A bunch of guys about to turn blue.

Transcript of communication between the Apollo 11 astronauts and Mission Control as the Lunar Module [Eagle] approached the surface of the moon:
 

  EAGLE: 540 feet, down at 30 [feet per second]...down at 15...400 feet down at 9...forward...350 feet, down at 4...300 feet, down 3 1/2...47 forward...1 1/2 down...13 forward...11 forward coming down nicely...200 feet, 4 1/2 down...5 1/2 down...5 percent...75 feet...6 forward...lights on...down 2 1/2...40 feet? down 2 1/2, kicking up some dust...30 feet, 2 1/2 down...faint shadow...4 forward...4 forward...drifting to right a little...O.K....
 
HOUSTON: 30 seconds.
 
EAGLE: Contact light! O.K., engine stop...descent engine command override off...
 
HOUSTON: We copy you down, Eagle.
 
EAGLE: Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed!
 
HOUSTON: Roger, Tranquility. We copy you on the ground. You've got a bunch of guys about to turn blue. We're breathing again. Thanks a lot.

 

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So, what did Houston mean by "30 seconds" ?

 

This was the amount of fuel left in the Lunar Module for lunar descent. If they had gone below the zero mark, they were not assured of having enough fuel to lift off the moon and rendezvous with the command module in order to return to Earth.

 

Apollo 11 was 30 seconds away from aborting the lunar landing.  That's why a bunch of guys in Houston were about to turn blue.

 

 

http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/apollo11/land.htm

 

 

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