Cedar Rapids, Iowa — The pioneering work done in the 1960s by employees of what was then Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids is the subject of a documentary that premiered Friday, December 21st.
“Moon Talk” tells the story of the technology developed at Collins that enabled astronauts aboard the Apollo 8 Moon mission to speak with Mission Control. Retired systems engineer Steve Tyson says the company’s contributions were critical.
Apollo 8 launched 50 years ago this week — on December 21st of 1968. It became the first manned space flight to leave Earth’s orbit. Astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders circled the moon ten times. Tyson says it’s an aspect of space history he didn’t fully appreciate.
A free showing of “Moon Talk” took place in Marion on Friday. Known for decades as Rockwell Collins, the company was purchased last month by UTC Aerospace Systems and is now known as Collins Aerospace. With about 9,000 workers, it’s Cedar Rapids’ largest employer.
(Thanks to Rob Dillard, Iowa Public Radio)
