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PEOPLE Online: Welcome everyone. Thanks for
coming to our PEOPLE Auditorium this evening. We're honored to be joined by one of the heroes of the US space program, Buzz Aldrin, a member of the first team to land on the moon. And actor Bryan Cranston, who plays Aldrin in the HBO series "From the Earth to the Moon." Thank you both for joining us tonight. Bryan Cranston: Thanks for having us! Buzz Aldrin: We're happy to join all the viewer's of the first four episodes of "From The Earth To The Moon"! PEOPLE Online: Before we start, I understand that you're both joining us from unusual locations this evening? Buzz Aldrin: I am on board the Queen Mary cruise ship in Long Beach harbor and I am looking at a newspaper hanging on the wall across from me with the headline "Queen Mary Sails On Her Maiden Voyage" dated May 27, 1936 -- which strikes me as being quite to close to Charles Lindbergh's historic flight across the Atlantic. And it was May 25, 1961 when President John F. Kennedy challenged our nation to go to the Moon and return safely within the decade. And now, between questions I am looking at Popular Science magazine, in which there is an article about the International Space Station and John Glenn's return to space later this fall. Bryan Cranston: Conversely, at this very moment, I am sitting in a phone booth in the middle of the desert, scratching a flea ridden dog named Duke, and I am looking at a propane tank and many beautiful rocks... Buzz Aldrin: Why are you there? Bryan Cranston: I am scouting this location for a film I am directing later this year. Buzz Aldrin: I in the midst of two days at home -- between meetings in Washington, DC concerning my establishment of a company named ShareSpace, to encourage space tourism. Part of the program will sell lottery tickets -- Bryan Cranston: And I will be selling the tickets! Or at least be the first in line! HiMyNameIs____ asks: For Buzz -- What advice would you give someone who is interested in pursuing a career in the space program? Buzz Aldrin: These days you must have patience, a broad intellectual curiosity, a pleasing manner, congeniality, and you have to figure out who are the right people to impress. Bryan Cranston: Hmmm..sounds very political... Rudolph1701 asks: Bryan, was there any particular reason you were selected for Buzz's role during the audition and casting process? Bryan Cranston: Actually, I was hired very late in the project. I had just finished shooting a television show on a Friday night and Tom Hanks called my dressing room... and whenever Tom calls there is a "buzz" that follows him -- no pun intended, of course. He asked whether I would go down to Florida for three weeks to play Buzz Aldrin. I replied, "For you Tom, anything!" So, there was no real audition, just a phone call from Tom. DrRendezguest_08d42457 asks: Hi Buzz! I read that you were chosen for the astronaut corps mainly because you were very good at calculating rendezvous trajectories. Does this mean that you programmed the computers or that you had to do some intricate "stick and rudder" fling to dock? Buzz Aldrin: Well in 1961, attending MIT, I chose space rendezvous for my thesis and that so intrigued NASA that they removed the test pilot requirement for the third group selection of astronauts. While transitioning to NASA, I helped develop the rendezvous techniques for Gemini and Apollo, incorporating many of the same things I developed in my thesis. I conveyed much of those tactical approaches to the crews so that they might understand the process of rendezvous. Cathyguest_1bBryan Cranston41769 asks: Dr. Aldrin - I have two questions for you. Do you still keep in touch with any of the astronauts you worked with at NASA? Buzz Aldrin: Yes, I expect to see a number of them this summer as part of an annual reunion. And I am hoping to do a commercial in Japan with several fellow astronauts from the early pioneers groups. Bryan Cranston: What is the product? Buzz Aldrin: Toyota. (I don't think they would mind this 'plug') Cathyguest_1bBryan Cranston41769: And, if NASA offered you a space flight similar to the one John Glenn will be on shortly, would you accept the assignment? Buzz Aldrin: I don't think there is one chance in a million that NASA will offer any further rides to any former astronauts. If ShareSpace is involved in some capacity in selecting tourists-at-large I would be happy to join as an escort if asked by the commercial operators of the space shuttle. But more than likely, numerous seats will await the next generation transportation spacecraft in hopefully 8-10 years. Cathyguest_1bBryan Cranston41769 asks: Mr. Cranston - How did you prepare yourself to portray an astronaut and convey and react to feelings, such as prolonged weightlessness, that you most likely have never had before? Bryan Cranston: No, I haven't experienced weightlessness, or at least, not for long, just at on large roller coaster! But seriously, I prepared for this role quite quickly. I did read one of Buzz's books (they are quite good, by the way) and excerpts from the others. I also read Andrew Chaikin's book, which the series is based on, and read the transcripts and watched the videos of Buzz's missions. However, the job of an actor is to imagine -- and you imagine what it must be like, and then rely on the experts -- Buzz and David Scott -- to help you key in on certain aspects which keeps the authenticity in line. And that was very important to me -- not only to remain authentic -- but to pay homage to the great man I was portraying. Buzz Aldrin: Who directed your scenes? Bryan Cranston: Tom Hanks and Frank Marshall -- and Tom, for those who don't know, is a real space enthusiast and was very concerned with portraying the program correctly and accurately. Stanmtnman asks: What did it feel like to walk on the moon and see the Earth from there? Buzz Aldrin: The opportunity to join Neil Armstrong on Apollo 11 had to be a crowning opportunity in my life. To carry out the dreams of centuries -- and the commitment of a nation -- the responsibilities for doing our best were awesome. And perhaps, because of that, our attention was overly focused on the immediate task at hand -- and perhaps it prevented us from enjoying the overall experience; seeing the Earth and realizing that we were further away than any humans had ever been before and yet, more human thoughts were directed toward us than perhaps any human beings before than. Bryan Cranston: That is an awesome thought. Buzz Aldrin: Setting that all aside though, we did our best to observe, report, and return safely -- paving the way for many more thorough explorations on later flights. RocketMan707 asks: Dr. Aldrin, in what profession did you see yourself as a teenager? Buzz Aldrin: My father was an early aviation pioneer. I had my first airplane ride with him at age two. As a teenager I witnessed the evolution of aircraft employed during World War II. So, becoming a pilot was an obvious path and military training, via West Point, was the logical path which I pursued.
Justinl_98 asks: Where do you think our next step into space
should be? Do you think we should go on to Mars, or back to the Moon
first?
Buzz Aldrin: I think we should successfully complete the space station as
rapidly as possible, lay the groundwork for two-stage reusable rockets,
develop tourism for widespread opportunities, and then, after tourist
hotels, use those launch rockets to return to the Moon, developing the
Mars transportation systems as we explore the Moon and commit to Mars
only when we're willing to accept growing permanent settlements
there.
Bryan Cranston: Wow! I would love to volunteer! Although, I would feel
totally inadequate -- I would be taking up space!
Buzz Aldrin: On the contrary, it would take an interpreter, like an actor,
to convey the vastness and wonders of space to the masses.
Bryan Cranston: When you first hear about ShareSpace and space tourism, you
think this is really out of this world -- but then you think about it
and you realize we have been to the Moon, we have taken pictures of the
Moon and Mars, and you start to realize the opportunities are opening. I
am certainly not a scientist -- but I would think this is very exciting
and possible! Bryan Cranston: No, unfortunately -- we didn't. Buzz Aldrin: Well, I talked to some writers, but they were very quickly determining the role of the book author and the producers. You can only have so many kibbitz's on set... Bryan Cranston: (laughs) I think you would have been welcome. The strenuous activities I experienced in the lunar lander set and wearing the spacesuits -- which according to astronaut David Scott were pretty realistic -- brought me to a question I had for Buzz: Buzz said earlier that it would be like a million to one that they would want to bring back the former astronauts to active flight duty. I thought it would be such a waste, as to they could gain from learning from the former astronauts. So my question was, "Is it a young man's game? Is there a limiting factor keeping you guys from rejoining the ranks?" Buzz Aldrin: General spaceflight is not particularly physically demanding -- except perhaps dealing with contingencies -- but is with the same category as dealing with incidents aboard airplanes. Young, healthy people are less likely to have small medical situations arise that require attention as compared to older folks. But I also believe the older folks are less sensitive to early nausea or disorientation. Bryan Cranston: Hmmm... Kenkut asks: What effect did an Earth-rise have on you? Do you think we would all respect the planet more if we could all witness an Earth-rise? Bryan Cranston: Good question. Buzz Aldrin: The gorgeous colors as a result of the rising and setting of the sun from orbit contrasted with the velvet black sky and distant Earth in the field of view are indeed spectacular. But I believe so are majestic mountains and terrestrial and marine life experiences. All of these are part of the wonderful things we're blessed with, called life. Raehtzer asks: What is it like to portray a legend like Buzz? Buzz Aldrin: Fun, I hope... Bryan Cranston: Intimidating. Looking upon his life and what he has been able to accomplish, and not just the obvious and what everyone remembers him for, but also his lesser known achievements, one can get very intimidated. He was the first astronaut to have an PhD from a highly respected institute, MIT. And the items that he specified in his doctoral thesis -- I can't even spell. So, yes -- I was quite intimidated; but once I got past that, I realized that I had a job to do as well. I don't think anyone can do a job quite well if they are intimidated, so I quickly disspelled that notion and began to work -- and started talking to people who knew Buzz -- NASA, people he knew and began to know his personality and drive which allowed him to do what he did. In that same aspect, when you look at making a film, it would be cinematically boring if all the characters came off the same way. So, actors do look at different ways to portray their characters as accurately as they can, especially when they have, as in this case, a profound honor to play the part. Usually, I go from playing a rapist to a lawyer to a car salesmen to a dirty cop to whatever -- so indeed it was the career pleasure of my life to date, after 20 years of acting, to do this role. PEOPLE Online: And here's the flip side of that question: YoKjml asks: What do you think of Mr. Cranston's portrayal of you in "From the Earth To The Moon"? Buzz Aldrin: I think he probably portrayed the part as best he could without knowing me, and relying on the the writer's impressions. I acknowledge I am not the easiest guy to understand who has ever entered the astronaut corps, possibly causing in turn some controversy, so it was a challenge for Bryan and he met that challenge in a most admirable way. He might play the part slightly differently now that he knows me better. Bryan Cranston: I think he is right. Rudolph1701 asks: How differently do you view yourself and your fellow Apollo astronauts, compared to the shuttle astronauts of today? Buzz Aldrin: From mission to mission we were really pioneering changes and advancing step-by-step the building blocks needed to approach lunar missions with confidence of success. Today's missions appear to be characterized with more routine challenges but conversely, incorporates the greatest examples of high perfection and professionalism as a result of such evolved training simulations. Cwithington asks: Dr. Aldrin: Do you feel spacecrafts are safer now or when you travelled to the moon? Buzz Aldrin: I think today's spacecrafts are much safer than the changing pioneer spacecrafts for every flight. Reusability of the shuttle gives tremendous confidence in its performance. Bryan Cranston: I would guess you would have more control over your reentry today than when you were flying? Buzz Aldrin: Yes, there is much more control today than the marginally controlled ballistic flights I flew. PEOPLE Online: This next one is for both of you: Rudolph1701 asks: If given the opportunity to live on the moon, would you? Buzz Aldrin: I think one full month would satisfy me, although I would much prefer two years on Mars. Bryan Cranston: It's like, I love New York, but I wouldn't want to live there again -- I think I would miss too much of the things human's love -- the ocean, restaurants... Going to Mars...how long would it take, Buzz? Buzz Aldrin: About six months to get there, six months to return, and about 18 months in between. Later missions, to insure continued occupancy you would need three and half years between arrival and departure to rotate the occupancies. Big_Sexy311 asks: Buzz, what were some of your thoughts when you were on the moon? Buzz Aldrin: My thoughts while on the moon were concentrated on what needed to be done successfully before we returned home. I can't recall if we really excercized our right of daydreaming. Bryan Cranston: I remember reading how you had the pressure of sticking to the schedule and getting everything accomplished. The landing was amazing in itself, but they had real work to do -- collecting and reading samples. Sean_18_Fire asks: How did you sleep while on the moon? Buzz Aldrin: Sleeping was "bitful" -- going and coming -- and especially so as we were curled up on the floor in the lunar module. In the command module, we used a net-hammock-like container -- suspended underneath the couches. And although sunlight was present at all times, the windows were covered, and it was pleasantly dark inside. Bryan Cranston: I wonder if they brought the proper plugs for their electric blankets. Buzz Aldrin: (laughs) Noname138 asks: Do either of you like Star trek or science fiction in general? Buzz Aldrin: I like the stimulation of the imagination from science fiction -- where it can perhaps inspire us to think of far-out, but realistic situations, but there is great danger of mis-education and mis-interpretation. Bryan Cranston: You mean Martians aren't really green? Buzz Aldrin: Green germs. (laughs) We need to know the difference between projected fantasy and reality situations. Bryan Cranston: Like any other art-form it relies on the quality of the story telling. Is it well done? I never enjoyed the types of sci-fi that all of sudden came up with an escape for its hero. PeteTong asks: Dr Aldrin, do you believe we are alone in the universe? Buzz Aldrin: Well I think its reasonable to assume, with interpretation of the statistics, that we're probably not alone but we're separated by intelligence by vast, vast differences and separated from other life forms by great distances. Bryan Cranston: I think it would be presumptuous and diminutive thinking to think we are alone. In fact, l have someone right here with me -- you know they do love these desert locations! (laughs) PEOPLE Online: Thanks, Buzz Aldrin and Bryan Cranston, for joining us this evening. Those are all the questions we have time for, but perhaps you have some closing thoughts? Buzz Aldrin: Well, I hope the participants tune in and enjoy "From The Earth To The Moon" and realize it is a docu-drama with great attempts to be accurate -- but nothing renders total correctness. Bryan Cranston: Oh, great I get to follow a rocket scientist! I think everyone remembers where they were when they landed on the Moon -- "From The Earth To The Moon" goes ways beyond that and explores the nuances of what it took to go to the Moon. I thought I was pretty up on it -- but I learned how dangerous and how amazingly close they were to failure -- and I think the drama will be apparent when you watch the rest of the series. I think what will really have an impact, and what I would really like to see, is those who were not old enough to remember the drama of that period, go outside after an episode airs and looks at the moon differently. Buzz Aldrin: Thanks to Tom Hanks and his crew, the moon is not so much a stranger as it was to a great many people as before. Bryan Cranston: I think that is really important -- it does take someone of that stature to bring this project to fruition. PEOPLE Online: And, again, thanks to both of you for joining us this evening. It's been a real pleasure speaking to you. Bryan, good luck with the series, and Buzz, have fun on the Queen Mary! Bryan Cranston: Terrific! Thanks for having me and I would welcome an invitation anytime! PEOPLE Online: And thanks to everyone online for your great questions! You can come and read the transcript of tonight's chat at nss.org/apollo--that's the National Space Society's website, or at our PEOPLE website -- people.com And see Buzz Aldrin on the Moon at LIFE's special "LIFE in Space" at www.space.life.com If you didn't get your questions answered by Buzz Aldrin tonight, you can send it to him at "Ask An Astronaut" at www.nss.org/askastro And of course, dont forget to watch "From the Earth to the Moon" tomorrow night at 8pm ET on HBO. Join us next week online, same time, same place, for the fourth in our series of chats about space and the making of "From the Earth to the Moon." Our guests will be veteran reporter Hugh Downs, actor Lane Smith, who plays reporter Emmett Seaborn, actor Stephen Root, who plays NASA director Chris Kraft, and NASA director Chris Kraft himself. We hope to see you all next week.
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