edgar-mitchell

9
After carefully timing and coordinating the moment of launch, Al and
I flew directly from the lunar surface to the command module. As we
silently approached the beautiful metallic spacecraft, there was a momentary
resurrection of the old apprehension from the last time we tried to
make a dock. Stu was our ride home. Was this going to require a spacewalk
Would we be able to dock at all Such questions served to cushion against
total surprise. But no sooner had we made the first attempt, than Stu had
solidly captured our craft.
We were all three enormously relieved and happy at the successful
capture, and allowed a bit of levity to show. As we prepared for transfer to
the command module, and knocked twice on the hatch to signal readiness,
Stu was unable to resist the temptation of the moment. He responded
to the knocking with: “Who’s there”
In space there are nearly 10 times more stars visible to the naked eye
than on Earth because there is no atmosphere. Likewise, familiar objects
are approximately 10 times brighter. Stars and planets seem to burn against
the cool blackness. There is the sense of being swaddled in the cosmos,
surrounded by the beautiful silent glitter of the Milky Way and all the
galaxies beyond. As we departed our lunar target and sailed home through
the vast emptiness, we rotated in what is called the barbecue mode, slowly
turning in order to sustain the same thermal effect on all sides of the craft.
Earth imperceptibly grew larger with the passage of time. In the quiet
hours just before our designated night, I would pull out the clipboard and
perform the experiment with my friends in Florida. Then I would drift
into a gauzy sleep. There was an impalpable sense of satisfaction, safety,
and well-being, a sense I hadn’t experienced for several days.
A wonderful quietness drifted into the cabin, the satisfying glow of a
job well done. The lion’s share of my own work was complete, and all I had
73