Summary
In this episode of StarTalk, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice discuss the film "First Man" about Neil Armstrong's first steps on the Moon. They are joined by former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, who shares his experience of meeting Neil Armstrong and his approach to tweeting from space. Massimino emphasizes the importance of focusing on the mission at hand and not getting distracted by other things. They also discuss Massimino's book "Spaceman" and share their thoughts on the film.
The conversation covers a range of topics related to the Apollo mission and Neil Armstrong's legacy. They discuss Armstrong's love for flying and being a test pilot, as well as his quiet and humble personality. They also explore the idea of whether NASA chose Armstrong to be the first on the moon because of his personality traits or his ability to focus on the job at hand. They touch on the tradition of having the commander stay inside while the pilot goes out during spacewalks and the authenticity of the film. Additionally, they mention the significance of Omega watches being the first watch on the moon.
The podcast also includes a conversation about Gene Kranz, a famous figure at NASA who is known for his quote "Failure is not an option." Kranz shares his personal story of how he came up with this mindset and how it helped him succeed in his career. He also talks about his experiences working with the Mission Control Team during the Apollo era and the importance of exploration in human nature. The conversation also touches on the risks and probabilities involved in space exploration, as well as the role of the flight director in ensuring the safety of the crew.
The episode provides insights into the mindset and experiences of legendary figures in the history of space exploration. They reflect on the collective effort of tens of thousands of engineers and scientists, as well as the hundreds of millions of taxpayers who supported the mission. They also discuss the humility and integrity of Neil Armstrong, who shunned interviews and returned to his life as a professor after the mission. The podcast also includes a sponsor message promoting CuriosityStream's documentaries and nonfiction titles related to space travel. Overall, this episode is an engaging and informative discussion about the Apollo mission and the legacy of Neil Armstrong.
