Computer Analysis Sets NASA History Straight

Ellis D. Tripp writes, "A computer analysis has upheld Neil Armstrong's version of the first words spoken on the lunar surface. The word 'a' was dropped due to a communications glitch, and Armstrong has been accused of flubbing his words since the historic 1969 landing. The corrected statement was 'That's one small step for *A* man, One giant leap for mankind.'"

Comments

Check it for yourself!

[mrjb]

I went off and downloaded the Sound clip

Obviously, this was originally an analog recording, so there was no possibility for 'time farts' which are sometimes caused by digital congestion.

There's no space between 'for' and 'man' that leaves room for a 'A'. If you *want* it enough though, you can imagine one right there. Note however that mr. Armstrong was speaking clearly and articulately at the time of those historic words (as anyone would, knowing they were making history). I find the explanation that Neil realized his goof-up and therefore paused after the word 'Man' more plausible.

"The "a" was transmitted, though, and can be verified in an analysis using a Canadian sound editing software called GoldWave, Ford said."

Gold Wave would probably be my LAST choice in any audio analysis. And what an in-depth analysis it was: Ford viewed the wave form in spectrum view, wanted to see an 'uh' sound and guess what? There it was, right at the end of the 'r' sound (which has similar spectral characteristics).

"Ford contacted Hansen and compiled his findings in the format of a scientific paper."
Which doesn't automatically make it a scientific paper. Of course if someone can link to the paper, I'd be more than willing to verify it.