Jack King obituary
by Nigel Fountain from on (#BJY3)
Nasa PR chief recognisable to millions as the voice of America's space programme
Just before 9.30am Florida time, on 16 July 1969, Jack King confirmed his place in media history by describing technology in action, and transfixing audiences around the planet. "Two minutes and 10 seconds and counting," he said, in his flat, laconic, Bostonian tones. "The target for the Apollo 11 astronauts, the Moon " Third stage completely pressurised," he went on. "Second stage tanks are now pressurised " all engines running."
"We have a liftoff, 32 minutes past the hour. Liftoff on Apollo 11. Tower cleared." Thus did a calm King, at the centre of a global media clamour, count down as the Saturn V rocket blasted Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins off into their lunar epic.
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