Mission control screen - Apollo 11

[greymick]

Hi All,

I really hope this has been answered already, as I'd love to know the reason.

At 45 seconds real footage from mission control of the Apollo 11 mission (even though fictional account, unpressurised suits are very funny).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_wMM4sDXOA&NR=1

The number 51 in the bottom left of the screen. It's also clearly visible in In the shadow of the moon.

I just wanted to know the significance? Is it a 51st state jokey reference or something?

Just of all the numbers it could be, 51 is the most suggestive.

Cheers

[JayUtah]

I believe it's a monitor number, or a video circuit number. I don't think it's meant to have any significance other than to fall neatly between 50 and 52.

[Jason Thompson]

Oct 2, 2009 9:49:49 GMT -4 greymick said:

(even though fictional account, unpressurised suits are very funny).

Would you mind explaining that comment please? Are you suggesting the suits are in fact unpressurised?

[greymick]

Hi Jason,

I refer to the fictional (cut with real footage) series Moonshot, where I spotted the 51, and where the youtube link is.

The actor playing Armstrong in particular, his suit hangs off him in an amusing way.

Do you have any theories on the "51"?

Cheers

[Jason Thompson]

Oh, I see. Sorry, should have checked the video first. I tend not to follow video links.

No, I have no ideas about the '51'.

[dwight]

I am certain it is a reference to the video circuit number. It is not in the video picture, and all the circuits pertaing to TV handled 525/60 4:3 image ratio. Similar numbers can be seen on the launch closed circuit TV feed. I have a document somewhere to the video distribution in MOCR.

[echnaton]

I hadn't seen that show before. It certainly is inspiring.