apollo

My father, Kenneth J. Bateman – was the light and navigation engineer for NASA working under contract with the Lear Siegler Instrument Division; and was a major design/contributor for ALL space shots from "Redstone to Challenger."

I had the unique privilege of having a front row seat observing my father, his colleagues and more – spending literally thousands of hours drawing “never before electronic theory concepts” on napkins while sitting at kitchen tables.

What a remarkable time this was for me personally as a young son growing up during a very unique period in American scientific history.

Two specific moments standout; the only two times I ever seen my father cry.

When his three friends were killed on the Apollo 1 launch pad and years later – when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin; alone with Michael Collins – successfully landed on the moon’s surface.

My father is gone to glory now. But, if he were here – he would still have that sparkle in his eye as he silently pondered the accomplishments of mere men to reach for the stars… and make it there!

You’re a hero in my book men and women of space science. Well done.

“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” Proverbs 8:3-4

 

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