On July 16, 1969, the United States launched Apollo 11 from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, marking the first-ever moon landing attempt to put men on the moon. The mission, crewed by astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, and Michael Collins was the culmination of years of scientific research and testing. While we know the mission was a success, things were not as clear back in 1969 and the US government prepared for it with contingency plans and emergency speeches if things went sideways.
The Unreleased Moon Landing Letter of Failure
Although NASA always boasted that failure isn’t an option for the moon landing, the inherent risks of this endeavor coupled with the sheer scale of the plan meant the US government had to be prepared for alternative scenarios. Failure didn’t just mean the rocket not taking off, the US covered various contingencies such as the rocket exploding, the astronauts being killed, and perhaps most disturbing of all, if circumstances prevented their return to Earth.
While this thankfully did not happen, NASA and the government prepared for every possible moon landing outcome, including by preparing emergency speeches that would summarize the events. To help with this plan, speechwriter William Safire drafted a contingency speech for President Richard Nixon in case the astronauts were left stranded in space.
This speech was intended to offer solace to the nation and the world, honoring the bravery and sacrifice of the astronauts while acknowledging the profound loss.
Fate has ordained that the men who went to the Moon landing to explore in peace will stay on the Moon to rest in peace.
These brave men, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, know that there is no hope for their recovery. But they also know that there is hope for mankind in their sacrifice.
These two men are laying down their lives in mankind’s most noble goal: the moon landing quest for truth and understanding.
They will be mourned by their families and friends; they will be mourned by their nation; they will be mourned by the people of the world; they will be mourned by a Mother Earth that dared send two of her sons into the unknown.
In their exploration, they stirred the people of the world to feel as one; in their sacrifice, they bind more tightly the brotherhood of man.
In ancient days, men looked at stars and saw their heroes in the constellations. In modern times, we do much the same, but our heroes are epic men of flesh and blood.
Others will follow, and surely find their way home. Man’s search will not be denied. But these men were the first, and they will remain the foremost in our hearts.
For every human being who looks up at the Moon in the nights to come will know that there is some corner of another world that is forever mankind.
-William Safire, speechwriter.
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