To Collins, a man to whom history mattered, the event required words worthy of the moment, a statement that not only captured this cutting of the cosmic umbilical cord but would remind future generations that humankind understood the magnitude of what it was about to attempt. He radioed the spacecraft. “Apollo 8, Houston.” “Go ahead, Houston,” Borman replied. “Apollo 8. You are Go for TLI. Over.” And that was it. Shit! Collins thought. Here we are at this instant in history that shall forever be remembered, and it’s just some guy saying “You are Go for TLI.” And yet that was the way men who
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