SAINT CLOUD, Minn. – Seven NASA astronauts, several who embarked on the Apollo mission, visited Apollo High School in St. Cloud to share a message of inspiration and to help launch new technology that could one day be used in space.
The event, called Apollo at Apollo, was the vision of Apollo High School graduate John Pederson, who said after 40 years, no Apollo astronaut had ever visited Apollo High School since its 1970 opening, until now.
Pederson is the founder and CEO of LVX System, a company born from his invention of energy efficient light communication technology, where by harnessing light, light photons carry high speed data, what he calls essentially fiberless technology that can deliver wireless internet capabilities. His patented technology will be installed in a panel inside Apollo High School. Pederson said he is also collaborating with NASA to see how this technology could be useful in space.
"It will change everyone's life just as electricity did and just as radio did. I view it as one of the major steps because you don't get a new communication medium very often," said Pederson.
The astronauts helping him launch his technology include moon walker Charlie Duke of Apollo 16, Al Worden of Apollo 15, Walt Cunningham of Apollo 7, Jack Lousma of Skylab 3, Jerry Carr of Skylab 4, Ed Gibson of Skylab 4, and Space Shuttle Challenger Pilot Jon McBride of STS 41G.
Duke said 42 years after he's walked on the moon, he remembers the landscape like it was yesterday.
"As I stepped onto the moon for the first time, just the wonder of it all was so overwhelming, I started thinking nobody has ever been here before it's fascinating. The most incredibly beautiful desert I have ever seen, gray in color, shades of gray."
The mission of the Apollo program, from 1963-1972, was to land humans on the moon and bring them safely back to Earth, accomplished by six separate missions. Duke said even more meaningful than his landing on the moon was perspective brought by his faith when he became a Christian six years later.
"I ended up having an opportunity to go all over the world and share the oneness of earth and of humankind and I think no matter what your color, background or race, the oneness of God's earth is moving to me," said Duke.
The astronauts wrapped up the evening by signing a commemorative plaque that will be attached to the NASA donated Apollo test capsule on permanent display outside the school.
