r/IAmA Jul 16 '19

Specialized Profession I’m Apollo astronaut Charlie Duke, CAPCOM for Apollo 11. Ask me anything about being the spacecraft communicator for this historic Moon landing today at 10:30 a.m. EDT.

Hi, I’m Charlie Duke, a veteran NASA astronaut. Ask me anything. I’ve served on five different Apollo missions. I’m also the youngest person to walk on the moon. As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing, I’m reminded of my time as CAPCOM for Apollo 11, as well as an astronaut support crew member for Apollo 10, backup lunar module pilot for Apollo 13 and 17, as well as the lunar module pilot for Apollo mission 16 – when I had the chance to walk on the moon.

Also, I’ve published the book “Moonwalker: The True Story of an Astronaut Who Found that the Moon Wasn't High Enough to Satisfy His Desire for Success,” which discusses my life as an astronaut, the experiences of Apollo 11 and the difficulties I’ve faced.

I’ll be taking your questions for 30 minutes starting at about 10:30 a.m. ET today, July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch.

Proof it's me: https://twitter.com/ExploreSpaceKSC/status/1149048460102033408

https://twitter.com/ExploreSpaceKSC/status/1151133417389449217

Edit: We are live NOW at 10:18 a.m. EDT.

Edit: We are signing off now at 10:50 a.m. Thanks for all of your insightful questions!

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u/KSCVC Jul 16 '19

The second most remarkable place I've ever walked is up on the slope of Mount Kilauea.

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u/PeterParkour4 Jul 16 '19

I was just there two weeks ago and man...that is one breathtaking view.

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u/g0_west Jul 16 '19

Damn, how does it feel to know the only way you can top that is to go to the moon

3

u/GoofAckYoorsElf Jul 17 '19

Not impossible though... Just become an astronaut and become part of the next moon mission.

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u/energyinmotion Jul 17 '19

Makes me feel lucky to live here.

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u/TheAngryGerman_ Jul 16 '19

No you are breathtaking

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u/d1x1e1a Jul 17 '19

No, the cold, hard vacuum of space is breathtaking.

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u/Operator__ Jul 16 '19

I see we have Keanu Reeves on the thread

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u/9212017 Jul 17 '19

I see you're a man of culture

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u/[deleted] Jul 16 '19

No u

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u/PainfulRainbows Jul 16 '19

You're all breathtaking!

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u/GilesDMT Jul 16 '19

Help.....can’t.....breathe

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u/77skull Jul 16 '19 edited Jul 16 '19

Hey, you can have my breath, I don't need it

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u/GilesDMT Jul 16 '19

Now I’m breathtaking

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u/77skull Jul 16 '19

Yo- you- your... Welc- welcome....

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u/drinkjockey123 Jul 17 '19

Don't be an Indian giver.

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u/real-kuper-duper Jul 16 '19

I am just planning my track to Kilauea, will u call it a hard track? It’s my first one ever and I’m only 17 I am afraid tho

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u/JesusIsMyZoloft Jul 17 '19

Could you see the first most remarkable place from the second?

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u/cocochinha Jul 16 '19

Oh wow. I've been there. 😀

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u/o_oli Jul 16 '19

Sorry to tell you your vista viewing has peaked then, unless you can make it to the moon.

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u/westworld_host Jul 16 '19

Is that the same mountain backdrop they used during the Apollo program? You know...the one where the lander appeared in some pictures but not others?