Apollo 11 Disaster Speech

Written by current New York Times columnist William Safire, this speech was part of a contingency plan in the event that the Apollo 11 astronauts became stranded on the moon.

Fate has ordained, that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay to rest in peace.

In ancient days, men looked at stars and saw their heroes in the constellations. In modern times, we do much the same, but our heroes are epic men of flesh and blood.

Others will follow, and surely find their way home. Man's search will not be denied. But these were the first, and will remain foremost in our hearts.

For every human being who looks up at the moon in the nights to come will know that there is some corner of another world that is forever mankind.

Would an unsuccessful Apollo 11 mission have led to the early decline of the American century? Would failure have had a greater impact than success? Regardless, this is one very eerie speech.