Array ( [0] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 903 [parent] => 23 [order] => 1 [lang_id] => ef386a0744e885bef51f220755de67be [title] => Pi Day [subtitle] => 13.03.2023 [header_img] => 0 [list_img] => upload/media/pi-day.png [summary] => In many parts of the world, March 14th, the 14th day of the 3rd month, is celebrated as "Pi Day" every year. [content] =>

PI DAY

This is because 3.14 is the first digits of Pi. Math enthusiasts around the world love to celebrate this infinite and never-ending number. Pi Day, which was first celebrated in 1988 at the San Francisco Exploratorium by Larry SHAW, a famous physicist, was first celebrated in our country in 2007. 

We Celebrated Pi Day With Our International Campers

Pi, named after the symbol π, the first letter of the Greek word for circumference, is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. No matter how big or small a circle is (from the size of our universe to the size of an atom or smaller), the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter is always equal to Pi.

Pi is usually rounded to 3.14 for simplicity, but its digits go on forever and do not have any repeating pattern.

Calculating the digits of Pi is one of the greatest joys of mathematicians. Until 1900, these calculations were done manually, but with the introduction of computers, it became a festival. In 2019, Emma Haruka Iwao, a Google developer in Osaka, Japan, set a world record by calculating the lower digits of the infinite number Pi to 31 trillion digits with the help of Google's cloud computing systems.

Since its discovery, Pi has been in our lives in many fields such as engineering, construction, GPS, simulation, radio, TV, telephone and energy production. Some historians are even debating whether Pi was used in the construction of the ancient Pyramids of Giza, as the structures are almost geometrically perfect.

Pi is also very important for space exploration. Let's take a look at some of its uses.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PI IN SPACE EXPLORATION

• Scientists study the physical structure of planets and asteroids by determining their volume, density and mass using Pi.
• Space explorers use Pi to search for exoplanets orbiting stars other than the Sun. Powerful ground- and space-based telescopes monitor how much light distant stars emit. When a planet passes in front of its star, the telescope sees a drop in the amount of light emitted. Scientists can determine the size of the planet using the percentage of this decrease and the formula for the area of a circle in Pi.
• To put a spacecraft into orbit around a planet, the spacecraft must be slowed down by the planet's gravity just enough and at exactly the right time to be pulled into orbit. Engineers determine how much this gravity will pull the spacecraft, how fast the spacecraft goes and the details of the new orbit. Using these numbers together with Pi, they can calculate exactly how much they need to apply the brakes.
• The Cassini spacecraft spent 13 years orbiting Saturn, observing the planet's majestic rings, moons and surface features. Twice during this mission, engineers used a technique called Pi transfer to change Cassini's orbit. Cassini's orbit was flipped 180 degrees to the opposite side of the planet in a directed pass. This allowed Cassini to see the planet and Titan in a whole new light.
• While no two Mars landings are exactly the same, they all share one thing in common: parachutes. Just like the Perseverance spacecraft that landed on, the surface of Mars on February 18, 2021, the spacecraft must be slowed down for a soft landing on the Martian surface. When designing a parachute, engineers have to take into account all kinds of factors such as the mass of the spacecraft, its speed, and the height of the landing site. The number pi helps engineers determine the size of the parachute to create the drag needed to slow the spacecraft down.
• Engineers use Pi to estimate the amount of uncertainty in the location where a Mars lander or rover will land. Landing on Mars is uncertain for many reasons, including winds, air density, the initial speed and position of the spacecraft as it approaches Mars from Earth. Prior to the Mars landing, many of these uncertainties can be modeled using mathematical distributions that include Pi in the calculations. When simulated together, the result is potentially kilometers of location uncertainty surrounding the intended landing spot. Engineers take this uncertainty into account and are careful where they aim, as was the case with the Perseverance rover that landed in the Jezero crater.
• Engineers use Pi to communicate with spacecraft in the deep space network to send messages and process what is sent back. Sending and receiving messages to and from distant spacecraft requires a network of massive antennas placed around the world. Together, these antennas make up NASA's Deep Space Network, or DSN. Engineers communicating with the spacecraft through the DSN use Pi in the math equations needed to send messages and process the ones sent back.
• The Mars rovers do not have joysticks or a steering wheel that can be used to steer them. Instead, the rovers receive commands from operators on Earth telling them when and how to move forward, take photos, turn their wheels and use their robotic arms. Some of these functions are measured in degrees and others in radians (circle slices), so Pi is regularly used to convert between the two.
• When scientists discover new exoplanets, one of the most important things they want to know is whether these worlds can support life as we know it. A "potentially habitable" area is a location at a safe distance from the star, close enough for water to turn into gas and not so far away that water turns into ice. Scientists use Pi to find the inner and outer edges of the habitable zone around a given star. And they use Pi, together with Kepler's third law, to calculate how long it takes an exoplanet to reach the orbit of its star, thus revealing its position and whether it is in the habitable zone.
• Pi is critical in calculating how much fuel is in spacecraft tanks and how fast the fuel travels through fuel lines.
• Just like Earth's ancient explorers, when spacecraft visit other planets and worlds, they make a map. Scientists use Pi in the surface area formula to work out how many images it would take to map the entire planet.
  

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE NUMBER PI

• Pi has been known and used by civilizations for about 4,000 years. The cute symbol for pi was introduced in 1706 by William Jones, an Anglo-Gaelic philologist (linguist) and has been in our lives for over 250 years.
• The exact value of pi can never be calculated, so we can never clearly express the circumference of a circle numerically.
• Many mathematicians believe that it is more accurate to say that a circle has infinite vertices than to say that it has none. They think it is reasonable to assume that an infinite number of vertices in a circle is related to the infinite number Pi.
• A Turkish mathematician, Gıyaseddün Cemşid Al-Kashi of Samarkand, first calculated the value of Pi to 16 decimals in 1436.
• People compete to calculate more Pi digits in a never-ending contest. In 2010, a Japanese engineer and an American computer wizard set the record for the most Pi digits, calculating Pi to 5 trillion digits. They used only desktop computers, 20 external hard disks and their brilliant minds for the calculations.
• The record for reading the most decimal places of Pi was set by Rajveer Meena at VIT University in Vellore, India, on March 21, 2015. Rajveer was able to read 70,000 decimal places and it took 10 hours!
• The pyramids, enigmatic structures declared as one of the seven wonders of the world, were built with Pi calculations.
• There is a language made of the number Pi. Some people loved Pi enough to invent a dialect. In "Pi-lish", the number of letters in each word matches the corresponding number Pi. The first word has three letters, the second has one letter and the third has four letters. This language is much more popular than you might think.
• Calculating Pi is a stress test for a computer. The graph showing the level of activity in the computer's processor works just like a digital cardiogram.
• Pi is an irrational number, meaning that the digit after the comma has no limit. Since this unbounded sequence of numbers never repeats itself, the numbers have always been arranged in different ways. Pi is literally infinite. But the number 123456 appears nowhere in the first million digits of Pi. This is a bit shocking because if one million digits of Pi does not have the sequence 124356, it is certainly the most unique number.
• Albert Einstein, one of the world's most famous scientists, was born on March 14, 1879.
• Even though we know trillions of pi digits, it's not really needed; even engineers at NASA round Pi to 15 decimal places when calculating interplanetary orbits.

In the past, we have celebrated Pi Day with various activities at Space Camp Turkey. Participants from the international camp program from the American School in Lahore, Pakistan, learned the meaning of Pi Day, the importance of the number Pi and its place in mathematics with a special lesson, as the 14th day of the 3rd month (3.14) is accepted and celebrated as "World Pi Day" on March 14 every year. Students learned that Pi (the Greek letter "π") is a constant in mathematics and is the symbol used to represent the ratio of approximately 3.14159. They celebrated Pi Day at Space Camp Turkey with various math games and fun activities, and took a "Pi Day Souvenir Photo".

Happy Pi Day!

[description] => In many parts of the world, March 14th, the 14th day of the 3rd month, is celebrated as "Pi Day" every year. [keywords] => pi day, what is Pi number, 3.14, March 14th, the meaning of pi number, the importance of pi number [extra] => [{"key":"","value":""}] [created_date] => 2023-03-13 14:43:37 [updated_date] => 2023-03-14 10:33:22 [lang] => en [active] => 1 [search] => 1 [facebook_piksel] => ) [1] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 886 [parent] => 23 [order] => 4 [lang_id] => f63ed8c7e22de8ca7edb806eb1afbb64 [title] => CUPOLA | International Space Station Observation Module [subtitle] => 01.12.2023 [header_img] => 0 [list_img] => upload/media/cupola-module.jpg [summary] => The International Space Station (ISS), which is a joint effort of 5 space agencies, including NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) is a unique and complex spacecraft orbiting the Earth at an altitude of about 200 miles. [content] =>

• What is Cupola module used for?
• Is Cupola module able to withstand harsh space conditions?
• What are the purposes of Cupola module?
• What are the disadvantages of Cupola module?

One of the most striking features of the International Space Station is the Cupola, a domed, windowed structure that provides a 360-degree view of the surrounding space. The Cupola was added to the International Space Station in 2010 and is located on the front of the station's "Tranquility" module.

The hexagon-shaped, 80 cm wide module has the title of the largest window in space with its 7 windows. The windows are made of high-strength, multi-layered glass and are designed to withstand harsh space conditions, including extreme temperature fluctuations, solar radiation and micrometeorite impacts.

What are the astronauts doing inside Cupola module?

Cupola serves various purposes aboard the International Space Station. It provides a unique viewing platform for the station crew, allowing them to observe Earth and other celestial bodies as they pass. It is also used as a control center for the station's robotic arm, which is used to carry payloads and conduct experiments outside the International Space Station.

In addition to its practical uses, the Cupola also serves as a psychological and entertainment space for the crew. The views of Cupola are truly breathtaking and the station crew often spend time looking at Earth and the stars. In fact, the Cupola has also been used as a venue for concerts and other cultural events, providing a unique setting for these events.

What are the challenges of being inside Cupola module?

Despite its many advantages, Cupola also has disadvantages. One of the main challenges is condensation that can form on windows due to temperature and humidity differences between the inside and outside of the environment. Problems can occur in certain parts of this orbit, and the crew must take measures to prevent and reduce condensation.

In addition, Cupola is exposed to harsh field conditions that can cause wear and tear to its structure and components. To overcome these challenges, it is equipped with a variety of systems and materials to maintain its structural integrity.

Let's end our blog with a video clip from the International Space Station. In this clip, we can see the active use of Cupola.

[description] => One of the most striking features of the International Space Station is the Cupola, a domed, windowed structure that provides a 360-degree view of the surrounding space. The Cupola was added to the International Space Station in 2010 and is located on the front of the station's "Tranquility" module. The hexagon-shaped, 80 cm wide module... [keywords] => what is cupola, cupola module, what is cupola module, entertaintment at ISS, the purposes of cupola module, advantages of cupola, disadvantages of cupola module, observation module in international space station, observation module at iss [extra] => [{"key":"","value":""}] [created_date] => 2023-01-10 09:32:42 [updated_date] => 2023-01-12 16:37:23 [lang] => en [active] => 1 [search] => 1 [facebook_piksel] => ) [2] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 880 [parent] => 23 [order] => 5 [lang_id] => bfc199e3c86d7010287b1777ad547eff [title] => Winter Solstice: The Darkest Day [subtitle] => 12.21.2022 [header_img] => 0 [list_img] => upload/media/winter-solstice.jpg [summary] => It's time for the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year and the first day of "astronomical winter"! [content] =>

Winter Solstice: "The Darkest Day"

Solstices are the longest and shortest days of the year on a planet, marking the beginning of the next season. The longest day of the year marks the beginning of summer and is called the summer solstice. The shortest day marks the beginning of winter and is therefore called the winter solstice. In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs in June, when the North Pole tilts directly towards the Sun. In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs in December, when the North Pole is tilted farthest away from the Sun, meaning that the Northern Hemisphere is as far away from the Sun as possible. The winter solstice is therefore the shortest day of the year with the least amount of sunlight.

• Why do we experience solstices?
• Do you know the impact of axis tilt on life on our planet?
• Brief information on the solstice
• Are there solstices on other planets?
• How to see your shadow at the winter solstice?
• How does daylight affect life?

Known as the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice is the day of the year with the least amount of daylight because less sunlight reaches the Earth. The good news is that each day after the winter solstice will start to last a little longer until the summer solstice in June, when there is the most daylight.

Why do we experience solstices?

The reason we experience solstices every year is that our planet's axis of rotation is tilted at an angle of 23.4 degrees. This means that the Earth's orbit around the Sun is not perpendicular and causes the seasons to form.

Thanks axial tilt...

Effects of Axial Tilt

Let’s consider the impact of this tilt in the Earth's axis on the potential for life on our planet. At this tilt, the Earth's orbit has enough influence to cause dramatic temperature changes between summer and winter. However, this effect is neither extreme nor long enough to render the planet uninhabitable for long periods. This moderate variability, which is the result of the tilt of the axis, has allowed life to develop slowly over the ages, allowing living things to survive.

The English word "solstice" is a combination of the Latin word "sol", meaning "Sun", and "stare", meaning "to stand still". As the Sun rises in the east and sets in the west (due to the Earth's rotation from west to east), its position in the sky changes throughout the year, depending on the season. During the solstice, the Sun reaches its highest and lowest point in the sky. These correspond to mid-summer and mid-winter, respectively, which are turning points in the Sun's journey. When the Sun reaches its zenith on the summer solstice, it begins its journey towards the horizon, and on the winter solstice it reaches its lowest point on the horizon. In the weeks before these turning points, the Sun appears to move very little. This is called a "solar standstill".

Earth is not the Only Planet with Solstice!

The solstice is also observed on any planet with an oblique axis of rotation. It is also worth noting that the seasons on other planets are not climatologically similar to those on Earth for several reasons. First, planets vary in their axial tilt. For example, Venus' axis of rotation is tilted by only three degrees. Because of this almost vertical tilt, there is much less seasonal difference between the summer and winter solstices on Venus than on Earth.

In addition, planets like Mars have less circular orbits than Earth. This means that their distance from the Sun varies more dramatically than on Earth, and therefore has a greater impact on seasonal temperature.

The Earth's axial tilt plays a much greater role in the formation of the seasons than its near-circular orbit. The Earth is closest to the Sun during the Northern Hemisphere winter, about two weeks after the solstice on December 21. The Earth is farthest from the Sun during the summer months of the Northern Hemisphere, about two weeks after the solstice on June 21.

What will happen to your shadow length on December 22nd?

On the winter solstice, when you stand outside at noon and look at your shadow, you can see the longest shadow you will see all year. The reason for this can be explained as follows: Every day, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, drawing a virtual arc across the sky on its journey.

The height of this arc changes during the Earth's annual orbital motion around the Sun. As our planet orbits around the Sun, one pole tilts towards the Sun while the other pole tilts away from it. During the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun, so the "height of the arc" - the angular distance of the Sun from the horizon - is low and therefore your shadow appears long.

For many people, the winter solstice marks the turning of autumn into winter. But there is a difference between the winter solstice, the "astronomical first day of winter", and the first day of winter, the "meteorological first day of winter". Meteorologists determine the first day of winter each year based on temperature records.

Life According to Changes in Daylight

Some plants and animals organize their lives according to changes in daylight. For example, when the days get shorter, leaves lose their green color due to less daylight and lower temperatures. Since ancient times, people all over the world have also paid attention to this annual rhythm. In cultures around the world, the winter solstice is celebrated. Fire and light are traditional symbols of celebrations on this darkest day of the year.

However, there are some benefits of long nights, especially for stargazers who don't mind cold winter conditions. Cold winter days reward observers with clear skies and lower humidity compared to the summer months.

May you have a happy winter solstice and a clear sky...

[description] => It's time for the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year and the first day of "astronomical winter"! Solstices are the longest and shortest days of the year on a planet, marking the beginning of the next season. The longest day of the year marks the beginning of summer and is called the summer solstice. The shortest day marks the beginning of winter and is therefore called the winter solstice. Check out our blog on December 21, 2022 winter solstice and more! [keywords] => when is winter solstice, what is winter solstice, winter solstice longest night, what does winter solstice mean, what date is winter solstice, solstice short information, winter solstice, winter solstice night, northern winter solstice, december 21 winter solstice features, winter solstice turkey, winter summer solstices, what is solstice, what does solstice mean, when is solstice, solstice date, solstice meaning, 21 december what will happen, 21 december characteristics, 21 december longest night, 21 december 2022, 21 december earth's position towards the sun, 21 december situation, 21 december where is the longest night, 21 december night day durations, 21 december shadow length, 21 december sun rays, 21 december solstice, information about 21 december, characteristics of 21 december, importance of 21 december, 21 december planets, information about 21 december, the effects of the axial tilt, the longest shadow [extra] => [{"key":"","value":""}] [created_date] => 2022-12-19 15:48:47 [updated_date] => 2022-12-20 13:29:48 [lang] => en [active] => 1 [search] => 1 [facebook_piksel] => ) [3] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 868 [parent] => 23 [order] => 7 [lang_id] => 3c587da010ba6cb473dfc0985faf66b1 [title] => The Partner Schools Science Program (PSSP) is Celebrating its 20th Anniversary This Year [subtitle] => 08.01.2022 [header_img] => 0 [list_img] => 0 [summary] => The Partner Schools Science Program was established in 2002 by our late Founder, Kaya Tuncer, and ESBAŞ Chairwoman of the Board, Mary Tuncer, in order to bring children from all over the world together with Turkish students. [content] =>

The Partner Schools Science Program (PSSP), which started in 2002 and set out with the goal of global friendship, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Within the year-long program, participants from different countries take part in an international project and receive STEAM-based education on space sciences. This education may even affect the future career plans of the participants. Thanks to the Space Camp Turkey Group Manager, Mr. Tolga Yıldırım, the program took its current form over the years, and has been continuing for 20 years without deviating from its goal.

 

Within the program, an impossible feat was achieved with the technological conditions of that day, and 179 video conferences were held among NASA, partner school, and Space Camp Turkey.

Although NASA's Digital Learning Network system was shut down in 2015, Space Camp Turkey, which took quick action under the leadership of Mr. Tolga Yıldırım, established its own Digital Learning Center in the same year. The center has held more than 1,400 video conferences since 2015 with NASA-based educational packages and aims to increase this number to over 2000 with the participation of different countries.

The program brought students together from different countries such as the USA, England, Italy, and Poland with Turkish students in the field of space sciences and STEAM for one academic year. Afterwards, students from partner schools had the opportunity to meet face-to-face at Space Camp Turkey during the 6-day summer camp program, which was held under the name of E-Pal week. There was an utterly different excitement in the 2 different E-Pal weeks held this year. The 20th anniversary of the program was celebrated with great enthusiasm.

 

Students, who carried out researches and projects on the subjects they decided together with their teachers among from 10 training packages such as Mission Patches, Toys in Space, Solar System Vacation, and Planet Hunters, visited Space Camp Turkey on the weeks June 19-25 and June 26 - July 2.

  

As part of the events, the participants prepared their stands and gave presentations in order to show the studies they carried out throughout the year to other PSSP participants. Among the projects, there were many futuristic and realistic projects such as magnificent mission patches, toys that can be played with easily in a microgravity environment, and future space station models.

Arno den Toom, a plant biotechnologists and Space Camp Turkey alumni gave a magnificent presentation on growing plants in outer space, on the Moon, and on Mars, to the PSPP participants at Space Camp Turkey.

In the studies carried out with the Turkish Radio Amateurs Association (Izmir Branch), presentations were given about the amateur radio station used in the space station and amateur radio. Afterwards, participants from different countries had the opportunity to establish a radio connection with amateur radio operators in their own countries. During this amazing activity, the campers learned how to use the radio and how to become an amateur radio operator.

During the Special Events Night, prepared for campers to introduce their own cultures to the other campers from different countries, campers both had fun and experienced cultural exchange through local dances of Poland, presentation of cities of Romania, the history of Slovenia and Turkish traditions.

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of PSSP at the barbecue party, the last event held before graduation, the campers had fun with today's hit songs and local songs, and had the opportunity to exchange small souvenirs they brought with them.

 

Participants, receiving a certificate of participation in the Partner Schools Science Program and the certificate of participation to Space Camp Turkey during graduation ceremony, were also awarded with team awards and individual awards. Once again, we congratulate all of our campers who participated in the Partner Schools Science Program for one academic year and graduated from the program by participating in the special E-Pal Week held at Space Camp Turkey!

[description] => The Partner Schools Science Program was established in 2002 by our late Founder, Kaya Tuncer, and ESBAŞ Chairwoman of the Board, Mary Tuncer, in order to bring children from all over the world together with Turkish students. [keywords] => The Partner Schools Science Program, PSSP, global friendship, E-Pal Week, Partner Schools Science Program, The Special Events Night, different countries, Turkish Radio Amateurs Association, Space Camp Turkey alumni, Mission Patches, Toys in Space, Solar System Vacation, Planet Hunters, STEAM, NASA's Digital Learning Network, video conferences, STEAM-based education, NASA, partner school, Space Camp Turkey. [extra] => [{"key":"","value":""}] [created_date] => 2022-07-29 13:14:43 [updated_date] => 2022-09-05 12:49:42 [lang] => en [active] => 1 [search] => 1 [facebook_piksel] => ) [4] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 862 [parent] => 23 [order] => 8 [lang_id] => 95a9558a323f4ed5d7b69c0fe1801f7c [title] => Apollo 11 - Happy 53rd Anniversary of this Giant Leap of Mankind. [subtitle] => 07.20.2022 [header_img] => 0 [list_img] => upload/media/apollo-111.png [summary] => 53 yeras ago today; the words of Neil Armstrong, who took the first step on the moon, announced the magnificent achievement of mankind to the universe: "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind..." [content] =>

On September 12, 1962, at the Rice University stadium in Texas, the following words of US President John F. Kennedy would mark the next 10 years, and humankind would set foot on the lunar surface for the first time: “We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard”

This speech began to form the west side of breakthroughs in space in many ways. In the east, the Soviet Union sent the first human, Yuri Gagarin, to space nearly a year before this speech and took the lead in the space race. The studies on the subject began quickly. But everything was still very new. Some special situations, producing special clothes suitable for space, and docking with each other in the space environment, which is called rendezvous would be learned step by step. The project of taking the first American into space, called Mercury, had come to an end, and 6 American astronauts were sent into space. The studies began for a new program to learn about all these issues, to discover different subjects, and find solutions to problems. The name of the program was "Gemini".

Mercury Program Crew

Astronauts, who were sent into space one by one in the Mercury program, were sent into space in pairs in a capsule in the Gemini program. During this program, NASA gained experience in topics such as extravehicular activities, docking-undocking, living in space for a long time, and NASA was almost ready to go to the Moon by the end of the program.

Ed White - Gemini Program - First Space Walk

The influence of Wernher von Braun, a German rocket engineer, was incredible in the program, which was called the "Apollo Program". Braun was already working for NASA on powerful rocket engines and bodies. However, the height of the rocket he was going to make now would be exactly 110 meters, and after 4 days of the journey in outer space, the rocket would carry human beings to the Moon.

Dr. Wernher von Braun - İsmail Akbay (The first Turkish Engineer to work at NASA)

The Saturn rockets consisted of 3 different groups. These; Saturn I, which was used for test flights, Saturn IB, which was a modification of Saturn I for the Apollo program and which would later carry the first American space station Skylab to space, and Saturn V, the 110-meter-long rocket carrying human beings to the Moon.

Saturn V Rocket

On January 27, 1967, there was great excitement at Kennedy Space Center. There was a Saturn IB rocket standing on the launch pad and the Apollo capsule atop the rocket. Astronauts were making final preparations for Apollo 1 which was scheduled for February 21 as the first mission of the Apollo Program.

Three astronauts, Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee, entered the Apollo capsule and began their work. However, since it was the first flight of the program, there were some problems. Even, Gus Grissom said to his friends at ground control due to a malfunction caused by the microphone, "How are we going to get to the Moon if we can't communicate between two or three buildings?” he lamented. A much bigger problem awaited them a few minutes later.

Since the capsule was not yet on a real mission, the capsule was completely filled with oxygen instead mixed with nitrogen. Since the oxygen can cause other materials that burn to ignite more easily and to burn far more rapidly, a tiny spark inside the Apollo 1 capsule turned into a fire. Although there were those who tried to help, the inwardly opening cover of the capsule could not be opened due to the pressure created by the fire inside, unfortunately, 3 professional astronauts lost their lives.

Apollo 1 Crew

Deke Slayton, the executive of the space programs, announced after the event that the missions will be carried out unmanned until everything is sure. Afterwards, all missions were carried out unmanned until the Apollo 7 mission. Astronauts orbited the Earth with Apollo 7, orbited the Moon with Apollo 8, and tested the Moon landing module on Apollo 9. In Apollo 10, almost everything was completed except landing on the Moon, the astronauts returned back to Earth within 15 kilometers of the Moon's surface as a part of the mission.

Apollo Mission Patches

On July 16, 1969, three astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin and Michael Collins took their places in the Command Service Module. When the clock hit 13:32 (GMT), the countdown was completed and the 110-meter Saturn V rocket started the journey of 384,000 km with all its glory and roar. They reached lunar orbit on July 19. Soon after, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin moved on to the Lunar Landing Module, which was called "Eagle" for that mission, to become the first humans on the lunar surface. On July 20, 1969, at 20:17 GMT, the Eagle landed on the Moon's surface.

The words of Neil Armstrong, who took the first step on the moon, announced the magnificent achievement of mankind to the universe: "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind..."

Happy 53rd anniversary of this giant leap of mankind.

[description] => 53 yeras ago today; the words of Neil Armstrong, who took the first step on the moon, announced the magnificent achievement of mankind to the universe: "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind..." [keywords] => Apollo 11, Neil Armstrong, One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind, Yuri Gagarin, Mercury program, 6 American astronauts, Gemini program, NASA, Apollo Program, Werner von Braun, Dr. Werner von Braun -İsmail Akbay, Saturn I, Saturn IB, Skylab, Kennedy Space Center, Apollo 1, Gus Grissom, Ed White, Roger Chaffee, Apollo capsule, Apollo 7, Apollo 8, Apollo 9, Apollo 10, Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin, Michael Collins, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind", [extra] => [{"key":"","value":""}] [created_date] => 2022-07-19 11:17:37 [updated_date] => 2022-07-20 14:16:38 [lang] => en [active] => 1 [search] => 1 [facebook_piksel] => ) )