Astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell (Apollo 14) Interview - COMING SOON

Dr. Mitchell.

I too, ask for your comments regarding the post flight interview with Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Mike Collins.

These men do not act as if they have just returned from mans first steps on another world. These men should have been excited and overjoyed by their accomplishments and experiences. This was bigger than winning the Super Bowl, the NBA Championship, and the World Series all wrapped up in one.

They truly look like men obligated to speak with the press but were able to tell little of what they experienced. These men did not appear elated by their greatest experience in all of mankind's history, they look quite uncomfortable and scared to say anything other than what they were allowed to say.

From watching the video, these men did not want to be there.

Your comments and possible insights will be most appreciated.

[edit on 9-10-2008 by Oldnslo]

Dr. Edgar Mitchell,

Thank you for taking the time to address these questions. Only two questions:

1. Did you observe any ships or craft on or near the moon not of Earthly origin?

2. Did you observe any structures, buildings or objects on the moon (other than the lander and other Earthly equipment) that you suspected or knew to be artificial in origin?

Thank you again for making this appearance!

Dr. Mitchell,

With your experience and knowledge, where should mankind go in further exploring our solar system?

What should the goal of our space program be and why?

Do you believe that we as a species should seek to spread life throughout our solar system and galaxy or is it wrong to contaminate other worlds with the 'seeds of earth" ?

Greetings Dr. Mitchel.

I remember watching every single Apollo mission, including yours. What a great achievement for our country and the world! I salute you and all the other Apollo astronauts.

With current world events, the war, terrorism, economic hardships, an election year, there really has not been much focus on returning to the moon lately, at least in the scope of the "radar" sense.

Do you think that with all these other issues going on, that President Bush's return to the moon by 2020 plan might get delayed? If it does get sidetracked, what is your opinion on the impact it will have on our space program and do you think that if such a delay were to occur, in your opinion, would that drive the private sector of space exploration even more.

Thank you for your time!

Cheers!!!!

Mr. Mitchell, I want to thank you very much for being willing to do the interview. It is highly appreciated, and I very much look forward to listening to what you have to tell us.

I am of course very interested in everything you can share with us regarding the moon and the fantastic Apollo mission. But I hope that you also will have time to tell us a little about the research at IONS - the Institute of Noetic Sciences - which you took part in establishing in 1973.

Best regards,
Ziggystar60

The vision for creating the Institute of Noetic Sciences came in 1971. Nations throughout the world had galvanized around the exciting frontier of space exploration. The potential for scientific understanding of our world seemed unlimited to a naval air captain named Edgar Mitchell. He was a pragmatic young test pilot, engineer and scientist; a mission to the moon on Apollo 14 was his "dream come true." Space exploration symbolized for Dr Mitchell what it did for his nation as a whole—technological triumph of historical proportions, unprecedented mastery of the world in which we live, and extraordinary potentials for new discoveries.
But it was the trip home that Mitchell recalls most. Sitting in the cramped cabin of the space capsule, he saw planet Earth floating freely in the vastness of space. He was engulfed by a profound sense of universal connectedness—an epiphany. In Mitchell's own words: "The presence of divinity became almost palpable, and I knew that life in the universe was not just an accident based on random processes. . . . The knowledge came to me directly."
Mitchell faced a critical challenge. As a physical scientist, he had grown accustomed to directing his attention to the objective world "out there." But the experience that came to him in space led him to a startling hypothesis: Perhaps reality is more complex, subtle, and inexorably mysterious than conventional science had led him to believe. Perhaps a deeper understanding of consciousness (inner space) could lead to a new and expanded view of reality in which objective and subjective, outer and inner, are understood as co-equal aspects of the miracle and mystery of being.
After his safe return "home," Mitchell sought out others who likewise felt the need for an expanded, more inclusive view of reality. They resolved to explore the inner world of human experience with the same rigor and critical thinking that made it possible for Apollo 14 to journey to the moon and back. In 1973, this small group of explorers founded the Institute of Noetic Sciences—derived from the Greek word nous, meaning something close to "intuitive ways of knowing."

www.noetic.org...

Originally posted by seagull

You spoke of a "sense of universal connectedness" could you possibly expound upon that a bit more?

i dare to say that this oneness can be experimented only;

to be understood no words or any demonstration of the intellect will do, because intellect IS JUST NOT consciousness

great thread thks

Dr. Mitchell,

I must start off by saying one simple thing: Your accomplishments outshine those of the common person by light years, and I respect you greatly for all of them, as I think most people on earth truly should (save the Amish, I would say... as they don't really 'like' technology, let alone travel to the moon, I would assume ), anyways, to my question:

I realize that others have asked this one already, but the third part of the question, being the most important, was left right out, and that is this:

Do you believe that we in Generation 'Y' will live to see the day when full disclosure is offered to the masses... And if so, do you believe our current economy/society would be too egocentric to have this information destroy our culture... And thirdly, do you think our current society/culture DESERVES to live on as it has been, or would this change be for the betterment of mankind as a whole, uniting us in a way that no war, nor boundaries of country, nor anything else, earth-born could?

In closing, since I was a child, the one thing I have always wanted to behold was the entire earth, with the naked eye. The beauty of Life, The Universe, and Everything that we humans call home, in one glance. I can see how returning 'home' from your journey to the Moon could have been such an amazingly life changing event. I can only hope to behold such a sight at some time in my life. Do you find yourself hoping to see this sight again, or would you say that once was enough for the message to get across?

Thank you Dr. Mitchell, for your time, and participation with this thread/subject, and thank you ATS staffers for setting this one up. Once again showing me why I love this site, and frequent it so often (possibly too much, to be honest).

Great work as always.

Jepherson

I only have one question: "Have there been any replies from Dr Mitchell?" I haven't seen one yet. Am I missing something, or is this a waste of time. Don't mean to be disrespectful to the man at all. I just don't see any replies to all of you questions fellow ATS'ers.

The Replies will be on the show when it premiers as the member questions are asked of him, in his Own Words. We are Radio.... remember?

Dave

reply to post by Oldnslo


Oldnslo.....

Please do NOT fall prey to the nonsense from the Internet, especially YouTube, if this is what led you to write this comment.

Understand that.....and perhaps Doctor Mitchell will be able to fill in the gaps, as he WAS there!!

I've seen too much baloney, not only here on ATS, but on other sites, about how Apollo was "faked". I'm getting sick and tired of it!!

As a retired airline pilot, I have a certain ability to appreciate what those brave men, in the Space Program, did. They were, for the most part, Test Pilots, used to the 'cutting edge' of new technology....I think someone at Lockheed coined the term 'bleeding edge'....and that is the term I like to remember.

I am particularly incensed by this repeated "nonsense" about the press conference, of Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins.

To imply that those three heroes were somehow 'hiding' something, is worse than worse!!!!

Think about it....you just did something NO ONE else ever did, you had the scrutiny of the World on you, the entire time. Now, you left the Moon, and spent about another THREE DAYS to return to the Earth....knowing that, if it went badly, you'd die on re-entry....AND, because of sillyness, you NOW have to be 'quarantined' in the Airstream trailer, on board the Carrier....and all you really want to do is see your familily....but you have to 'play the game, and take a "phone call" from the President...all the while, being in a 'fake' isolation.....

You've just spent the last several WEEKS being in close contact with these same men....men that you are NOT attracted to, sexually....but you rely on each of them for your life....and ALL of you miss your Familiies....

And, you wonder why the Astronauts looked stressed, after returning to the Earth????

reply to post by Dave Rabbit


My Bad....

Sorry Dave (walks away with tail between legs)

reply to post by weedwhacker



Maybe the problem is due to Nasa's credibility.

For example, why would they airbrush photos before selling them to the public? Why would they film a "moon landing" in a studio?

www.youtube.com...


Also, in his book "Dark Mission", Hoagland documents a number of instances where NASA has been less than honest.

reply to post by TortoiseKweek


Yeah... no worries. This is a discussion board and lots of folks forget that when we do something it will be in Audio Form. You might be surprised to learn that Dr. Mitchell was one of the hardest guests to secure for all the shows that we have done so far. When you take a second and look at WHO we have interviewed so far, that tells you how busy Dr. Mitchell is and how sought after he is for doing interviews.

The membership should be very proud that they are going to have this unique opportunity to ask a question and hear him respond directly back to you.

Dave

reply to post by anonymousATS


Anonymous....seriously???? You want to bring an obviously 'faked' video, that was a long-observed spoof, as a joke???? You want to bring this into a serious discussion??!!??

OK, now PROVE that that particular video is true....ball is in your court.

Originally posted by weedwhacker
reply to post by anonymousATS

 

Anonymous....seriously???? You want to bring an obviously 'faked' video, that was a long-observed spoof, as a joke???? You want to bring this into a serious discussion??!!??

OK, now PROVE that that particular video is true....ball is in your court.

The video was not a cheap production. The makers obviously had some serious resources. Have you ever encountered any form of media press release or other credible info saying this was a spoof? If so, post it. If not, you've got nothing to stand on.

Either way, this vid has been at the heart of arguements going on for several years that NASA did not go to the moon. So.... in that capacity, it has served as a negative image of NASA.

Personally, I believe we went to the moon multiple times. Having said that, I would not believe everything NASA says. For instance, the shuttle video of the "tether incident" reveals what I believe are unidentified spacecraft. NASA usually proclaims such anomalous items are "ice crystals".

reply to post by weedwhacker



Weedwhacker, my post is another of my attempts to get an answer to this question. I've been asking this one for more than 15 years. It is based on an indirect comment made by a member of NASA with direct contact with the Gemini and Apollo crews.

For the record: I AM A TOTAL BELIEVER IN MOON LANDINGS.

I was raised in Canoga Park, CA a few miles from the Rocketdyne Plant and the Test facility in Santa Susana Pass. Starting around 1959, everyone heard them test everything they built and tested. The night they first tested a Saturn 5 engine, half of the sky above the San Fernando Valley was lite up. The ground shook like a 5.0 earthquake. Everyone was in the streets wondering what was going on.

Valley kids of the 1960's "lived" with our efforts in space as many of our parents were employeed in one way or another with many of the NASA contractors in the area. It was a great time and a great place to grow up.

In the past, I have had the opportunity to ask this question of NASA personel that would have this knowledge, but all have refused to answer this question.

So, once again, when this opportunity came up, I thought this might be a good time to submit this question to a person which might have the answer. I have my reasons for asking but it has nothing to do with the posted video in this thread. I also have no knowledge as to the authenticity of this video.

Weedwhacker, I appreciate your concern, but don't worry about Old as I am not easily taken in by anything, much of which is posted here on ATS.

I do enjoy your posts and comments and you are more than welcome to straighten me out anytime you feel its necessary.

reply to post by anonymousATS


Anon...it is QUITE clear this is a 'spoof' because of the obvious camera 'shake', as if it's being hand-held. Everyone knows the the original camera, for the live stepping onto the Moon was from a camera deployed from the MESA in the Lander compartment.

The 'joke' of the lights' falling down and thus becoming an 'outtake' is a bit like the "Red Bull" joke of a commercial.

Anyone who has done any REAL Hollywood Production projects knows that lights 'falling' from the "ceilling"....or any part of the set, just doesn't happen....and certainly not as depicted in this YouTube clip!!!

If something DOES fall, during a shoot.....it is a serious event!!! People can be seriously injured....and gaffers responsible wil be held accountable.

But, irrespective, I can assure you that a bunch of lights, as depicted in that YpuTube clip, could NOT light an alleged "Moon Set" in any way, shape or form to comport with what was photographed, by the Astronauts...

There was ONE light source (something known as the SUN) for every photo opportunity, while on the surface of the Moon.

Here's something that, perhaps, some of our younger members need to be reminded of: The Moon orbits our planet Earth, in about 29 days....give or take.

Sometimes it's 28 days, sometimes it's 30 days.....but it is not an exact relationship, because NOTHING is that exact in our Solar System....not even our planet's orbit around the Sun!!

I'll come back to this, after I focus on the Moon. Our one natural satelite, our Moon, happens to orbit our planet (Earth) while it also orbits around its own axis.....in such a way that it continually shows about one face to us (actually, there is a slight variance....we see, from Earth, about 19 percent of the Moon, either way....but, from our vantage point, it is neglible).

So, to summarize....we all know that one 'Day' on Earth is how we define 24 hours. THIS is how we've determined --- how we've broken down the rotational perieod of the planet we live on, and depend on for life.

Since our planet rotates, we have Day and Night....thusly, our sleep cycles evolved.

We also know what a 'year' is....we know that we have 'seasons' because of the axis tilt of our planet....

ALL of this is important to understand the next part: The Moon, our 'Moon', is very close to the Earth, and is tidally 'locked' because of its proximity.

I say 'tidally' because we see the tidal effects, that can be attributed by the Moon's influence, as it orbits our planet.

In fact, the Earth-Moon system could be considered a "dual-planet"....in fact, even, a failed "Dual" Planet, since the 'other' planet (the Moon) is too small and does not have the gravitational 'oomph' to fully qualify as a 'second planet'.

But, imagine if it DID!!

Alas, the Moon is not near the Mass of the Earth....even given its comparative size....it still lacks the mass, and has not the hot inner interior to keep it active.

However, THIS is the most important reason to to begin to build bases on the Moon!! For the simple reason....it IS the best and most obvious place, besides LEO, for Humans to expand off of this one Planet.

Also, the Moon has a much lower Gravitional well, in order to launch more exploratory missions throughout the Solar System, and hopefully beyond.

AND, it's nearby....to the Earth. What a perfect base to expand from? Given all of the suggestions above....

Originally posted by weedwhacker
reply to post by anonymousATS

 

Anon...it is QUITE clear this is a 'spoof' because of the obvious camera 'shake', as if it's being hand-held. Everyone knows the the original camera, for the live stepping onto the Moon was from a camera deployed from the MESA in the Lander compartment.

The 'joke' of the lights' falling down and thus becoming an 'outtake' is a bit like the "Red Bull" joke of a commercial.

You say it's a spoof. Ok ...... suppose you tell everyone who, what, where and why. Details please.

reply to post by anonymousATS


Well, the who, when and why I don't know. The 'how' should be obvious.

The original was probably done as a commercial, originally. It has that 'Red Bull' quality about it....the set, the 'spacesuit', the production values....not a cheaply made film.

But, as I've said, the POV from the camera is simply non-consistent with the actual events of Apollo 11. And, besides.....the 'light fixture' that swings down is obviously a joke....multiple light bulbs would have produced multiple shadows....something not seen at ALL in any Lunar EVA photos.

I once saw a great documentary, either on Discovery or the History Channel. They went out into the desert, at night.....used one giant spotlight to simulate the Sun....and NOTHING that they could film looked anything like what we see from the Apollo footage.

There is NO WAY to simulate a vacuum environment, especially the 1/6th gravity, here on Earth. (Unless there is some sort of "Star Trek" technology that exists today).

The soil on the Lunar surface is unique to that body, since it has accumulated over millions of years, after multiple impacts from foreign bodies. AND no erosional forces to change anything....it is essentially pumice, ground into fine dust....that is the Lunar soil, at the surface.

Anyone who was in Washington State when Mt St. Helens erupted will know what I'm talking about. The ash from a volcanic eruption is very similar to Lunar surface 'soil'....I put the word soil in quotes, to differentiate it from what we know here, on Earth, as 'soil'. Volcanic ash, ground into a fine dust, will not grow food. In fact, in an atmospheric environment, the finer elements of Lunar soil might get kicked up, and billow around, and cause breathing problems. Think of that "Peanuts" (tm) character....forget his name, but everywhere he went, a cloud of dust followed.

So, I've rambled a bit....I hope Dr. Mitchell may see this, I would be honored. Perhaps he could correct some inaccuracies....because HE was there, I of course, was not.

Here are my questions for Dr. Mitchell

1) What is your opinion of Richard C. Hogland and the work he does? Further more the information he presents in "Dark Mission"

2) What do you think of possibly having the private sector in space exploration and public disclosure of the info that they find there?

3) What do you think of SETI and not having a major discovery since the now famous "WOW" signal?

4) What are your views of future missions to the moon and possibly Mars? Should it be a strictly US mission or can we join forces with the world like Kennedy wanted to do in the 60's with the first Moon mission as noted in "Dark Mission"?

5) If there is an interplanetary mission to Mars, should the vessel be named "Enterprise"?