Posts Tagged ‘Atlantis’
America’s Human Space Flight Program 1961 to 2011: An Epitaph
July 21st, 2011, just 42 years and one day after the first landing on the Moon, I sat and watched America’s Human Space Flight Program come to an end after more than 50 years. As the final “Wheels Stop” was announced by the Commander, I watched in tears [Read More]
How Long Has it Been Since an American Astronaut Has Flown on an American Launch Vehicle to Orbit?
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More Bitter Than Sweet
What can you say? It is the end. The last launch of the most successful American Human Space Flight Program, in fact the most successful HSF program in world history, after thirty years. Fourteen people have given their lives riding these magnificent birds striving to [Read More]
Interview Updates
The Space Show interview and parts of the CBS interview are now online. You can download The Space Show interview here or you can download it from iTunes. You can view parts of the CBS 60 minutes interview here. The entire 60 Minutes interview will be broadcast later this [Read More]
We Do All We Can Do-Space Shuttle Workforce Tribute
Below is a music video (hat tip goes to Mark Bray of Braynstorms.com) giving tribute to the Space Shuttle Workforce written and performed by Dan Keenan and Kenny McLaughlin who both worked at Kennedy Space Center. I know many of the people in the video and you [Read More]
Rocketman to Appear on the Space Show After Launch Friday.
Friday, July 8th, I will be appearing on The Space Show with Dr. Livingston 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm EST shortly after the last launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis. Dr. Livingston and I will be discussing my reflections on the launch, and what it was like to work in the Space [Read More]
Fading Away Into Mythos
Mythos is a Greek word meaning story or legend. Many myths throughout culture were just that, myths. But, sometimes, those myths actually had some truth to them. How does a real event become a myth? How does something that we accept today become a legend or myth to [Read More]
A Surreal Day
Last Thursday I received a email invite from Brevard Workforce, asking me to participate in a Townhall meeting hosted by CBS news anchor Scott Pelley for the show 60 Minutes. On Saturday I drove over to Brevard County and had the most surreal day I’ve had for a long [Read More]
Shuttle Launch Director’s Message to His Firing Room Team.
Mike Leinbach, the launch director at Kennedy Space Center, ran the final launch simulation the other day in prepreation for the final Space Shuttle launch scheduled for July 8th. He took a minute or two to speak to his entire Firing Room Team and most eloquently summed [Read More]
“It is in the DNA of our great country to reach for the stars and explore. We must not stop.” – Commander Mark Kelly
Those were the words spoken by Commander Mark Kelly just before he lifted off on Endeavour’s final mission. It was a spectacular launch and a spectacular honest statement by Commander Kelly. Many people took his statement as a plea for our nation’s Human [Read More]
Charlie Bolden Says: “Your State Voted For Obama? Here, Have a Space Shuttle!
I wasn’t going to comment on NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden’s decision for placement of the soon to be retired Space Shuttles, but since everyone else is throwing in their two cents, I might as well too. The decision made by Charlie Bolden, and I’m [Read More]
The Space Show Interview Is Now Online
Last night I appeared on The Space Show hosted by Dr. David Livingston. The interview went so well that it went a half hour over the scheduled time. There were many good calls and email questions from all over the world and Kennedy Space Center. I wanted to thank the [Read More]
The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same.
The editorial below was written by Jim Slade in 1991 for ABC Radio. It applies to our situation now as it did then. Jim Slade 1991 More of Jim’s writings can be found here. [Read More]
An Idea Whose Time May Have Come.
America’s Human Space Flight program (HSF) is a mess. With the attempted cancellation of Constellation by the politician in the White House Mr. Obama, 535 members of Congress fighting over two other options of their creation, America’s HSF program is truly [Read More]
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
The RV-103 lecture series visited the elementary schools in Olean NY this week. The 5th grade curriculum for NY schools has the students learning about space related topics starting that year and talk about an enthusiastic groups of kids! The kids got to hear a [Read More]
Put Your Face In Space!
From the NASA web site: “Fly Your Face in Space NASA wants to put a picture of you on one of the two remaining space shuttle missions and launch it into orbit. To launch your face into space and become a part of history, just follow these steps: First…Select the [Read More]
Join the Misadventures!
RV-103 is proud to announce the RV-103 Lecture Series. The RV-103 Lecture Series is designed to present to civic groups, schools 5th grade and up, and scout troops what it is like to be involved and work in Human Space Flight, specifically the Space Shuttle Program. The [Read More]
05-26-10 Space Shuttle Atlantis Comes Home for the Last Time?
Space Shuttle Atlantis arrived home for the last time today. After a picture perfect mission to the ISS, Atlantis safely arrived at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility and was put to bed in OPF 1. Well done OPF 1 and the United Space Alliance TPS crew! Ken Ham, the [Read More]
05-14-10 Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on Her Last Mission?
Space Shuttle Atlantis launched on her last mission after 25 years of service. The launch was flawless and the Atlantis mission to the ISS is to deliver science experiments and a new Russian laboratory. Try to make some time to visit the NASA channel and watch this [Read More]