What happened to Alan Shepard’s golf ball?
While remastering images taken during the 1971 mission to the Moon, a golf ball that Alan Shepard launched into space was found 40 yards from where he'd hit it. NASA In the center of this wide shot restored by imaging specialist Andy Saunders is Alan Shepard’s golf ball.
How far did Alan Shepard's'lost'golf ball fly?
One small swing for man! Apollo 14 Commander Alan Shepard's 'lost' golf ball is discovered on the moon 50 YEARS on — but it only flew 40 yards and not 'miles and miles' as he claimed Commander Shepard visited the lunar surface during the Apollo 14 mission
How many golf balls did Shepard hit in space?
Despite thick gloves and a stiff spacesuit, which forced him to swing the club with one hand, Shepard struck two golf balls, driving the second, as he jokingly put it, "miles and miles and miles".
How far did Shepherd's ball travel?
We cannot truly know precisely how far Shepherd's ball traveled. However, he undoubtedly holds the record for the longest drive in history, far surpassing Mike Austin's highly impressive world record 515 yard drive.* One can make a golf ball travel for quite a distance on the moon for two reasons.
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How far did Alan Shepard say his second shot went?
40 yardsBy comparing these to more recent satellite images from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, Saunders was able to measure the distance on Shepard's second shot. The result? A rather tame 40 yards (120 feet). Still, that's not bad for a one-handed bunker shot taken while wearing a bulky spacesuit in weak gravity.
How far did Alan Shepard's golf ball go on the moon?
about 40 yardsHe was exaggerating, according to new analysis from the United States Golf Association (USGA). Based on data from the crew and a modern-day moon mission, the group found that the first ball traveled 24 yards (22 meters) and the second about 40 yards (37 m).
What happened to the golf ball that Alan Shepard hit on the moon?
Shepard brought two balls with him. The first ball he only skimmed, and it was easily recovered by colleague Edgar Mitchell in a nearby crater. By the second ball, Shepard had gotten the hang of it and sent it flying. That ball then remained missing for half a century.
Did Alan Shepard sneak a golf club on the moon?
The Moon Club, a specially crafted 6-iron clubhead, weighing 16.5 ounces, that was carried by Alan Shepard onboard the Apollo 14 mission to the moon, as seen at the USGA Golf Museum. The club featured a clubhead attached to a retractable teflon shaft ordinarily used on a device to collect soil samples.
How far can you hit a golf ball on Mars?
With an initial golf ball velocity of 82.7 m/sec and launch angle of 12 degrees, the distance traveled by a golf ball on Mars would be 748 meters or 818 yards! So there you have it.
Can you hit a golf ball from the moon to Earth?
There is no air resistance on the moon to slow the ball's travel. The faster one hits a golf ball, the farther it moves as no fluid resists it. As for making a ball leaving the moon altogether, well, a human truly couldn't. The moon's gravity is weaker than Earth's, but still quite strong.
Are there 3 golf balls on the moon?
There are two golf balls on the moon. They were taken there by Alan Shepard in 1971, during the Apollo 14 mission. Shepard was the first American into space, and the fifth person to ever walk on the moon… but most impressively, he was the first (and only) person to ever play golf outside of the earth's atmosphere!
What brand of golf ball is on the moon?
Our most sincere thanks for the Daisy golf balls by Victor ….. They are out of this world!” The display also features a Victor Daisy golf ball from around 1971 and a video showing the famous 6-iron shot. Shepard took two golf balls on his moon walk and hit them both. The balls bear the Daisy logo.
Why do astronauts fingernails fall off?
In a recent study of astronaut injuries, at least 22 reported lost fingernails, a phenomenon called fingernail delamination. It happens because of pressure on the fingertips, but researchers also think circulation cutoff could be to blame, NGN explains.
How many golf balls are on the moon?
two golf ballsThere are two golf balls on the moon, placed there by Alan Shepard, a NASA astronaut in the Apollo 14 mission in 1971.
Who was the last person to walk on the moon?
Eugene "Gene" CernanThe last man to walk on the moon, Eugene "Gene" Cernan, died on the 16th of January 2017. His family confirmed in a statement to the press that Cernan died of "ongoing health issues". When he died, Cernan had reached the ripe old age of 82, and his health had been in decline for several years owing to his advanced age.
What was the clubhead shepard on Apollo 14?
The clubhead Shepard sneaked on board Apollo 14 in a sock and the implement he attached it to - this image is reproduced courtesy of the United States Golf Association which has the item in its museum as part of the Moon shot collection.
What was the name of the solar wind experiment that Edgar Mitchell hurled?
Movie footage from the Lunar Module in 1971 was used to identify both balls. The 'Javelin' was a pole from a solar wind experiment, hurled by crewmate Edgar Mitchell. Andy Saunders is an imaging specialist and author of the upcoming book Apollo Remastered.
How far did the golf ball go on the moon?
A golf ball 'lost' by Alan Shepard on the Moon that he claimed travelled 'miles and miles' has been found in newly restored images — and it only travelled 40 yards. On February 6, 1971, the Apollo 14 mission commander hit two golf balls across the lunar surface as one of the final acts of NASA 's third crewed Moon landing.
How many golf balls did the Apollo mission hit?
Nearing the end of his moon walk, he hit two golf balls using a makeshift club. One went into a crater — but the ultimate location of the other was unclear. Image expert Andy Saunders digitally enhanced images taken on the mission. The second ball, he revealed, travelled a mere 40 yards before coming to rest.
What happened to Apollo 13?
Apollo 13 was to be the third mission to land on the moon, but just under 56 hours into flight, an oxygen tank explosion forced the crew to cancel the lunar landing and move into the Aquarius lunar module to return back to Earth.
What was the most successful manned space flight?
Apollo 15 was the ninth manned lunar mission in the Apollo space program, and considered at the time the most successful manned space flight up to that moment because of its long duration and greater emphasis on scientific exploration than had been possible on previous missions.
How far did the first ball land on Apollo 14?
In fact, the first ball came to rest 24 yards from Commander Shepard's 'teeing off' point, while the second flew a mere 40 yards. Scroll down for video.
How far did the first ball rest from the landing site?
In fact, the first ball came to rest 24 yards from the 'teeing off' point, while the second (pictured) flew a mere 40 yards.
When did Apollo 14 go to the moon?
Pictured: Left, a Saturn V rocket launches the Apollo 14 mission to the moon on January 31, 1971 and, right, Commander Alan Shepard as photographed on Earth in the same year. +12. Copy link to paste in your message.
Why did the Shepard ball stay airborne longer than it would have been on Earth?
The absence of aerodynamic forces on the ball, and lack of the spin-induced “magnus effect” caused by the ball’s dimples, meant that it followed a perfectly parabolic flight. It also stayed airborne longer due to lower gravitational forces pulling it back to the ground.
Who played golf on the moon 50 years ago?
But one “out of this world” moment trumps them all – that time 50 years ago when astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. played golf on the moon.
What is the USGA?
The USGA promotes and conserves the true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions. It acts in the best interests of the game for the continued enjoyment of those who love and play it. The USGA: Celebrating 125 Years. GIVING.
Why did the ball stay airborne longer?
It also stayed airborne longer due to lower gravitational forces pulling it back to the ground.
Who tossed the first ball of the solar wind experiment?
Sitting near Shepard’s first ball is a pole from a solar wind experiment, tossed by crewmate Edgar Mitchell. (NASA/JSC/ASU/Andy Saunders)
Is Golf Journal a quarterly publication?
To be among the first to receive access to Golf Journal, the USGA’s Members-only quarterly print and monthly digital publication – along with the many other benefits of becoming a USGA Member – visit the USGA Membership page.
Who hit the golf ball on the moon?
Credit: NASA/JSC/ASU/Andy Saunders. NASA astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr hit a golf ball on the Moon in 1971… but where did it go? The answer has been revealed for Apollo 14’s 50th anniversary, thanks to 21st century tech. One small step for Man and a hole in one for Mankind?
Who used the golf ball for the moon shots?
Shepard never told anyone which brand of golf ball he used for his historic moon shots.. Credit: NASA/JSC/ASU/Andy Saunders
What would have created a perfect parabolic flight for the ball?
Conditions on the Moon would have created “perfect parabolic” flight for the ball writes Saunders for Golf Journal (republished on the USGA website). That said, low gravity meant the club didn’t swing as it should.
Where is the replica of the golf ball in the crater?
The original club used for the cosmic swings can be seen at USGA’s museum. A replica is displayed at the National Air and Space Museum, Washington DC.
Who was the first American to go to space?
Of course there’s more to Commander Shepard than a bold golfing attempt on Earth’s satellite. He was not only the first American in space (1961) but the fifth to step out onto what’s compared by some to be an enormous bunker!
Who lobs the scoop handle like a javelin?
Shepard wasn’t the only sporting enthusiast showing off skills. Edgar Mitchell, Module Pilot, decided to lob his scoop handle like a javelin. It landed next to Shepard’s first ball, where it remains to this day.
When did the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter fly over the area?
And it wasn’t just old reels of celluloid and videotape. In 2011 the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter flew over the area with an eager lens.
Who hit the first golf ball on the moon?
That distinction belongs to a NASA astronaut. Apollo 14 commander Alan B. Shepard hit two golf balls on the surface of the Moon on Feb. 6, 1971. Shepard talked to the United States Golf Association (USGA) about those infamous shots. “I shanked the first one; it rolled into a crater about 40 yards way,” said Shepard.
Who tricked NASA?
Moon golf: How Astronaut Alan Shepard tricked NASA. The ingenious journey that Astronaut Alan Shepard had to take to sneak a golf club and golf balls into space and onto the moon. When you think of golf, legendary players like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods and Bobby Jones may come to mind. None of those legends, however, hit arguably ...
Did the astronauts take golf clubs on Apollo 13?
Maggie Lagle, a historian for the USGA, told Fox News that NASA did not have a sense of humor after Apollo 13 and would not have let Shepard take a golf club on the mission, so Shepard snuck a club and balls into space with him.
Did Bing Crosby donate his club to the USGA?
Singer Bing Crosby helped convince Shepard to donate his club to the USGA’s museum in New Jersey. “Alan was a very avid golfer and he would actually participate in the Bing Crosby golf tournament,” said Lagle.
How long did the Shepard swing last?
Professional estimates originally determined that Shepard’s swing sent the ball flying for 200 yards before landing. “We used to say it was the longest show in the history of the world because it hasn’t come down yet,” said renowned British golf instructor Butch Harmon.
Who found the missing golf ball?
According to The Denver Post, English imaging specialist Andy Saunders spotted the missing golf ball while digitally enhancing the original Apollo 14 video footage for his book Apollo Remastered.
Where is the golf ball in the NASA image?
NASA The golf ball is located beneath the javelin-type object in the center of this image. Shepard revealed in 1998 that NASA was not on board with his stunt at first.
When did Apollo 14 land on the moon?
When Apollo 14 landed on the moon on Feb. 6, 1971, humankind had already been there several times, but Commander Alan Shepard nonetheless managed to accomplish the unprecedented — by teeing off just outside the lunar lander. Though it took Shepard a minute to get the hang of it, he eventually sent his second ball flying for what he believed was ...
Did Bob Gilruth ask NASA to whack golf balls?
He reportedly asked Director Bob Gilruth of the Manned Spaceflight Center if he could whack some golf balls at the end of the mission, but his immediate reply was, “Absolutely no way.”.
How long was the orbital flight of the Shepard?
Unlike Gagarin's 108-minute orbital flight in a Vostok spacecraft three times the size of Freedom 7, Shepard stayed on a suborbital trajectory for the 15-minute flight, which reached an altitude of 101.2 nautical miles (116.5 statute miles; 187.4 kilometers), and then fell to a splashdown 263.1 nautical miles (302.8 statute miles; 487.3 kilometers) down the Atlantic Missile Range. Unlike Gagarin, whose flight was strictly automatic, Shepard had some control of Freedom 7, spacecraft attitude in particular. Shepard's launch was seen live on television by millions. It was launched atop a Redstone rocket. According to Gene Kranz in his 2000 book Failure Is Not an Option, "When reporters asked Shepard what he thought about as he sat atop the Redstone rocket, waiting for liftoff, he had replied, 'The fact that every part of this ship was built by the lowest bidder.'"
What ship did Shepard join?
After a month of classroom instruction in aviation, Shepard was posted to a destroyer, USS Cogswell, in August 1944; it was US Navy policy that aviation candidates should first have some service at sea. At the time the destroyer was deployed on active service in the Pacific Ocean. Shepard joined it when it returned to the naval base at Ulithi on October 30. After just two days at sea Cogswell helped rescue 172 sailors from the cruiser USS Reno, which had been torpedoed by a Japanese submarine, then escorted the crippled ship back to Ulithi. The ship was buffeted by Typhoon Cobra in December 1944, a storm in which three other destroyers went down, and battled kamikazes in the invasion of Lingayen Gulf in January 1945.
What was the first space traveler to manually control the orientation of his craft?
In the final stages of Project Mercury, Shepard was scheduled to pilot the Mercury-Atlas 10 (MA-10), which was planned as a three-day mission.
Why did Slayton ask Jim Lovell to fly Apollo 14?
So Slayton asked Jim Lovell, who had been the backup commander for Apollo 11, and was slated to command Apollo 14, if his crew would be willing to fly Apollo 13 instead . He agreed to do so, and Shepard's crew was assigned to Apollo 14.
What was the role of the gunnery officer on the Shepard?
On Shepard's second cruise with Cogswell, he was appointed a gunnery officer, responsible for the 20 mm and 40 mm antiaircraft guns on the ship's bow. They engaged kamikazes in the Battle of Okinawa, where the ship served in the dangerous role of a radar picket. The job of the radar pickets was to warn the fleet of incoming kamikazes, but because they were often the first ships sighted by incoming Japanese aircraft, they were also the most likely ships to be attacked. Cogswell performed this duty from May 27, 1945, until June 26, when it rejoined Task Force 38. The ship also participated in the Allied naval bombardments of Japan, and was present in Tokyo Bay for the Surrender of Japan in September 1945. Shepard returned to the United States later that month.
What happened to Apollo 13?
Neither Shepard nor Lovell expected there would be much difference between Apollo 13 and Apollo 14, but Apollo 13 went disastrously wrong. An oxygen tank explosion caused the Moon landing to be aborted and nearly resulted in the loss of the crew. It became a joke between Shepard and Lovell, who would offer to give Shepard back the mission each time they bumped into each other. The failure of Apollo 13 delayed Apollo 14 until 1971 so that modifications could be made to the spacecraft. The target of the Apollo 14 mission was switched to the Fra Mauro formation, the intended destination of Apollo 13.
Why was Mercury 15B Freedom 7 II grounded?
Shepard was designated as the commander of the first crewed Project Gemini mission, but was grounded in 1963 due to Ménière's disease, an inner-ear ailment that caused episodes of extreme dizziness and nausea.
