CF Library Showcasing Display on Space Exploration   Clifton Forge, VA (July 2, 2019) - In celebration of the 50th anniversary of America landing a man on the moon, the Clifton Forge Public Library is showcasing some of NASA’s achievements in space exploration. Featured are scale models of the rockets that preceded and soon followed the historic moon landing, such as the Mercury-Redstone Rocket. Alan Shephard became the first American in space when the Freedom 7 spacecraft blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on May 5, 1961, aboard the Mercury-Redstone Rocket. A scale model of the Mercury-Atlas Launchpad along with the Friendship 7 capsule is also on display. On February 20, 1962, this spacecraft carrying Astronaut John Glenn launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The successful mission made Glenn the first American to orbit the earth. The Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) is included. Astronaut Neil Armstrong exited this craft carried by the Apollo command module and became the first man to step on the moon on July 20, 1969. A sampling of rejected design concepts is included, such as Willy Ley’s Space Taxi and Werner von Braun’s Wheeled Space Station. Also included is a more recent space concept by Moller International called the Moller Sky Car. NASA’s space program unwittingly wielded a strong influence on the popular media of the time. Included are the Robot from Irwin Allen’s “Lost in Space” television series, Hanna-Barbera’s “The Jetsons” television cartoon, and the print media’s Space Coupe from the Dick Tracey comic strip. NASA’s more recent space exploration is reflected with such models as the Sojourner Mars Rover, commonly called the Pathfinder; the Mars Rover Curiosity; Discovery, one of several now-retired space shuttles; and, the Hubble Space Telescope. Rounding out the display are the May 5, 1961, and the February 20, 1962, editions of the “Covington Virginian,” now called the “Virginian Review.” The cover stories declare, “Heroic Shepard is First American Space Man;” and, in large, bold, capital print, “Glenn Does It!” A special selection of books on space is also being featured. The Library’s “In Celebration” display will be showcased throughout the month of July. The Clifton Forge Public Library is located at 535 Church Street. For information on any library programs and activities, call 863-2519.

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