While Space Tourism is a new age reality, the NASA tours to space for research and education purposes have been a reality since years now. With all the great landmarks in history are related to some myths and some fiction. As interesting as this science fiction is the bizarre truths of some NASA tours. Whether it is the space tour of NASA or the students’ tours to the NASA centers, there is a lot of excitement, adventure, and apprehension associated with the same. This leads to some myths and some interesting fables of reality. Read on.
The story of the invention of the space pen.
It is a common science-lore that writing in zero gravity was a problem, and millions of dollars were spent to invent a pen which could write in space. The truth is that the pen was actually developed by a private company and was used by NASA because it was a cheaper option in comparison to the costlier pencils.
Astronauts returning from Space were kept in isolation.
When humans were getting prepared for their first landing on the moon, there was a hypothesis by scientists that they will be contamination with lunar pathogenic microorganisms after returning from their nasa tours; and that the human body will not be immune to those foreign pathogens. On their return, they were kept in a quarantine facility for 21 days. However, there was no ill effect of exposure to material on the moon being observed.
The famous UFO spotting.
After being back from the nasa tour, astronaut Buzz Aldrin casually remarked that he ‘thought’ he saw a UFO. The news sear like fire although he had only seen one of the panels from the separation of the spacecraft from the upper stage.
Armstrong being the first man to land on the moon was just a matter of chance.
Neil Armstrong is a name that has gone down in history while also being used as a metaphor to explain how being first is important while the second is never important. A bizarre truth is that he was the one to land on the moon first simply because it was his turn in the rotation to be the commander.
A pen was used to power the space engine
While coming back from the first NASA tour to the moon, a circuit required to power the engine was not working. It was important to complete the circuit in order for the spacecraft to come back to earth. The astronauts used an ordinary felt pen to complete that circuit. Surely, in small things lies great value.
NASA pays people to stay in bed and relax.
Scientists sure are a special breed amongst human beings and research has been an interesting field of study. On the nasa tours to space, astronauts need to be kept healthy. For this reason, scientists need to study the effect of zero gravity in space on the body of a human being. So, healthy people take up the job to lie down on beds and be under observation.
The Kennedy Space Centre has some alligators on their ‘NASA tours’.
Merritt Island, NASA’s launch site for spacecraft is also home to many wild animals. While that is not very weird given the fact that the wildlife refuge shares the island with the KSC launch site, it is interesting to note that the scientists have used this as an opportunity to study its activities effects on the environment.
So be ready to experience the NASA tours. Atlantis supplements NASA tours with an educational experience and adventurous visits to the world’s best theme parks- Disney World, Sea World, and the Universal Studios at Orlando. Since 2008, more than 6000 students have traveled with Atlantis.