One small step for man began with giant leaps of faith of many
President John F. Kennedy had set the goal by promising to achieve the moon landing within a decade. NASA was able to do it, in large part because the George C. Marshall Space Center was able to deliver the Saturn V, the moon rocket, on time to test it in flight and then send it on its long journey with the astronauts. I worked as a summer faculty consultant to the Marshall Center in 1967 and ’68. Never have I felt such collective power as I did by experiencing the organizational identification with this mission. I unconsciously slipped into the usage of “we” of identification. And, yes, we did demonstrate what can be accomplished when we all pull together.
My purpose in this letter is to ask readers of The Post to pause in the celebration of the accomplishment and those who starred in the drama–astronauts, administrators, and politicians—to be thankful also to those others who contributed mightily but are unknown. I have in mind those 7,200 employees at the Marshall Center who did the research and development for the Saturn V. I knew many of them, knew that as subject to civil service regulation they worked many, many hours overtime without pay. They helped contractor personnel, making much higher salaries, get their job done.
As an example of how many unknown persons contributed to the project mightily, I was told by administrators that one of the most important contributors to the success of Apollo 11 were welders. This rocket was designed to use exotic metals that could only be made to produce a greater collective strength by the skill of the Apollo 11 welders. I say bravo to President Kennedy, Dr. von Braun and other NASA administrators, and also to the engineers, welders, and all the other nameless workers who pulled together for one of humankind’s greatest achievements.
Phillip K. Tompkins, Denver
Editor’s note: Tompkins is an author and professor emeritus of communication and comparative literature at the University of Colorado.
Energy proposal doesn’t add up
Re: “Xcel would serve Colorado better by keeping coal plants,” July 14 commentary
Jon Caldara recommends Xcel Energy spend $3.7 billion to add experimental carbon capture systems to three aging coal plants near Pueblo. Alternatively, Xcel proposes to spend $2.7 billion for renewable wind and solar systems and the phaseout of the old coal plants.
Caldara references a Department of Energy report in support of his recommendations. Reading the report, the coal plants with carbon dioxide capture will provide 1,183 MW of electric power as compared to 1,838 MW for renewable power proposed by Xcel. Doing the math, resulting clean power construction costs for carbon capture are more than double the costs for renewable energy. Both options will eliminate CO2 emissions to the atmosphere for the electricity generated. However, the renewable energy option will provide 36 percent more carbon-free electricity.
Jon Caldara’s corporate welfare proposal may make him “feel” like he’s protecting the environment, but he’s wasting the money we need to save the planet.
Dennis Jones, Lakewood
Losing train would hurt Durango
Re: “Town’s train identity … ,” July 7 news story
The 416 Fire fortunately never took a life or burned a single structure, and those who suffered actual damages such as runoff from the burn area have legitimate claims. However, many expect to be paid as if nothing happened because tourists thought of their safety, by not sightseeing and staying away. The near open warfare over the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad survival comes down to the fear that the line will be bankrupted, and some on both sides know that lawyers might make it a reality. Being made whole takes time, but if the trains go, the hundreds of thousands that ride it, and the hundreds of millions or more they spend each year in the area will do more damage than any fire did.
Richard Mattingly, Denver
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