"We astronauts are here today to salute all those who made our trip into space possible. They have permitted us to see the Earth as a precious blue jewel in the blackness of space. Now all of us may enjoy this sense of wonder because of Walt Disney."
With those words 50 years ago today (Jan. 15), Apollo 15 moonwalker Jim Irwin opened Space Mountain at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Florida. Later to be reproduced at other Disney theme parks, this was the original — the first roller coaster intended to give the public the same feeling that only astronauts had experienced up until then.
