Is it possible that Apollo 11 could've had a different crew? If so, who are the most likely to replace Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin as the first men on the moon?
Jim Lovell and Alan Shepherd are the two most likely mission commanders. Jack Swigert would have been a good choice for Command Module pilot since he specialized in it, though Vance Brand would also be a good choice. And assuming we can get NASA to think ahead a little bit, Harrison Schmidt would be perfect for Lunar Module pilot. A trained geologist, sending a scientist to the Moon early in the program (instead of it's final fight) might get NASA more support by showing that they're actually going there for scientific reasons and might get them funding for missions up though Apollo 19.
Lovell was actually the most qualified at the time IMO. Hell, he was on the backup crew for Apollo 11. Moving him to prime crew wouldn't have been a big dealAlan Shepard is still medically grounded and if he gets around that has no in-space/flight experience with APOLLO (which was a big deal for the "first" try missions). Schirra is retired, and burned a lot burns on AS 17, Cooper is done. Borman, McDivitt, and Stafford are the most experienced with command experience on the active roster other than Schirra .
There was no shortage of qualified crew members. Armstrong won with the most assertive-sounding name. And Aldrin sounds a little like adrenaline.
Lovell was actually the most qualified at the time IMO. Hell, he was on the backup crew for Apollo 11. Moving him to prime crew wouldn't have been a big deal
I think his head injury around 1964 was serious enough that he could not be considered.there is also the 800 pound gorilla that no one mentioned yet. If enough political clout was used and He hadn't decided to get completely out of the astronaut business, John Glenn just might be put on the crew as lead. Would you want to be the one to say we don't want John Glenn to land on the moon?
there is also the 800 pound gorilla that no one mentioned yet. If enough political clout was used and He hadn't decided to get completely out of the astronaut business, John Glenn just might be put on the crew as lead. Would you want to be the one to say we don't want John Glenn to land on the moon?
Have the prime crew exposd to measles or the like would get you that resultJim Lovell, Fred Haise, and William Anders were the backup crew. Maybe them?