Merritt Island in Brevard County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The End of the Beginning
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, June 24, 2021
1. The End of the Beginning Marker
What began as a competition of fear in 1958 became a quest for common ground 17 years later. On July 15, 1975, Russia launched their Soyuz spacecraft into orbit. Seven hours later, the Saturn IB launched an Apollo Command Service Module fitted with the first international space component – a docking ring. It would enable old enemies to link up in space, and establish a new world goal, hand in hand. Fifty-two hours after the Soyuz launch, the two spacecraft linked up and spent two days together, sharing space as one.
In our time, we have been the privileged witness of “One giant leap for mankind.” As proud a moment as it was, the giant leap wasn’t just walking on our moon. It was also a giant leap of faith – a new understanding, inspired by our first sight of this fragile Earth from space.
Rocket Data: Saturn IB
Height: 223 ft (68 m)
Diameter: 225.7 in (6.5 m)
First stage propellants: Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Kerosene
Second stage propellants: Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Liquid Hydrogen
Lift-off thrust: 2,000,000 lbs
this page online
Erected by Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Exploration • War, Cold. A significant historical date for this entry is July 15, 1975.
Location. 28° 31.437′ N, 80° 41.002′ W. Marker is on Merritt Island, Florida, in Brevard County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Space Commerce Way and NASA Parkway West, on the left when traveling east. The marker is located within the Rocket Garden exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 405 NASA Pkwy W, Merritt Island FL 32953, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. An Industry Workhorse (here, next to this marker); Delta II: By The Numbers (a few steps from this marker); Shaping Things to Come (a few steps from this marker); Working in Space, Two By Two (a few steps from this marker); The Power of Apollo (within shouting distance of this marker); Learning to Phone Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Getting History Off the Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); Shooting the Moon, Dreaming of Stars (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Merritt Island.
Also see . . .
1. Saturn IB Rocket. (Submitted on July 6, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, June 24, 2021
2. The End of the Beginning Marker
2. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Submitted on July 6, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Photographed By Nasa
3. Saturn IB launch in 1973
Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 60 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 6, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
