Paul in his Christchurch bedroom on the day after the Moon Landing, July 21, 1969
Paul in his Christchurch bedroom on the day after the Moon Landing, July 21, 1969
A young Paul McWilliam in his Christchurch bedroom, posters from 'The National Geographic’ magazine sellotaped to the walls, celebrating the moment the United States landed a man on the moon.
Knowing that the landing of the astronauts on the Moon was a magnitude of human discovery unlikely to be repeated in his lifetime, Paul chose to record the moment, setting up his camera and with the self-timer allowing him 10 seconds to pose, and capture his excitement of this momentous event. Forty three years later, following the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, the astronaut crew of the 133rd Space Shuttle flight visited Christchurch as a goodwill gesture. The Shuttle ‘Discovery’ and its crew had earlier in the year docked with the International Space Station during their 12 day mission. ‘Discovery’ was retired from service following this flight.
When shown this original moon landing photograph, the astronauts offered to sign it, and this photograph now holds the signatures of the crew members of STS-133: Steven Lindsey (Commander), Eric Boe (Pilot), and Mission Specialists Nicole Stott, Alvin Drew, Michael Barratt and Stephen Bowen.
Monday, July 21, 1969.
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