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Heroes Of The Last
Frontier
Outer Space |
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The people of the United States have always liked to think of themselves as LEADERS,
not followers. So it was that, when the Soviet Union launched the first successful
space flight on October 4, 1957, the United States found itself playing
"runner-up" in the race to outer space. Our National pride shaken and
eager to catch up, the first United States rocket was launched two months later on
December 6th. Carring a satellite barely over 3 pounds and about the size of a
grapefruit, the Navy's Vanguard rocket lifted two feet off its pad at Cape
Canaveral....then crashed back to earth in flames. Our first efforts had ended in
bitter failure.
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As world leaders, the American people love success but understand that success requires
risk...and risk involves failure. There is no shame in failure...only in failing to
try. From the early pioneers who's failures eventually led to successful flight at
Kitty Hawk to the men and women who now make almost "routine" flights into outer
space, we as a people, owe much to these pioneers. The Heroes of the Last Frontier
Room will introduce you to them. Men and Women like:
- Charles Lindberg, who proved how much one man could
do...even ALONE!
- Jackie Cochran who, though an orphan bounced from
foster home to foster home, dared to dream beyond the clouds, and then went on to fly
higher and faster than any woman alive.
- World War II hero Jimmie Doolittle who, long before
his heroic 30 seconds over Tokyo pioneered flight by instrumentation.
- William "Billy" Mitchell, who sacrificed a
proud military career to awaken the doubters to the potential of flight.
- Amelia Earhart who died at age 39 doing what she loved
most, paving the way for fliers of the future.
- Chuck Yeager who became the "fastest man
alive" when he broke the sound barrier at age 24 on October 14, 1947....then repeated
the performance 50 years later at age 74.
- Alan Shepard who became America's first pioneer in
Space, and
- John Glenn who demonstrated remarkable courage in his
first flight, then likewise repeated the feat 36 years later.
- Neil Armstrong and the team of Apollo XI that made
"one giant leap for mankind".
- Dr. Sally Ride who proved that space exploration was
not a pioneer activity reserved for men only.
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The LAST FRONTIER room is the only fully enclosed and
darkened room in the Hall of Heroes. As you pass through the door you will be
transported into space to meet heroes of both the past and the present. You can view
the stars and solar system in an interactive "planetarium" setting, even step up
onto the surface of the moon to stand beside images of Neil Armstrong and Edwin
Aldrin. And before you leave, you can pause to remember the courageous men and women
for whom failure meant death, but who were willing to risk it all so that others might
eventually succeed.
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You can now
visit these other rooms for a "sneak preview". |
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American History Rooms |
Women Heroes Of American History |
Heroes of the Last Frontier |
America-Land of Opportunity |
