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9 Out-of-this-World Fun Facts About Apollo 11 You Won't Believe!

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Get ready to blast off into a world of fascinating trivia as we explore some out-of-this-world fun facts about Apollo 11!

1. Buzz's Mother's Maiden Name: Moon

Well, Houston, we had a Moon landing before Apollo 11 took off: Buzz Aldrin's mother's maiden name was, coincidentally, "Moon." Her full name was Marion Gladys Moon, and she passed away in 1968 at the age of 64. Buzz has talked about this fun coincidence in several of his autobiographical books and interviews, even joking that it may have played a part in his astronaut-selection process.
Source => snopes.com

2. Pen Saves Apollo 11 Mission

"Talk about a pen mightier than the sword; or in this case, a lunar lifeline to propel them back to Earth": During the Apollo 11 mission, Buzz Aldrin used a Duro Marker pen to fix a broken circuit breaker switch, crucial for activating the spacecraft's ascent engine, after accidentally hitting it with his life support backpack. The pen, which could function in extreme conditions, saved the day by engaging the circuit breaker and triggering the engine, ultimately aiding their return to Earth. Both the pen and broken switch can now be found on display at The Museum of Flight in Seattle.
Source => abcnews.go.com

3. New Cosmic Cadillac Moon Rover

Buckle up, lunar road-trippers: your next cosmic Cadillac is about to be souped up! General Motors is teaming up with Lockheed Martin to create a Moon-roving machine, equipped to handle tough terrain, frigid temperatures, and marathon moon-lit voyages: this new Lunar Mobility Vehicle (LMV) is designed for NASA's Artemis mission and will not only have greater reach, but a power-packed battery and, hold on to your helmets - autonomous driving capabilities!
Source => coolhunting.com

4. Nixon's Long-distance Moon Call

Ring, ring! Who's there? Long-distance at its finest, in a hue of emerald green! When President Nixon wanted to chat with Neil and Buzz, he couldn't just slide into their DMs or send a moon-emoji text, so he went old-school with an out-of-this-world call: On July 20, 1969, President Nixon used a now-famous green telephone in the Oval Office to speak to Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin while they took a lunar stroll, marking the longest-distance telephone call in history – truly one stellar conversation! Nowadays, this cosmic callmaker is on display at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum.
Source => archives.gov

Apollo 11's Bacon Cube Breakfasts

5. Apollo 11's Bacon Cube Breakfasts

In a universe where breakfast is king and bacon is the emperor of deliciousness, the Apollo 11 astronauts had the lunar gastronomic adventure of a lifetime: They relished bacon in cube form during three out of four of their breakfasts in space, even bringing them along for their first meal on the moon, all within their pre-planned, nutritionally balanced meals that could give meal-preppers a run for their money.
Source => popsci.com

6. Playtex-designed Spacesuits

When Neil Armstrong needed a bra for his moonwalk, Playtex answered the call: The Apollo 11 astronauts' spacesuits were actually designed by seamstresses from the International Latex Corporation, better known as Playtex, who adapted their expertise in crafting bendy bras and girdles to meet the strict safety standards of NASA. Thanks to these latex wizards, Armstrong and his crew donned carefully hand-sewn, custom-fitted space attire, making their out-of-this-world adventure not only safe, but comfortably stylish.
Source => glamourdaze.com

7. Apollo 11's Flawless Onboard Computer

Houston, we have a solution: The computer onboard Apollo 11, despite being a technological dinosaur compared to today's smartphones, didn't experience a single glitch or hardware hiccup during its lunar waltz, showcasing the brilliant engineering minds behind its creation.
Source => usatoday.com

8. Ingenious Flag Planting Technique

Houston, we have a solution: The famous Apollo 11 flag planting wasn't a moon-sized game of Tetris, but a work of engineering genius. NASA's very own "seamless" Jack Kinzler devised a clever two-piece flagpole system, crafted from lightweight anodized aluminum, weighing under 10 pounds for lunar-travel-friendly convenience. Astronauts hammered the lower section into the moon's surface before attaching Old Glory, creating a snapshot for the cosmic ages.
Source => forbes.com

9. Lego's Apollo 11 Lunar Lander Set

Houston, we have a problem...a Lego-tastic problem, that is! It appears that Apollo 11's legacy has reached astronomical heights in the toy department: Lego has unveiled an updated Apollo 11 Eagle lunar lander set, boasting over twice the number of pieces of its 2003 predecessor and adorned with shiny gold bits to mimic the real deal. Available for $99.99 on June 1st, this gravity-defying kit features a detailed interior and a Moon-like surface for some out-of-this-world Lego action, perfectly complementing their 2017 Saturn V rocket set!
Source => theverge.com

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