impact on the town’s social and infrastructure growth. It became the base that relayed the “go” command for the Trans Lunar Insertion (TLI) which actually sent the Apollo 11 spacecraft from earth orbit on its way to the moon. The station was finally closed in 1974 because it became outmoded.
For further information, contact: Terence Kierans 618 9304 6983 ### |
