One of the most common ways of finding this blog is through Google. The keywords people type into the monster search engine are useful for discovering more about what readers want (more Apollo 1, by the looks of it), and some people even key in full questions. Therefore, every week I’ll be going through some of the most used keyword / phrases and pointing people to the correct answer within the blog.

This has two functions:

1) If phrases are continually searched by different people, these posts will help locate the right answer quickly.

2) If someone looks for an answer here and does not find it, they can simply wait until the next update of Google Answering and know their query will probably be addressed.

Usability, we has it.

1. “astronaut lung cancer rates”

I cannot speak for the Shuttle astronauts, but as far as I am aware, only one Apollo astronaut has ever suffered from lung cancer – Jack Swigert of Apollo 13. I would be remiss if I did not mention that Swigert’s lung cancer was secondary; the primary growth was in his nasal passages. More here.

2. “moon hoax response to lro images”

While for some the LRO photographs were the “end” of the moon hoax, naturally the most determined conspiracy theorists have dismissed them as fakes. The arguments are the same usual bullshine about shadow angles – check the BAUT forum, or my post here on the hoaxers responses. None of the “big name” hoax peddlers have come out to officially denounce the pictures – yet. For more on the LRO, it has its very own category.

3. “astronaut died radiation”

Facepalm…

No astronaut has had the cause of their death listed as “radiation” – if it had happened, it would have been headline news. Furthermore, “radiation” in itself is rarely a cause of death. Famous radiation deaths, such as Marie Curie, contracted cancer because of radiation – but it was the cancer that caused their death.

4. “lunar landing fun facts”

While I’m not sure they qualify as fun, I did post some Apollo 11 trivia on the day of the anniversary. There’s 11 bits of trivia in total – see what I did there?

For a “fun” lunar landing, Apollo 12 is probably going to be your best bet.

5. “apollo 1 crew praying”

Here’s the photograph:

Grissom, White and Chaffee pose praying over the Command Module, following concerns over its safety.

6. “astronaut al bean quotes”

For my favourite ever Al Bean quote, see this post.

Here’s a few other quotes from the Apollo 12 LMP:

• “He’s got it made!” – referring to Pete Conrad’s landing on the Ocean of Storms.
• “If I were a scientist painting the moon, I would paint grey. I’m an artist, so I can add colour to the moon.” – on his paintings.
• “I have the nicest life in the world.”
• “We knew it was going to be difficult to get to the moon. We didn’t know how difficult.”
• “That was some sim!” – following the Apollo 12 launch being hit by lightning. “Sim” is “simulation”.
  

7. “lunar module forgot door handle”

There was no outer door handle on the lunar modules (this is discussed briefly here), but it is unlikely it was an oversight by Grumman (who built the lunar modules). In space flight, weight is everything – the Apollo 10 lunar module Snoopy, for example, was overweight. This meant even if they had attempted a landing with Apollo 10 (which some at NASA believed they should), it would not have been possible due to weight alone. An outer door handle was not considered essential, considering the astronauts were well aware of it.

8. “apollo 1 memorial plaque”

Here’s a photo of it:

A memorial plaque to the Apollo 1 crew.

You can click to enlarge. It reads:

In Memory Of

Those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that others could reach for the stars

AD ASTRA PER ASPERA

(a rough road leads to the stars)

God speed the crew of Apollo 1

It sits on the launch platform at Cape Canaveral LC-34.

What remains of LC-34.

LC-34 was dismantled following the launch of Apollo 7. There is also a dedication plaque:

The dedication plaque (Apollo 1) at LC-34.

Click to enlarge all photographs.

8. “collins space suit apollo 11″

As Michael Collins, Command Module Pilot, would not be walking on the moon, his space suit was lighter and more flexible than those worn by his crew mates. Here it is:

Michael Collins space suit, Apollo 11.

Collins was particularly well placed when it came to his space suit – he had been assigned the role of overseeing space suit production when he joined NASA. The suit recently went up for auction, with a guide price of £7,000 – £10,000.

9. “haystack snowcone”

‘Haystack’ and ‘Snowcone’ were the names initially given to the Apollo 11 space craft, which were later changed to Columbia and Eagle. I assume – but do not know – that “Snowcone” was the Command Module, given its triangular appearance, and “Haystack” the lunar module.

Jim Lovell of Apollo 8 and Apollo 13 suggested the name “Eagle” for the lunar module, and Columbia was a general consensus.

10. “apollo 9 success”

Apollo 9 was a hugely successful mission. Its accomplishments include:

• First manned flight of a lunar module.
• First rendezvous and docking of a lunar module.
• First two-man EVA

For more on Apollo 9, see its background page.