Information about former astronauts/cosmonauts/space flight participants

[ddspaceman]

A break from sad news on this thread, here is a fun one.

Elon Musk vs Jeff Bezos? Astronaut Reacts To Anonymous Questions | Honesty Box

[ddspaceman]

Mike Massimino
@Astro_Mike
Many thanks to my friend and astronaut colleague @StationCDRKelly for the kind endorsement of my new book, Moonshot: A NASA Astronaut's Guide to Achieving the Impossible now available for pre-order:
https://mikemassimino.com/moonshot.
Meaningful words, especially since they are from Scott!

https://twitter.com/Astro_Mike/status/1721503734914580861

[ddspaceman]

collectSPACE
@collectSPACE
Frank Borman, Apollo 8 astronaut who led first flight to the moon, dies at 95:
Full story here:  http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-110923a-apollo-8-astronaut-frank-borman-obituary.html

https://twitter.com/collectSPACE/status/1722707500879728659

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-administrator-honors-life-of-apollo-astronaut-frank-borman/

NASA Administrator Honors Life of Apollo Astronaut Frank Borman

Abbey A. Donaldson
NOV 09, 2023
RELEASE
23-128
NASA Headquarters

The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on the passing of former NASA astronaut Col. (ret.) Frank Borman, who passed away Nov. 7, in Billings, Montana, at the age of 95.

“Today we remember one of NASA’s best. Astronaut Frank Borman was a true American hero. Among his many accomplishments, he served as the commander of the Apollo 8 mission, humanity’s first mission around the Moon in 1968.

“His lifelong love for aviation and exploration was only surpassed by his love for his wife Susan.

“Frank began his career as an officer with the U.S. Air Force. His love of flying proved essential through his positions as a fighter pilot, operational pilot, test pilot, and assistant professor. His exceptional experience and expertise led him to be chosen by NASA to join the second group of astronauts.

“In addition to his critical role as commander of the Apollo 8 mission, he is a veteran of Gemini 7, spending 14 days in low-Earth orbit and conducting the first rendezvous in space, coming within a few feet of the Gemini 6 spacecraft.

“Frank continued his passion for aviation after his time with NASA as the CEO of Eastern Airlines.

“Frank knew the power exploration held in uniting humanity when he said, ‘Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit.’ His service to NASA and our nation will undoubtedly fuel the Artemis Generation to reach new cosmic shores.”

For more about Borman’s NASA career, photos, and his agency biography, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/former-astronaut-frank-borman/

-end-

[AS_501]

If you listen carefully to the Apollo 8 in-cabin audio while the famed "Earthrise" photos were being taken, you will hear Borman telling Lovell to settle down in the excitement of the moment.  Borman always and properly asserted his leadership, even with a crew of only two.  R.I.S. (Rest In Space).

[Dalhousie]

If you listen carefully to the Apollo 8 in-cabin audio while the famed "Earthrise" photos were being taken, you will hear Borman telling Lovell to settle down in the excitement of the moment.  Borman always and properly asserted his leadership, even with a crew of only two.  R.I.S. (Rest In Space).

Otherwise known as being cranky!

[ddspaceman]

Mike Fossum
@astro_aggie
54 years ago I stood in McAllen, TX, staring at the moon after 2 Americans did our first moonwalk. What an honor to be with Buzz Aldrin and two colleagues for the unveiling of a statue of 2LT Aldrin where he completed pilot training! The old Bryan AFB is now part of Texas A&M.

Dr. Buzz Aldrin
@TheRealBuzz
Blessed for time on Veterans’ Day at Texas A&M with seasoned Space Shuttle astronauts, left to right - Nancy J. Currie-Gregg, Bonnie J. Dunbar, and Michael E. Fossum. God bless you for your service!

https://twitter.com/astro_aggie/status/1723631341571359148

[ddspaceman]

Marcia Smith
@SpcPlcyOnline
Bob Cabana will retire from NASA on Dec. 31.  Currently Associate Administrator, the top civil servant in the agency, he's a former shuttle astronaut and director of two NASA centers (Stennis and Kennedy).

More info here: https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-associate-administrator-bob-cabana-to-retire-after-38-years/

https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/1724123077083111810

Bill Nelson
@SenBillNelson
It’s with mixed emotions I announce one of the finest leaders I've ever known @Astro_CabanaBob will retire at the end of 2023. Bob is an example of the grit, passion & excellence that are woven into the fabric of America & we're so grateful for his service.

https://twitter.com/SenBillNelson/status/1724127616058212859

[ddspaceman]

Pamela Melroy
@Astro_Pam
A heartfelt congratulations to @Astro_CabanaBob today as he announces his retirement effective the end of this year. Bob has been a fantastic colleague and leader with @SenBillNelson and me as we’ve worked as a crew to serve @NASA. His passion, friendship, and daily humor will be sorely missed. Best of luck in your next chapter, Bob!

https://twitter.com/Astro_Pam/status/1724128275872485427

[ddspaceman]

Paolo Nespoli – Human Space Endeavours: Today, Tomorrow, After-Tomorrow, After-after Tomorrow
A recording of a lecture by Paolo Nespoli, which took place on 14 November 2023, at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague, in lecture room D1-266.

[ddspaceman]

NASA
@NASA
We are saddened by the passing of astronaut Mary Cleave. In addition to her two spaceflights, she was also the first woman to oversee NASA's Science Mission Directorate.

Today, we celebrate her 76 years of life and accomplishments: https://go.nasa.gov/3RnsnJA

https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1729993103245820021

NASA Remembers Trailblazing Astronaut, Scientist Mary Cleave

Retired NASA astronaut Mary Cleave, a veteran of two NASA spaceflights, died Nov. 27. She was 76. A scientist with training in civil and environmental engineering, as well as biological sciences and microbial ecology, Cleave was the first woman to serve as an associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.

Born in Southampton, New York, Cleave received a Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, in 1969, and Master of Science in microbial ecology and a doctorate in civil and environmental engineering, both from Utah State University, Logan, in 1975 and 1979, respectively.

“I’m sad we’ve lost trail blazer Dr. Mary Cleave, shuttle astronaut, veteran of two spaceflights, and first woman to lead the Science Mission Directorate as associate administrator,” said NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana. “Mary was a force of nature with a passion for science, exploration, and caring for our home planet. She will be missed.”

Cleave was selected as an astronaut in May 1980. Her technical assignments included flight software verification in the SAIL (Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory), spacecraft communicator on five space shuttle flights, and malfunctions procedures book and crew equipment design.

Cleave launched on her first mission, STS-61B, aboard space shuttle Atlantis on Nov. 26,1985. During the flight, the crew deployed communications satellites, conducted two six-hour spacewalks to demonstrate space station construction techniques, operated the Continuous Flow Electrophoresis experiment for McDonnell Douglas and a Getaway Special container for Telesat and tested the Orbiter Experiments Digital Autopilot.

Cleave’s second mission, STS-30, which also was on Atlantis, launched May 4, 1989. It was a four-day flight during which the crew successfully deployed the Magellan Venus exploration spacecraft, the first planetary probe to be deployed from a space shuttle. Magellan arrived at Venus in August 1990 and mapped more than 95% of the surface. In addition, the crew also worked on secondary payloads involving indium crystal growth, electrical storms, and Earth observation studies.

Cleave transferred from NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston to the agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland in May 1991. There, she worked in the Laboratory for Hydrospheric Processes as the project manager for SeaWiFS (Sea-viewing, Wide-Field-of-view-Sensor), an ocean color sensor which monitored vegetation globally.

In March 2000, she went to serve as deputy associate administrator for advanced planning in the Office of Earth Science at NASA’s Headquarters in Washington. From August 2005 to February 2007, Cleave was the associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate where she guided an array of research and scientific exploration programs for planet Earth, space weather, the solar system, and the universe. She also oversaw an assortment of grant-based research programs and a diverse constellation of spacecraft, from small, principal investigator-led missions to large flagship missions.

Cleave’s awards included: two NASA Space Flight medals; two NASA Exceptional Service medals; an American Astronautical Society Flight Achievement Award; a NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal; and NASA Engineer of the Year.

Cleave retired from NASA in February 2007.
https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-remembers-trailblazing-astronaut-scientist-mary-cleave/