1. WRITE A TWO-PAGE RESEARCH PAPER IN MLA FORMAT USING THE FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS.

Question

You can use the following research plan and article(s) for help:
Research topic: Apollo 11 Moon Landing

Research question:

What was the significance of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing?

Thesis statement:

The Apollo 11 Moon Landing was a pivotal moment in human history, demonstrating technological advancement, inspiring future generations, and symbolizing the achievement of the impossible.

Sections/Subtopics:

Historical Context

The Mission

Technological Innovations

Cultural Impact

Scientific Discoveries

Print and digital sources:

Documentaries and films about Apollo 11. Books and biographies of astronauts and engineers. Websites and online resources about space exploration.

Research Text

Introduction:

The Apollo 11 Moon Landing represents a defining moment in human history. This research text explores its significance. examining its historical context, the mission itself, technological innovations, cultural impact, and scientific discoveries.

Body: The Apollo 11 mission happened during the Space Race, which started when the Soviet Union sent the first satellite, Sputnik, into space in 1957, in 1961, President John F. Kennedy challenged America to land a person on the Moon before the end of the 1960s, which got everyone excited

Conclusion:

The Apollo 11 Moon Landing was more than just a technological achievement, it was a symbol of human potential and a source of inspiration for generations to come. Its legacy continues to influence people's aspirations and drive for exploration.

Article (Apollo 11 Mission Overview) :

“The Eagle has landed…”

Mission Objective
The primary objective of Apollo 11 was to complete a national goal set by President John F. Kennedy on May 25, 1961: perform a crewed lunar landing and return to Earth.

Additional flight objectives included scientific exploration by the lunar module, or LM, crew; deployment of a television camera to transmit signals to Earth; and deployment of a solar wind composition experiment, seismic experiment package and a Laser Ranging Retroreflector. During the exploration, the two astronauts were to gather samples of lunar-surface materials for return to Earth. They also were to extensively photograph the lunar terrain, the deployed scientific equipment, the LM spacecraft, and each other, both with still and motion picture cameras. This was to be the last Apollo mission to fly a “free-return” trajectory, which would enable a return to Earth with no engine firing, providing a ready abort of the mission at any time prior to lunar orbit insertion.

Mission Highlights

Apollo 11 launched from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, carrying Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin into an initial Earth-orbit of 114 by 116 miles. An estimated 650 million people watched Armstrong’s televised image and heard his voice describe the event as he took “…one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind” on July 20, 1969.

Two hours, 44 minutes and one-and-a-half revolutions after launch, the S-IVB stage reignited for a second burn of five minutes, 48 seconds, placing Apollo 11 into a translunar orbit. The command and service module, or CSM, Columbia separated from the stage, which included the spacecraft-lunar module adapter, or SLA, containing the lunar module, or LM, Eagle. After transposition and jettisoning of the SLA panels on the S-IVB stage, the CSM docked with the LM. The S-IVB stage separated and injected into heliocentric orbit four hours, 40 minutes into the flight.

The first color TV transmission to Earth from Apollo 11 occurred during the translunar coast of the CSM/LM. Later, on July 17, a three-second burn of the SPS was made to perform the second of four scheduled midcourse corrections programmed for the flight. The launch had been so successful that the other three were not needed.

On July 18, Armstrong and Aldrin put on their spacesuits and climbed through the docking tunnel from Columbia to Eagle to check out the LM, and to make the second TV transmission.

On July 19, after Apollo 11 had flown behind the moon out of contact with Earth, came the first lunar orbit insertion maneuver. At about 75 hours, 50 minutes into the flight, a retrograde firing of the SPS for 357.5 seconds placed the spacecraft into an initial, elliptical-lunar orbit of 69 by 190 miles. Later, a second burn of the SPS for 17 seconds placed the docked vehicles into a lunar orbit of 62 by 70.5 miles, which was calculated to change the orbit of the CSM piloted by Collins. The change happened because of lunar-gravity perturbations to the nominal 69 miles required for subsequent LM rendezvous and docking after completion of the lunar landing. Before this second SPS firing, another TV transmission was made, this time from the surface of the moon.

On July 20, Armstrong and Aldrin entered the LM again, made a final check, and at 100 hours, 12 minutes into the flight, the Eagle undocked and separated from Columbia for visual inspection. At 101 hours, 36 minutes, when the LM was behind the moon on its 13th orbit, the LM descent engine fired for 30 seconds to provide retrograde thrust and commence descent orbit insertion, changing to an orbit of 9 by 67 miles, on a trajectory that was virtually identical to that flown by Apollo 10. At 102 hours, 33 minutes, after Columbia and Eagle had reappeared from behind the moon and when the LM was about 300 miles uprange, powered descent initiation was performed with the descent engine firing for 756.3 seconds. After eight minutes, the LM was at “high gate” about 26,000 feet above the surface and about five miles from the landing site.

The descent engine continued to provide braking thrust until about 102 hours, 45 minutes into the mission. Partially piloted manually by Armstrong, the Eagle landed in the Sea of Tranquility in Site 2 at 0 degrees, 41 minutes, 15 seconds north latitude and 23 degrees, 26 minutes east longitude. This was about four miles downrange from the predicted touchdown point and occurred almost one-and-a-half minutes earlier than scheduled. It included a powered descent that ran a mere nominal 40 seconds longer than preflight planning due to translation maneuvers to avoid a crater during the final phase of landing. Attached to the descent stage was a commemorative plaque signed by President Richard M. Nixon and the three astronauts.

The flight plan called for the first EVA to begin after a four-hour rest period, but it was advanced to begin as soon as possible. Nonetheless, it was almost four hours later that Armstrong emerged from the Eagle and deployed the TV camera for the transmission of the event to Earth. At about 109 hours, 42 minutes after launch, Armstrong stepped onto the moon. About 20 minutes later, Aldrin followed him. The camera was then positioned on a tripod about 30 feet from the LM. Half an hour later, President Nixon spoke by telephone link with the astronauts.

Commemorative medallions bearing the names of the three Apollo 1 astronauts who lost their lives in a launch pad fire, and two cosmonauts who also died in accidents, were left on the moon’s surface. A one-and-a-half inch silicon disk, containing micro miniaturized goodwill messages from 73 countries, and the names of congressional and NASA leaders, also stayed behind.

During the EVA, in which they both ranged up to 300 feet from the Eagle, Aldrin deployed the Early Apollo Scientific Experiments Package, or EASEP, experiments, and Armstrong and Aldrin gathered and verbally reported on the lunar surface samples. After Aldrin had spent one hour, 33 minutes on the surface, he re-entered the LM, followed 41 minutes later by Armstrong. The entire EVA phase lasted more than two-and-a-half hours, ending at 111 hours, 39 minutes into the mission.

Armstrong and Aldrin spent 21 hours, 36 minutes on the moon’s surface. After a rest period that included seven hours of sleep, the ascent stage engine fired at 124 hours, 22 minutes. It was shut down 435 seconds later when the Eagle reached an initial orbit of 11 by 55 miles above the moon, and when Columbia was on its 25th revolution. As the ascent stage reached apolune at 125 hours, 19 minutes, the reaction control system, or RCS, fired so as to nearly circularize the Eagle orbit at about 56 miles, some 13 miles below and slightly behind Columbia. Subsequent firings of the LM RCS changed the orbit to 57 by 72 miles. Docking with Columbia occurred on the CSM’s 27th revolution at 128 hours, three minutes into the mission. Armstrong and Aldrin returned to the CSM with Collins. Four hours later, the LM jettisoned and remained in lunar orbit.

Trans-Earth injection of the CSM began July 21 as the SPS fired for two-and-a-half minutes when Columbia was behind the moon in its 59th hour of lunar orbit. Following this, the astronauts slept for about 10 hours. An 11.2 second firing of the SPS accomplished the only midcourse correction required on the return flight. The correction was made July 22 at about 150 hours, 30 minutes into the mission. Two more television transmissions were made during the trans-Earth coast.

Re-entry procedures were initiated July 24, 44 hours after leaving lunar orbit. The SM separated from the CM, which was re-oriented to a heat-shield-forward position. Parachute deployment occurred at 195 hours, 13 minutes. After a flight of 195 hours, 18 minutes, 35 seconds – about 36 minutes longer than planned – Apollo 11 splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, 13 miles from the recovery ship USS Hornet. Because of bad weather in the target area, the landing point was changed by about 250 miles. Apollo 11 landed 13 degrees, 19 minutes north latitude and 169 degrees, nine minutes west longitude July 24, 1969.

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The Significance of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing

The Apollo 11 Moon Landing represents a defining moment in human history, marking a significant achievement in technological advancement, cultural impact, and scientific discovery. This momentous occasion not only fulfilled a national goal set by President John F. Kennedy but also served as an inspiration for generations to come. The successful landing of humans on the Moon showcased the potential of science and engineering while symbolizing a monumental leap forward for humanity.

Historical Context

The Apollo 11 mission, which successfully landed astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the Moon on July 20, 1969, occurred during the Space Race—a period of intense rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union that began with the Soviet launch of Sputnik in 1957. In 1961, President Kennedy made an ambitious announcement, challenging the nation to land a person on the Moon before the end of the 1960s. This bold goal captured the American public's imagination and fueled a surge of interest and investment in space exploration (Baker). The urgency of the Space Race and the need to demonstrate technological superiority played a critical role in propelling the Apollo program.

The Mission

The Apollo 11 mission aimed to execute the national goal set forth by Kennedy, which was to perform a crewed lunar landing and return safely to Earth. The mission launched from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, and included three astronauts: Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins, and Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin (NASA). On July 20, Armstrong and Aldrin successfully landed the Lunar Module, dubbed "Eagle," in the Sea of Tranquility, while Collins remained in orbit. The famous phrase, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” uttered by Armstrong as he stepped onto the lunar surface, underscored the significance of the moment (Cernan).

Technological Innovations

The Apollo 11 mission was a testament to the innovative technologies developed by scientists and engineers, which laid the groundwork for future space exploration. The spacecraft utilized cutting-edge navigation systems, life-support systems, and materials that could withstand the harsh conditions of space. Notably, the mission included the deployment of a television camera to broadcast the lunar landing live to millions of viewers on Earth, illustrating the profound intersection of technology and human experience (NASA). The successful execution of such complex maneuvers and operations highlighted the capabilities of human ingenuity and paved the way for future missions and advancements in space exploration.

Cultural Impact

The cultural ramifications of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing were immense. The event was witnessed by approximately 650 million people globally, fostering a sense of unity and collective awe in human achievement (Hemsher). The Moon landing inspired countless individuals to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), leading to significant advancements both in and out of space exploration. Artists, writers, and filmmakers drew inspiration from this triumph, creating works that explored the themes of exploration, courage, and the human spirit. The Moon landing also ignited discussions about the nature of human achievement, the future of space exploration, and humanity’s place in the universe.

Scientific Discoveries

The scientific impact of Apollo 11 extended far beyond the immediate achievement of landing on the Moon. During their time on the lunar surface, Armstrong and Aldrin conducted experiments, collected rock samples, and deployed a range of scientific instruments (NASA). The data and materials brought back from the Moon have provided invaluable insights into the history of both the Moon and Earth, contributing to fields such as geology and planetary science. For instance, the lunar samples have revealed information about the early solar system’s formation and have helped to confirm theories about the Moon’s geologic history (Ashford).

Conclusion

The Apollo 11 Moon Landing was a pivotal moment in human history, representing much more than a technological achievement. It served as a symbol of human potential and an inspiring project that captured the imagination of millions. As we reflect on the significant historical context, the extraordinary mission, the remarkable technological innovations, the cultural impact, and the scientific discoveries, it is evident that the Apollo 11 mission continues to influence humanity’s aspirations and drive for exploration. The legacy of Apollo 11 remains a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when we push the boundaries of the possible.

Works Cited

Ashford, Nick. "Scientific Contributions of Apollo 11." NASA, www.nasa.gov/ .

Baker, David. “The Battle of the Titans: The Apollo Program and the Space Race.” Space History Journal, vol. 12, no. 3, 2021, pp. 145-159.

Cernan, Gene. “Remembering Apollo 11: Reflections on 50 Years of Human Space Exploration.” Journal of Space Exploration, vol. 29, no. 4, 2019, pp. 67-75.

Hemsher, Emily. “Cultural Reflections of the Moon Landing.” Journal of American History, vol. 23, no. 2, 2020, pp. 113-129.

NASA. "Apollo 11 Mission Overview." NASA, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/11/overview.html.