Episode 16 -- Ed Fendell

Jerry Bostick wasn't able to join Rick for this week's episode of the podcast, so we're going into the archives for a look back at Rick's first interview with Ed Fendell for the book, Go, Flight: The Unsung Heroes of Mission Control. It didn't take long for Rick to figure out that Ed is certainly one of a kind.

SHOW NOTES:

*Ed freely admits that he wasn't interested in school and was basically floundering through life until he joined the United States Air Force, where an aptitude test showed his true level of intelligence.

*Mission simulations were tough, but the post-sim debriefs could be even tougher. And then came the post-flight parties!

*Ed tells the story of his "fake" heart attack ... and his undying respect for Chris Kraft.

*Let's just say that Mr. Fendell was not a fan of the Assistant Flight Director's job.

*Ed and Gene Kranz shared, shall we say, a unique relationship.

*Apollo 11 was certain to land, isn't that right, Ed?

*Mission control wasn't exactly the healthiest place to work once upon a time, especially during the Apollo 13 crisis.

*Ed breaks it to a new lady friend that he's got to go to work.

*Ed became Captain Video with a controllable camera that Chris Kraft demanded during a now-infamous meeting.

*What did working in the historic third-floor MOCR mean to Ed Fendell?

NOTE: We'll be taking a break for the Christmas and New Year's holidays, and will return with the next episode Wednesday, January 10.

Episode 15 -- Jerry Bostick

Rick is joined by Jerry Bostick, whose legendary NASA career spanned literally from the Mercury to Space Shuttle eras. Best known as the chief of the Flight Dynamics Branch – otherwise known as The Trench – Jerry played a crucial role in the research and writing phases of the book Go, Flight, and he also stars in the documentary film Mission Control.

 SHOW NOTES:

*Jerry gives an update on the broken hip he suffered recently. He’s progressing very nicely, thank you very much.

*He says he’s being a good patient … but asking the doctors a lot of questions.

*In a great moment, Jerry lets his daughter Kristi know just how much he appreciates the help she’s been during his recovery.

*Given the results of an aptitude test he took in school, Jerry could've joined his father in the funeral home business or become an engineer. The story gets laughs in virtually every single public showing of the Mission Control film.

*A couple once stopped Jerry and asked for directions, and as he watched them drive off, the young man couldn't help but marvel at their beautiful car and wonder where they might be going.

*Jerry's own path was headed for Washington DC, and stints as a page and doorman in the US House of Representatives.

*There's a photo of a young Jerry with Richard Nixon in the Mission Control film. Here's the story behind that amazing shot.

*How about a new contest ... how many times during an episode will Rick begin a question with the word "Now ...?" And that's just the times he doesn't edit out.

*A chance meeting with Chris Kraft changes the course of Jerry's career ... and life.

*Jerry begins work in the brand-new world of mission control, and relies on a strong work ethic and sense of honesty in order to survive early in his career.

*The people who made mistakes during simulations and then tried to talk their way out of it were the ones who didn't last very long. Chris Kraft saw to that.

*Chris Kraft's motto? To err is human ... but it's against my policy.

*Along with Kraft, Jerry also considers Glynn Lunney an early mentor.

*When Mercury Retro controller Carl Huss had a non-life-threatening heart attack, Jerry stepped into the void. It was another moment that changed his career.

*Alan Shepard might've been the Icy Commander to some ... and maybe even Jerry, if the truth be known ... but he didn't let it show during an infamous incident leading up to the flight of Gemini 3. it leads to what Jerry calls a "rocky relationship" between the two NASA legends, until they patched things up during training for the flight of Apollo 14.

*During Gemini, Jerry becomes a FIDO ... essentially the quarterback of the Flight Dynamics Branch. The move required him to switched divisions, from Mission Planning to Flight Control, not to mention an on-the-spot decision by Kraft.

*The Trench ... they were a proud bunch.

*Jerry was one of the three people first called to Chris Kraft's office to be informed of the momentous plans for Apollo 8. Over a single weekend, he shook off his initial incredulity to figure out that it could be done from a flight dynamics standpoint.

*Jerry calls the Christmas Eve Genesis reading one of the most emotional experiences of his life, and from the tone of his voice, it's clear that he's not exaggerating.

NOTE: Jerry will return in the next episode to discuss Apollo 11 ... Apollo 13 ... the other Apollo 13 ... and more! 

Episode 14 -- Bill Moon

From the Jim Crow-era Mississippi Delta to the EECOM console in the MOCR, Bill Moon brings his amazing story to this episode of the podcast.

SHOW NOTES:

*Bill's dad immigrated from China to California, where he picked fruit and worked as a cook in the mines before settling in Mississippi.

*At just 10 years old, Bill was working long hours in his family's store. He also helped out at a neighboring shop, where he was paid the princely sum of $5 a day. At such a young age, he was entrusted to take deposits of thousands of dollars to the bank.

*Bill did learn to work the system, and traded box tops from his family's store for bicycles, BB guns and roller skates!

*Although he grew up in the darkest days of the late 1950s Jim Crow era in Mississippi, Bill says he never experienced any overt racism.

*Bill's acceptance continues at Mississippi State, where he is a charter member of the school's Acacia social fraternity.

*After going to work for McDonnell Aircraft out of college, Bill goes to Houston to visit his brother and submits another application to NASA. This time, he accepts the offer he receives.

*The tracking ship Bill is on stays out at sea so long following the Gemini 8 crisis that it runs out of food, and the crew is forced to throw fishing lines over the side. The ship then overshoots its port by a couple of hours.

*The evolution of Bill's career takes him back to Houston, where he first works in the Staff Support Room before training "side saddle" to EECOM Sy Liebergot during the flight of Apollo 14.

*Bill gets his chance to shine as lead EECOM during the final two lunar landings, Apollos 16 and 17. Yet while Bill might have been the lead EECOM, it was John Aaron who worked the launches. Wonder why?!?

*Where Bill learned from John Aaron and Sy Liebergot, he was able to return the favor and serve as a mentor to others later on in his career, including none other than Go, Flight co-author Milt Heflin.

*As Bill transitioned into management, he did miss operations in the front room.

*Although Bill was the first minority to work in the MOCR, it's not something upon which he dwelt or took advantage of.

*Bill says he's not a very humble guy, when in fact, he is.

*Bill discusses his work as president of the Apollo Flight Operations Association.