Today marks a special day for the country, especially the Rocket City.
It was 40 years ago that the Apollo 11 crew boarded the Saturn 5 Rocket, and blasted off for the moon changing Huntsville and the world.
On July 20, 1969, the first person, Neil Armstrong, set foot on the moon.
40 years ago today that successful mission was launched.
One of the world greatest technological achievements of all times started right here in Huntsville.
The spokesperson for the Space and Rocket Center, Al Whitaker said, "It was Huntsville that designed and built the Saturn 5 that took us to the moon. It was 40 years ago today that those first 3 astronauts that were going to take us to the moon were on their way."
87 year old Charles Gillespie was one of the men who tested the Saturn 5 Rocket's engines to make sure it was ready for lift off.
"I guess I was really excited and proud to be involved with it," said Gillespie.
He watched Apollo 11's lift off on TV like many people around the world.
"It was exciting but it wasn't as exciting as it was for some people cause we'd kind of gotten used to the firing's and everything," said Gillespie.
The kids attending Space Camp are still in awe of the Saturn 5 Rocket today.
11 year old, Alyssia Martin said, "I think it's just amazing that they actually got up there when people thought that they couldn't and that they got to walk on the moon and that their footprints are still up there today."
Many of the kids that attend camp at the Space and Rocket Center have big hopes for the future of space exploration.
11 year old, Jack Helms said, "I think it would be really cool to go to Mars on the ARES 1 because we've already found water, well ice there, so there might have been life there and if we can just turn that ice into water then maybe we could have another planet."
"If the technology develops fast enough as fast as it did there it might be able to get people to live on the moon," said 11 year old Dana Melzer.
Every kid that WAAY-TV spoke with at Space Camp knew all about the accomplishments of Apollo 11.
They also want to be rocket scientists or astronauts when they grow up.
Reporter: Stephanie Beecken
Web Producer: Darcelle Hall
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