Jim Lovell - Email Interview Transcript
From: Nate Pietraszak
Sent: Sat 12/29/12 2:48 PM
To: Jim Lovell
Dear Mr. Lovell,
My name is Nate Pietraszak. I'm an 8th grader and as part of my Honors History class, I am constructing a National History Day project on a turning point in history. Ever since I can remember, I have been fascinated by airplanes, flight and space, so I chose Sputnik and its impact on America's race to space dominance as my project's focus.
As a member of NASA, you played an important role in America’s quest for space by being a member of Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8, and Apollo 13’s crews. I would love to ask you a few questions. First, how much pressure was there on both the Gemini missions and the Apollo missions you were part of to be successful because of the threat of the Soviet space program completely passing you by? And second, how did Sputnik’s launch influence you? I really appreciate your time and effort to both answer my questions and your contribution to the space program. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Nate Pietraszak
8th Grader
From: Jim Lovell
Sent: Wed 1/09/13 12:16 PM
To: 'Nate Pietraszak'
Dear Nate:
The answers to your questions are below. I am also attaching a list of frequently asked questions that might be of some assistance as well.
Good luck with your project.
Captain Lovell
1. There was no outside pressure. We were all eager to participate in space flights and we proceeded cautiously to make the flights successful. We didn’t think about the Russians.
2. Sputnik’s launch made us realize that the Soviets were further advanced in rocket technology than we thought!
James A. Lovell, Jr.
From: Nate Pietraszak
Sent: Sat 1/12/13 11:37 AM
To: Jim Lovell
Dear Mr. Lovell,
Thank you very much for replying! I really appreciate your answers, especially the part about realizing that the Soviets were more
advanced in rocket technology than you previously thought. Do you remember where you were when you heard of Sputnik’s launch and what impression it made on you?
Thank you again for your responses. They will be a great fit for my project!
Sincerely,
Nate Pietraszak
8th Grader
From: Jim Lovell
Sent: Mon 1/14/13 10:29 AM
To: 'Nate Pietraszak'
I was in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the date was 1957. I was surprised that the Russians beat the US in putting a satellite in space.
James A. Lovell, Jr.
Sent: Sat 12/29/12 2:48 PM
To: Jim Lovell
Dear Mr. Lovell,
My name is Nate Pietraszak. I'm an 8th grader and as part of my Honors History class, I am constructing a National History Day project on a turning point in history. Ever since I can remember, I have been fascinated by airplanes, flight and space, so I chose Sputnik and its impact on America's race to space dominance as my project's focus.
As a member of NASA, you played an important role in America’s quest for space by being a member of Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8, and Apollo 13’s crews. I would love to ask you a few questions. First, how much pressure was there on both the Gemini missions and the Apollo missions you were part of to be successful because of the threat of the Soviet space program completely passing you by? And second, how did Sputnik’s launch influence you? I really appreciate your time and effort to both answer my questions and your contribution to the space program. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Nate Pietraszak
8th Grader
From: Jim Lovell
Sent: Wed 1/09/13 12:16 PM
To: 'Nate Pietraszak'
Dear Nate:
The answers to your questions are below. I am also attaching a list of frequently asked questions that might be of some assistance as well.
Good luck with your project.
Captain Lovell
1. There was no outside pressure. We were all eager to participate in space flights and we proceeded cautiously to make the flights successful. We didn’t think about the Russians.
2. Sputnik’s launch made us realize that the Soviets were further advanced in rocket technology than we thought!
James A. Lovell, Jr.
From: Nate Pietraszak
Sent: Sat 1/12/13 11:37 AM
To: Jim Lovell
Dear Mr. Lovell,
Thank you very much for replying! I really appreciate your answers, especially the part about realizing that the Soviets were more
advanced in rocket technology than you previously thought. Do you remember where you were when you heard of Sputnik’s launch and what impression it made on you?
Thank you again for your responses. They will be a great fit for my project!
Sincerely,
Nate Pietraszak
8th Grader
From: Jim Lovell
Sent: Mon 1/14/13 10:29 AM
To: 'Nate Pietraszak'
I was in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the date was 1957. I was surprised that the Russians beat the US in putting a satellite in space.
James A. Lovell, Jr.