Page 4 - Aerotech News and Review, December 18, 2020

The Lonely Rocket Man

by Bob Alvis Michael Collins carried a heavy
special to Aerotech News burden on the Apollo 11 mission and
people don’t often give him the credit
Back in the 1970s, Elton John sang a that he so deserves for the success of
haunting song about a lonely astronaut that Moon landing. As Collins stated
in a fictional space fantasy, speeding in an interview once, the entire mission
through the universe, surrounded by relied on a bunch of daisy chain events
the science and silence of his lonely to go off without a hitch, for there to
journey. be a successful outcome. Believe it or
No one else could have come as not, the crew of Apollo 11 felt they had
close to the reality, and the real sense about a 50-50 chance of making it to
of that song and those words, as did the Moon and back. Collins was the
Apollo 11 astronaut, Michael Collins. pilot of the command module Colum-

NASA photograph
Astronaut Michael Collins with a lot on his mind.

bia and responsible for the precision long as he lives. of the two craft. As Neil and Buzz be-
maneuvers required to dock with the Michael had trained for all pos- gan their descent to the surface of the
lunar module Eagle, which was no easy sible situations on the mission. The Moon, Michael started on a journey
task. But the real drama for him was scenario he dreaded most was the one that would parallel that of another in-
the point when that hard dock finally that would have him returning to earth dividual who faced the unknown alone,
had to be released, and Neil and Buzz alone, leaving his two fellow astronauts with no contact with fellow human be-
NASA photograph floated away to their destiny on the lu- marooned on that lifeless celestial ings. As Michael circled to the back
Michael Collins in his spacecraft. nar surface below. That destiny is what body, or in a low-orbit trajectory that side of the Moon, only early aviator
will define Michael Collins’ life for as was not high enough for a re-docking See COLLINS, Page 5

#1 Homebuilder in the
Antelope Valley

$2,000 INCENTIVE*

for active military, retired, and service personnel

NEW HOMES SELLING IN LANCASTER AND PALMDALE

Pacific Magnolia Pacific Creekside Pacific Marigold
FINAL OPPORTUNITY NOW SELLING FINAL OPPORTUNITY
41852 Sonoma Road 2105 Cork Oak Street 1758 East Holguin St
Palmdale, CA 93551 Palmdale, CA, 93536 Lancaster, CA, 93535
(661) 480-0332 (661) 742-6255 (661) 946-3523

2 MODEL HOMES AVAILABLE LARGE 1 & 2-STOYR HOMES SINGLE-STORY HOMES
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY BY APPOINTMENT ONLY BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
2 MODEL HOMES REMAIN 2,207 - 4,679 Sq. Ft. 1,691 - 2,455 Sq. Ft.
From the High $700,000’s Up to 5 Beds, Up to 4 Baths Up to 5 Beds, Up to 3 Baths
From the High $400,000’s From the Low $400,000’s

PacificCommunities.com

Prices, terms, and features are subject to change without notice. Homes are subject to prior sale. Photos are representational only. Buyer must sign contract and
close escrow per the purchase agreement on a home at one of the above listed communities. *$2,000 incentive and can be used towards options and flooring. This
promotion begins November 1, 2020 and expires December 31, 2020. Proof of employment must be presented to obtain incentive (recent paystub and/or military
identification will be required). Only one promotion per purchase contract can be used. Cannot be combined with broker co-op. Terms and conditions are subject to
change without prior notice. CA BRE License # 01154693; Contractor’s License # 660968.

Aerotech News and Review
4 www.aerotechnews.com ........ facebook.com/aerotechnewsandreview December 18, 2020