What would you ask an Astronaut?

I am working this weekend in Stuart FL where they are hosting a reunion for Apollo 11 and the members of that mission tomorrow night and Saturday. I should know more about who will be attending tonight.
These are going to be old hero's and will likely be tired of ridiculous questions. I am not sure what to ask any of them but I intend to be affable and inquisitive and ask some questions.

Did we really land on the moon?
They sent ahead some photos to adorn the walls with and judging by those we already have one person at the Hotel convinced they faked that landing so I am sure he will ask that.

What sort of questions would you ask an astronaut if you got a chance?

I would ask them about UFOs in space and if they could discuss any specific incidents.

Likely I would get no comment, or no worthwhile info, but it would be worth a shot.
Plus you would probably be able to tell if he was lying or dodging a straight answer.

What else would you want to ask?
How's zero-G? Is peeing in the suit's bag uncomfortable? What happens if you fart?

reply to post by newcovenant


Admittedly I'm not 100% convinced we landed on the Moon due to some of the things I've read and some of the material I've seen, however I do believe whether we did or didn't, we have at least been to space.

So, with that in mind, I'd probably ask what doe's it feel like to look at the Earth from outer space?

Not the most original question I know but I've just got a slight suspicion that to hear it from the horse's mouth would be a pretty enthralling couple of minutes.

Ask him if he ever felt the same when he returned to Earth and if no, then how does he feel now? Unsatisfied, longing to back, would never do it again even if you paid me etc.

That would be interesting to know, there is so much here to change your life and make you feel different, only a few people know what it’s like to experience that and come back.

aulis.com...ask him about the LEM

sorry i just had to hehe

Are dreams more vivid in weightlessness...do they feel more or less tired normally (I would guess less...the body is expending hardly any energy, but then again, it might trigger some primitive hybernation instinct)

Originally posted by Death_Kron
reply to post by newcovenant

 

Admittedly I'm not 100% convinced we landed on the Moon due to some of the things I've read and some of the material I've seen, however I do believe whether we did or didn't, we have at least been to space.

So, with that in mind, I'd probably ask what doe's it feel like to look at the Earth from outer space?

Not the most original question I know but I've just got a slight suspicion that to hear it from the horse's mouth would be a pretty enthralling couple of minutes.

That is an excellent question and the look on their face remembering should give me an idea as to the impression that sight might have made on their "humanity."

I like to look at shuttle footage www.nss.org... and various films that show the earth and the near earth space as it appears from a cockpit or an orbiter, as it would to an astronaut. Thanks for the reply. Maybe I will ask that.

Originally posted by SaturnFX
Are dreams more vivid in weightlessness...do they feel more or less tired normally (I would guess less...the body is expending hardly any energy, but then again, it might trigger some primitive hybernation instinct)

A very good question and I think one they might like to answer. I'll bet people don't ask this every day. I wonder if they remember their dreams as vividly. Do they get tired faster or slower in 0g and I wonder if they felt like napping more than on earth? Definitely, I'll ask something like this.

reply to post by jazzguy

I am not kidding they have a miniature version of this in the lobby. It is about 5 feet high. There is also a wall that appears to be painted with the lunar rover and we stand there and laugh at it saying..."We went around on the moon in that? Hard to believe." Looks a lot like a high school science project with the copper and the foil.

Originally posted by LestatG
Ask him if he ever felt the same when he returned to Earth and if no, then how does he feel now? Unsatisfied, longing to back, would never do it again even if you paid me etc.

That would be interesting to know, there is so much here to change your life and make you feel different, only a few people know what it’s like to experience that and come back.

edit on 28/7/2011 by LestatG because: grammer

Yes....Would you go back? If you could physically endure it of course, but would you do it again and how did it change your life? Also good...I will need to bring a little notebook. Thanks for the good questions.

Originally posted by StripedBandit
I would ask them about UFOs in space and if they could discuss any specific incidents.

Likely I would get no comment, or no worthwhile info, but it would be worth a shot.
Plus you would probably be able to tell if he was lying or dodging a straight answer.

What else would you want to ask?
How's zero-G? Is peeing in the suit's bag uncomfortable? What happens if you fart?

Everyone that knows me knows I will eventually ask the UFO question.
These others I may include if there is some kind of a natural disaster and we are trapped in the same building together for days. God forbid.

Originally posted by newcovenant

Originally posted by SaturnFX
Are dreams more vivid in weightlessness...do they feel more or less tired normally (I would guess less...the body is expending hardly any energy, but then again, it might trigger some primitive hybernation instinct)

A very good question and I think one they might like to answer. I'll bet people don't ask this every day. I wonder if they remember their dreams as vividly. Do they get tired faster or slower in 0g and I wonder if they felt like napping more than on earth? Definitely, I'll ask something like this.

Just wanted to pop that in there overall because your bound to get plenty of "nutty" questions..might want to start off with some very basic and good conversation non threatening questions first so they have hope it won't be nothing but conspiracy theories sort of thing, else be written off as one of "those guys".

Originally posted by Death_Kron
reply to post by newcovenant

 

Admittedly I'm not 100% convinced we landed on the Moon due to some of the things I've read and some of the material I've seen, however I do believe whether we did or didn't, we have at least been to space.

So, with that in mind, I'd probably ask what doe's it feel like to look at the Earth from outer space?

Not the most original question I know but I've just got a slight suspicion that to hear it from the horse's mouth would be a pretty enthralling couple of minutes.

I think I will ask this, and see if there is a "best representation" of this sight or experience I can see online. I mean what is the truest facsimile? There is a web-site wechoosethemoon.org that rebroadcasts transmissions of Apollo 11 from launch to landing on the moon. Think it is only audio though. Part of the JFK Library features.

I've been to Cape Kennedy in Florida, USA. There one can dine with an astronaut. I unfortunately never got to do that. The 2 main questions I would ask are - "Did you have UFO encounters?" and "How did the trip affect your consciousness afterwards?"

I met the crew of one of the Atlantis missions and they were all very cool!

A friend of mine worked on the program and they had a meet and greet for the friends and family of those who worked on the program so he invited me. My friend had brought me a picture of Atlantis to have all the astronauts who were there sign it. I got pictures with ones who where there and they all signed my picture. I did ask a few about ufos and aliens and if they believed in them. They all said absolutely

STS 132 Crew (Altantis)

I will say Piers Sellers was pretty funny. He was cracking me and my friend up.

I am going to some BBQ at the space center in a couple weeks and there will be astronauts there for part of the festivities. I will be asking them the same questions do they believe in aliens and ufos

Any updates?

How did it go and were you able to ask any of your questions or chance to have a talk?

Hope you did and it went well, and that he confessed everything

reply to post by LestatG


It was a zoo and cops were everywhere. Also hard to identify these guys. Neil Armstrong did not make it and I don't think Buzz Aldrin did either. Giffords was there however fresh from a recent mission as well as Apollo 11 Michael Collins. Many of the support crew were/are from locals in Florida and in particular the Stuart area for some reason. I could not ask any of the preplanned questions. I did meet General Stafford and a few others and managed to get a few pictures before I was shuffled off to one side. My lovely friend Nicole is also in the pics. She had a much easier time getting close! As soon as I find a story in the local news I will try and post a link or some of it here.

Apollo 11 Lunar Lander replica in the lobby.

Fred Hayes Apollo 13

Tom Stafford from Apollo 10 and Mr Schmidt, Apollo 16

reply to post by mblahnikluver


Good luck to you! All I managed was a few pictures above.
I hope you are able to get a few questions in.
Thinking about it I don't know what I expected but it is always good to be prepared...just in case.
Peace!

Looking up information on this 42 Anniversary of Apollo 11 I found this, a really cool video. Still searching the local news for some coverage of the event. Not a thing unfortunately.

NASA Anniversary - Apollo 11 Moon Landing - July 20 1969
www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org...:nasa-anniversary-apollo-11-moon-landing-july-20-1969&catid=1:l atest

How do you become and astronaut and who do I need to know?