Author Topic: Who is your favorite astronaut? (Read 43344 times)

Renee · « **on:** 04/25/2008 03:51 pm »

Gush about your shuttle heros, post pictures, bios and facts. Talk about upcoming lectures, seminars or events that current or retired shuttle astronauts will be speaking at. This is not limited to shuttle astronauts, but any apollo veterans that are still around too. Let's keep it respectful, these are some of the bravest people that I am honored to know and work with.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #1 on:** 04/25/2008 04:08 pm »

Good thread opener. Even though some of us are more interested in the vehicles, as hardware rules....

...Pam "Pambo" Melroy, or Robert "Beamer Shakes" Curbeam. Probably John Young overall.

rsp1202 · « **Reply #2 on:** 04/25/2008 05:54 pm »

Anyone named Conrad.

paulhbell07 · « **Reply #3 on:** 04/25/2008 06:11 pm »

See left. Scott Parazynski. But thats more than likely because, I've met him while doing a hobby that I like. A close second would be Neil Armstrong and Third has got to be Christa McAuliffe.

But if astros where to be world wide and not just NASA, I would have to pick Helen Sharman, British and she comes from around my area. Also hero of heros as got to be Yuri Gagarin.

And yes I no, I am being gready picking so many. But all astros are heros in my book.

Renee · « **Reply #4 on:** 04/25/2008 06:21 pm »

I guess I should post my own heroes, since I opened the thread ; P

Number one inspirational woman in the field has got to be Eileen Collins. She has earned my respect for taking on great responsibility as Commander of RTF STS-114 and being the first female shuttle Commander. In my job I am fortunate to be in and around the space environement, so I hope one day to meet this fantastic role model for women in science and technology. Eileen, if you are reading this....*hi*

I have a great deal of respect for all the astronauts I have met/worked with and I hope for that list to continue:

Dr. Samuel Durrance
Scott Vangen
Sunita Williams
Story Musgrave
Rick Searfoss
John Blaha

shuttlepilot · « **Reply #5 on:** 04/25/2008 06:31 pm »

Scott Parazynski. Not only for his Polish roots, but also for amazing astronaut experience. But he's half-Polish astronaut after all.

Here's extract from interview with him.

Quote

I read that your family is really important to you, what can you tell me about your Polish roots?

SP: My family came across at the turn of the last Century to Ellis Island and I have spent some time there, an amazing place. They emigrated from Cracow and settled in upstate New York. My paternal grandmother’s side of the family and my paternal great-grandfather settled in upstate New York. I have been back a couple of times to Poland for short visits to Cracow and Warsaw. I understand I have some distant relatives in that region of Poland but have not met them. It is a beautiful Country.

I understand you took some memorabilia of your ancestors with you into space on the mission.

SP: I took a patch commemorating the Kosciuszko squadron from Poland. It has a strong history of aviation excellence so I was very proud to take a special emblem that honoured aviation history and look forward to taking it back and presenting it sometime.

iamlucky13 · « **Reply #6 on:** 04/25/2008 06:58 pm »

Jim Lovell, if only because he's the one I feel most familiar with. Apollo 13 was, of course, an outstanding demonstration of his (and Swaggart and Haise's) tenacity and competence. I don't know who actually snapped it, but I've always associated the Apollo 8 "earthrise" photo with Lovell. The anecdotes in Lost Moon about things like trying to build a gunpowder rocket in highschool and following the bioluminescent algae trail back to the aircraft carrier after his instruments shorted out stand out in my mind, too. Not to mention, sending his wife a fur coat for Christmas from "The man on the moon" during Apollo 8...classy.

I've also got to give some props to Buzz Aldrin for decking that tin-foil hat guy.

And Yuri Gagarin supposedly tried to get himself assigned as the primary for Soyuz 1 to force the Soviet leadership to delay it's flight until more of the problems were fixed rather than risk losing one of their biggest national heroes. If true, that's pretty gutsy. Vladimir Komarov died on that flight.

mjcrsmith · « **Reply #7 on:** 04/25/2008 06:59 pm »

Lee Archambault. Only because he was in some of my undergrad courses at U of I.

brahmanknight · « **Reply #8 on:** 04/25/2008 07:08 pm »

Chris, why are you stealing all of MY favorite astros? Copy Cat!

John Young flew 4 spacecraft ( Gemini, Apollo command module, LM, and space shuttle ). Enough said.

ShuttleDiscovery · « **Reply #9 on:** 04/25/2008 07:38 pm »

Piers Sellers, Pam Melroy, Scott Parazynski, Sunita Williams, Pegy Whitson, Doug Wheelock, CLAY ANDERSON!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #10 on:** 04/25/2008 08:03 pm »

Quote

brahmanknight - 25/4/2008 8:08 PM

Chris, why are you stealing all of MY favorite astros? Copy Cat!

John Young flew 4 spacecraft ( Gemini, Apollo command module, LM, and space shuttle ). Enough said.

Heh, though it's interesting to see other names and think "but of course." - such as Clay, Scott P and then of course there's Buzz. Michael Foale wins points for being English and all his space flight hours.

The thing about John Young is his reaction after landing with Columbia. He was acting like a kid who'd just got a fire engine for Christmas. Anyone got a clip where he's punching the air after STS-1? And this was a guy who'd flown next to everything.

Speaking of which, Crippen's tribute to Columbia was also extra special.
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=3903&start=1

Damn, you could really go through a list on this.

CessnaDriver · « **Reply #11 on:** 04/25/2008 08:15 pm »

Pete Conrad, got to shake his hand and talk a minute. Infectious optimism.
Story Musgrave, Articulate and my most quoted astronaut when making the case for space. I also love how he simply does not suffer fools when he has been dealing with the media.

Many others of course, but those two have impacted myself most.

OV-107 · « **Reply #12 on:** 04/25/2008 08:44 pm »

All my favourites.

Active male mission specialists: Scott Parazynski, Jim Reilly,Rex Walheim, Clay Anderson, Dan Tani and Christer Fuglesang (i´m swedish so I must name him!) and I must name Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Malenchenko from russia too !

Active male pilots: Chris Ferguson, The Kelly-Twins, Mark Polansky, Scott Altman and Dom Gorie.

Active female mission specialists: Peggy Whitson, Sunita Williams, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn Piper, Barbara Morgan, Cady Coleman, Karen Nyberg. (who have swedish ancestors)

As active female pilots there is only Pam Melroy and she is indeed a favourite too !

Retired male astronauts: Jim Wetherbee, Jerry Ross, Bob Curbeam Bill Shepherd, John Young, Bob Crippen, Jim Halsell, Neil Armstrong, Jim Lovell, Tomas Reiter, Pedro Duque, Claude Nicollier. (the list is of course longer)

Retired female astronauts: Eileen Collins, Susan Still Kilrain, Shannon Lucid, Sally Ride, Ellen Ochoa, Joan Higginbotham, Chiaki Mukai, Roberta Bondar and Claudie Haigneré.

It is totally impossible to only name a few !

And at honorary places in my heart is the crews of Apollo 1, STS 51 L, STS 107, Soyuz 1 and Soyuz 11 !

Adama · « **Reply #13 on:** 04/25/2008 08:55 pm »

How is the term "astronaut" defined in this thread?
Is it a) a person who has flown in space, or b) a person who is working as an astronaut?

If going by a), then the obvious answer is

DENNIS TITO

What he did contributed to civilian space flight more than all the professional astronauts combined. The other tourists are cool too, even though they are just repeating what Tito did before them.

This video is not about Tito, it's Clint Eastwood... errr... Olsen, but it's a nice trip report, or something like that (quality is not the best possible, unfortunately). "Citizen in Orbit", all six parts:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

The last part includes a layman presentation about Soyuz re-entry too.

Rusty_Barton · « **Reply #14 on:** 04/25/2008 08:56 pm »

Project Mercury astronauts John Glenn and Scott Carpenter. Up to the time Glenn was launched, about 1/3 of Atlas launches (missile tests and orbital missions) resulted in failure.

rsp1202 · « **Reply #15 on:** 04/25/2008 09:56 pm »

Second choice, Michael Collins, for quiet competence and this:

"If you had any balls you'd say, 'Oh, my God! What is that thing?' Then scream and cut your mike."

toddbronco2 · « **Reply #16 on:** 04/25/2008 10:00 pm »

Ya know, hearing Michael Collins talk in "In The Shadow of the Moon" elevated him instantly to my top spot. What a character! I've actually gotten to meet Armstrong and Aldrin, so that gives them a special place in my heart too. I've also got a thing for Tracy Caldwell...What can I say!?

Orbiter · « **Reply #17 on:** 04/25/2008 10:15 pm »

My Favorite,
I have no Favorite, aslong as they get the job done. They are all my Favorites

MATTBLAK · « **Reply #18 on:** 04/25/2008 10:48 pm »

Quote

toddbronco2 - 26/4/2008 10:00 AM I've also got a thing for Tracy Caldwell...What can I say!?

Geez, who wouldn't?!

Jim · « **Reply #19 on:** 04/25/2008 11:15 pm »

Quote

Adama - 25/4/2008 4:55 PM

How is the term "astronaut" defined in this thread?
Is it a) a person who has flown in space, or b) a person who is working as an astronaut?

If going by a), then the obvious answer is

DENNIS TITO

What he did contributed to civilian space flight more than all the professional astronauts combined.

that didn't take a qualities worth of admiring, just $

dunderwood · « **Reply #20 on:** 04/25/2008 11:25 pm »

Old school (Apollo Era): Pete Conrad

Current: Mike Fossum. Same hometown, high school, college, even same boy scout troop. I'm glad he's going up again on 124.

Dana · « **Reply #21 on:** 04/26/2008 12:23 am »

John Young and Pete Conrad. Heck, throw in the rest of the "New 9" as well.

faustod · « **Reply #22 on:** 04/26/2008 07:49 am »

At the time: John Young and Thomas Stafford.
Currently: Micheal Foale, Pamela Melroy and obviously my fellow-citizen Paolo Nespoli.

Suzy · « **Reply #23 on:** 04/26/2008 08:19 am »

Sergei Krikalyov! (If you're including cosmonauts.) Also the best-looking

Gary · « **Reply #24 on:** 04/26/2008 09:48 am »

Quote

Suzy - 26/4/2008 9:19 AM

Sergei Krikalyov! (If you're including cosmonauts.) Also the best-looking

My ex could never understand my fascination with all things space related and then she saw Sergei Krikalyov and made the same comment! :laugh:

Personally - Pam Melroy, Clay Anderson and Bob Cabana.

Quindar · « **Reply #25 on:** 04/26/2008 12:40 pm »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 25/4/2008 9:08 AM

Good thread opener. Even though some of us are more interested in the vehicles, as hardware rules....

...Pam "Pambo" Melroy, or Robert "Beamer Shakes" Curbeam. Probably John Young overall.

----------
Good picks Chris, right on my own thinking.

I would have to also nominate Story Musgrave.

"Pambo" was a delight, she even cheered me up.
Curbeam the "cool customer" under pressure.
Hard to top the guts of Young and Crippen on STS-1. Strapping on an untested space craft, especially given the complexity of the Shuttle, and lighting the candle was a gutsy choice.

As for current times, the Increment 16 folks, and concurrent STS crews, were given at least a couple of increments worth of work, even before equipment malfunctions, and they exceeded all expectations, I have to add this whole group to the astro-admiration annals..

Best book goes to: Mike Mullane

Next best book goes to: Michael Collins.

Jim · « **Reply #26 on:** 04/26/2008 12:51 pm »

My favorites are the MOL astronauts. They are more accomplished than any other group

janmb · « **Reply #27 on:** 04/26/2008 01:09 pm »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 25/4/2008 5:08 PM

Good thread opener. Even though some of us are more interested in the vehicles, as hardware rules....

...Pam "Pambo" Melroy, or Robert "Beamer Shakes" Curbeam. Probably John Young overall.

Pambo was awesome.

Doubt anyone really competes with Peggy on the productivity side tho, and no one comes close to Clay Anderson when it comes to humour

wjbarnett · « **Reply #28 on:** 04/26/2008 01:33 pm »

Well, I have to go with Pambo for her team leadership with humor that gets the near impossible done with excellence. Of course Peggy Whitson for her relentless efficiency, hard work and dedication to working with/in the Russian program and to the advancement of ISS overall.

But even with my engineering head on, for all time, I have to go with Alan Bean, for his artwork that communicates his experiences of going to the Moon is so many ways that others (non-engineers) can see and appreciate. See http://www.alanbeangallery.com/

janmb · « **Reply #29 on:** 04/26/2008 01:47 pm »

Quote

toddbronco2 - 25/4/2008 11:00 PM

Ya know, hearing Michael Collins talk in "In The Shadow of the Moon" elevated him instantly to my top spot. What a character! I've actually gotten to meet Armstrong and Aldrin, so that gives them a special place in my heart too. I've also got a thing for Tracy Caldwell...What can I say!?

Can't blame you for THAT! :laugh:

And yeah, I've had the pleasure of meeting Aldrin myself and it's quite an experience getting to hear all those incredible experiences in their own words and thoughts. Brings a whole new level to it that can't be achieved in any other way.

DaveJ576 · « **Reply #30 on:** 04/26/2008 01:51 pm »

While I have a great deal of respect and admiration for the Shuttle era astronauts, I have to go old school on this one. (in no particular order)

Pete Conrad - For absolute coolness under fire (literally...his ship got hit by lightning!), for his almost unrestrained enthusiasm for spaceflight, and for his hilarious and entertaining "Conradisms" ("Man, that may have been a small step for Neil...).

Gene Cernan - For his poetic, eloquent, and heartfelt descriptions of his experiences on the moon. He really brought it home for me.

Neil Armstrong - Absolutely the right choice to lead the first landing. The model of professionalism: calm, cool, competent beyond question, and above all humble. He could have been the richest and most famous of them all and chose not to be. A true class act.

Deke Slayton - A man that got screwed by the establishment but maintained his faith in it. He made the Astronaut Corps into the organization of true professionals that it is.

These are the ones that stand out to me. But as a previous poster said, they are all heroes!

Adama · « **Reply #31 on:** 04/26/2008 02:45 pm »

Quote

Jim - 26/4/2008 2:15 AM

Quote
Adama - 25/4/2008 4:55 PM

DENNIS TITO

What he did contributed to civilian space flight more than all the professional astronauts combined.

that didn't take a qualities worth of admiring, just $

Means to an end.

Then again, having made "just $" is admirable as such, it takes some talent or effort to accomplish that.
I think millionaires are much better role models than military flyboys, for what it's worth.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #32 on:** 04/26/2008 03:27 pm »

Quote

Adama - 26/4/2008 3:45 PM

I think millionaires are much better role models than military flyboys, for what it's worth.

Crikey, I don't. And I hope you won't be using that example when Paris Hilton becomes an "astronaut" on SS2.

That's the problem with today's society, exemplified by the lowest common denominator by people who will religiously vote for some "good looking" kid who can half sing and smile a lot on American Idol, but won't spend the amount of time it takes to text that vote to give a thought to our troops out in Afghanistan and Iraq, or someone not in the public arena that has dedicated their lives to years of training to risk their life on a mission.

A digression, sure, so let's put this into a more specific example:

Take the hardest working self made millionaire I can think of (Sir Alan Sugar), and he doesn't even hold a fracking candle to Private Johnson Beharry: http://www.talkingproud.us/International032105.html

Nuff said.

vt_hokie · « **Reply #33 on:** 04/26/2008 03:34 pm »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 26/4/2008 11:27 AM

Quote
Adama - 26/4/2008 3:45 PM

I think millionaires are much better role models than military flyboys, for what it's worth.

Crikey, I don't. And I hope you won't be using that example when Paris Hilton becomes an "astronaut" on SS2.

Haha...no kidding! I'm with you on that! (As much as I would like to be a millionare myself...)

rsp1202 · « **Reply #34 on:** 04/26/2008 03:40 pm »

Quote

DaveJ576 - 26/4/2008 6:51 AM
Gene Cernan - For his poetic, eloquent, and heartfelt descriptions of his experiences on the moon.

From Apollo 10: "S**T!"
Cernan's a sailor, too.

kimmern123 · « **Reply #35 on:** 04/26/2008 03:44 pm »

I for one, would rather have role models like Christer Fuglesang, Pam Melroy, Scott Parazynski, Rex Walheim, Clay Anderson, Leland Melvin and the other professional astronauts (both former and current) that have worked hard through college and (for many) the millitary than millionaire celebrities that in many cases haven't even earned their money themselves...

DaveJ576 · « **Reply #36 on:** 04/26/2008 04:02 pm »

Quote

rsp1202 - 26/4/2008 10:40 AM

Quote
DaveJ576 - 26/4/2008 6:51 AM
Gene Cernan - For his poetic, eloquent, and heartfelt descriptions of his experiences on the moon.

From Apollo 10: "S**T!"
Cernan's a sailor, too.

I was mostly referring to his later years, but being a sailor myself, I can appreciate some good cussin' as well!! :laugh:

Devious · « **Reply #37 on:** 04/26/2008 04:50 pm »

Sunita Williams and Eileen Collins

I had the chance to meet Sunita this fall, and she is a pretty amazing person.

Svetoslav · « **Reply #38 on:** 04/26/2008 05:02 pm »

Favourite national astronaut (I'm Bulgarian): Alexander Alexandrov, a traveller to Mir aboard Soyuz-TM5

Favourite Apollo astronaut: Jim Lovell

Favourite Shuttle astronaut: Scott Parazynski

paulhbell07 · « **Reply #39 on:** 04/26/2008 05:34 pm »

I'm looking forward to seeing Sir Richard Branson fly on SS2. I know he's on the rich list, but he made his own empire.

Adama · « **Reply #40 on:** 04/26/2008 08:12 pm »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 26/4/2008 6:27 PM

Quote
Adama - 26/4/2008 3:45 PM

I think millionaires are much better role models than military flyboys, for what it's worth.

Crikey, I don't. And I hope you won't be using that example when Paris Hilton becomes an "astronaut" on SS2.

Well... I was using the term "millionaire" to refer to people who work hard and eventually earn millions, not people who work hard to spend millions someone else has earned...

Most of the millionaires are not celebrities, like all space tourists so far have been almost unknown in the celeb world. We could say they have been all quite nerdy (not sure about Ansari, but at least the computer guys) and uninteresting to the mainstream publicity.

And many celebrities are in fact more intelligent than people give them credit for. Arnold Schwarzenegger is a good example of that, he has accomplished more than many actors/politicians ever do, and he is using media as his tool. (Whether his movies are good or bad, or his political views good or bad, is another thing.)

NavySpaceFan · « **Reply #41 on:** 04/26/2008 09:24 pm »

Quote

Adama - 26/4/2008 10:45 AM

I think millionaires are much better role models than military flyboys, for what it's worth.

What's your issue with military "flyboys?" I've worked for several aviators the past 19 years, and I've never worked for a finer group of officers. I hope your issue is not with those of us who serve.

As far as the subject at hand, my favorites are those I've met face-to-face (John Young, Charlie Duke, Jim Lovell, Bonnie Dunbar, John Blaha, and Winston Scott). Other favorites include Gene Cernan, Pete Conrad, Mike Mullane (loved his book!), and Pam Melroy (for her very subtle cussing during STS-120).

ETA: Also, I concur, Tracy Caldwell is a hottie!!!!

jscott227 · « **Reply #42 on:** 04/26/2008 09:34 pm »

This is too hard. I've loved all astronauts since my kindergarten days during Apollo. But, I'll shout-out Buzz Aldrin, Jim Lovell, Gene Cernan. Modern day, Mark Polanski, Bob Curbeam, Pam Melroy and home town guy Chris Ferguson.

P.S. Personal note, I may be in love with Stephanie Wilson

mda · « **Reply #43 on:** 04/26/2008 09:40 pm »

John Young was really solid. Plus, I like the video of his high-speed checkout of the LRV complete with rooster tails of ballistic regolith. Marvellous.

Despite the legacy of Alan Shepard, the Navy is cutting back on nomination numbers: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/us/27astro.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Of the younger guys, Jim 'WXB' Wetherbee is a cool cat.

rsp1202 · « **Reply #44 on:** 04/26/2008 11:17 pm »

Third and last choices:

Scott Altman and Robert Gibson, real Top Guns.

Jim McDivitt, one of the finest pilot-engineers the program ever produced.

« **Reply #45 on:** 04/26/2008 11:36 pm »

Top 10:

1. Neil Armstrong.
2. Pete Conrad.
3. Deke Slayton
4. Gus Grissom.
5. John Young.
6. Peggy Whitson.
7. Jerry Ross.
8. Story Musgrave.
9. Mike Foale.
10. John Grunsfeld.

Dana · « **Reply #46 on:** 04/27/2008 12:01 am »

Quote

DaveJ576 - 26/4/2008 9:02 AM

Quote
rsp1202 - 26/4/2008 10:40 AM

Quote
DaveJ576 - 26/4/2008 6:51 AM
Gene Cernan - For his poetic, eloquent, and heartfelt descriptions of his experiences on the moon.

From Apollo 10: "S**T!"
Cernan's a sailor, too.

I was mostly referring to his later years, but being a sailor myself, I can appreciate some good cussin' as well!! :laugh:

Having grown up on a farm, I assure you that's one thing sailors and farmers have in common: There's some jobs that can only be accomplished with a whole lotta cussin'.

Citabria · « **Reply #47 on:** 04/27/2008 02:05 am »

Quote

brahmanknight - 25/4/2008 3:08 PM
John Young flew 4 spacecraft ( Gemini, Apollo command module, LM, and space shuttle ). Enough said.

Conrad flew four too, counting Skylab.

Patriot1776 · « **Reply #48 on:** 04/27/2008 06:46 pm »

Current Astronauts: Peggy Whitson

She's the best commander the ISS has had so far. Her and Dan Tani were so enthusiastic during their time together Houston was at times having to tell them literally to slow down and order them to take off-duty time. I kept up with her online journal she maintained during her stay on ISS in 2002 and those entries were where I started liking her for some of the ingenuity she used on various problems that came up, going behind an experiment rack with a flashlight between her teeth to fix something to keep from taking the rack apart I remember most. Don't remember which experiment rack it was though.

Past Astronauts: Either Fred Haise or Pete Conrad.

Like both of their senses of humor. Got a good dose of Conrad's reading through the Air-to-Ground transcripts of his Gemini missions as well as from reading the Apollo 12 transcription. Fred Haise managed to keep some good humor going during the race against time that was Apollo 13, besides his in depth knowledge of the LM systems were invaluble. Haise was known to have known the LM systems better than the engineers IIRC from studying Apollo 13 in depth.

Jim · « **Reply #49 on:** 04/27/2008 09:40 pm »

"Current Astronauts: Peggy Whitson

She's the best commander the ISS has had so far. "

How so?

Every astronaut has use his teeth for holding flashlights

janmb · « **Reply #50 on:** 04/28/2008 10:39 am »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 26/4/2008 4:27 PM

Crikey, I don't. And I hope you won't be using that example when Paris Hilton becomes an "astronaut" on SS2.

Best punch line I think I've ever seen :laugh:

Rusty_Barton · « **Reply #51 on:** 04/28/2008 01:32 pm »

Quote

Citabria - 26/4/2008 7:05 PM

Quote
brahmanknight - 25/4/2008 3:08 PM
John Young flew 4 spacecraft ( Gemini, Apollo command module, LM, and space shuttle ). Enough said.
Conrad flew four too, counting Skylab.

Young flew/drove 5 spacecraft, including the LRV. :laugh:

iamlucky13 · « **Reply #52 on:** 04/28/2008 06:42 pm »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 26/4/2008 8:27 AM

Quote
Adama - 26/4/2008 3:45 PM

I think millionaires are much better role models than military flyboys, for what it's worth.

Crikey, I don't. And I hope you won't be using that example when Paris Hilton becomes an "astronaut" on SS2.

That's the problem with today's society, exemplified by the lowest common denominator by people who will religiously vote for some "good looking" kid who can half sing and smile a lot on American Idol, but won't spend the amount of time it takes to text that vote to give a thought to our troops out in Afghanistan and Iraq, or someone not in the public arena that has dedicated their lives to years of training to risk their life on a mission.

A digression, sure, so let's put this into a more specific example:

Take the hardest working self made millionaire I can think of (Sir Alan Sugar), and he doesn't even hold a fracking candle to Private Johnson Beharry: http://www.talkingproud.us/International032105.html

Nuff said.

Wow Chris...we don't see strong opinions from you very often. :laugh:

I agree. As I was reading your post I was thinking of Specialist Ross McGinnis
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/04/army_mcginnisMOH_042508w/

You will find very, very few millionaires who have done something like either of these gentlemen. It tends to be incompatible with earning lots of money.

BTW, good call on those who suggested Eileen Collins. She's done a great job showing what women can accomplish in the space program.

Lawntonlookirs · « **Reply #53 on:** 04/28/2008 07:27 pm »

That is a hard question to really give a single of them the title "Favorite". They are all great and the earlier ones set the stage for the ones that follow. Like a learning curve that gets better as time goes on. Peggy really stands out at the present time because of her enthusiasm she showed during expedition 16. If you go back since the first man in space missions each of them stood out at the time of their mission.

Andy_Small · « **Reply #54 on:** 04/29/2008 12:09 pm »

Deke Slayton, Alan Shepard, Gene Cernan, and Alan Bean.

All the current astronauts are my favorites because watching mission coverage you really kind of get to know and like them!

trlstyle · « **Reply #55 on:** 04/29/2008 02:13 pm »

Quote

Suzy - 26/4/2008 4:19 AM

Sergei Krikalyov! (If you're including cosmonauts.) Also the best-looking

I have a feeling this may be your work...

http://suzymchale.com/krikalyov/

savuporo · « **Reply #56 on:** 04/30/2008 02:51 pm »

Anousheh Ansari, Mike Melvill or Yi So-yeon, very tough call.

Jim · « **Reply #57 on:** 04/30/2008 03:45 pm »

Quote

savuporo - 30/4/2008 10:51 AM

Anousheh Ansari, Mike Melvill or Yi So-yeon, very tough call.

Passive passengers and not astronauts

David BAE · « **Reply #58 on:** 04/30/2008 03:56 pm »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 26/4/2008 10:27 AM

Quote
Adama - 26/4/2008 3:45 PM

I think millionaires are much better role models than military flyboys, for what it's worth.

Crikey, I don't. And I hope you won't be using that example when Paris Hilton becomes an "astronaut" on SS2.

That's the problem with today's society, exemplified by the lowest common denominator by people who will religiously vote for some "good looking" kid who can half sing and smile a lot on American Idol, but won't spend the amount of time it takes to text that vote to give a thought to our troops out in Afghanistan and Iraq, or someone not in the public arena that has dedicated their lives to years of training to risk their life on a mission.

A digression, sure, so let's put this into a more specific example:

Take the hardest working self made millionaire I can think of (Sir Alan Sugar), and he doesn't even hold a fracking candle to Private Johnson Beharry: http://www.talkingproud.us/International032105.html

Nuff said.

Voice of Reason.

apogee68 · « **Reply #59 on:** 05/02/2008 05:24 pm »

Pete Conrad,Al Bean,Michael Collins mainly for their humour.

John2375 · « **Reply #60 on:** 05/03/2008 08:40 pm »

There was a thread about this last year sometime somewhere else on here. I respect all of them for what they've accomplished, so it's hard to pick a favorite - I guess I like the ones that I've had a personal interaction with, or those from close by to me - Charlie Precourt is from 2 towns from where I grew up - Brian Duffy also grew up nearby - when I wrote to them and told them this they wrote nice notes as well as sending a signed picture.
I had the chance to be a VIP attendee at STS-85 for launch and landing; the commander of the flight was Curt Brown, and of course being 'close' to a flight like that I always followed those crewmembers closely. By sheer luck, at an airshow 5 years later, I met Curt, who'd since retired from NASA. He gladly signed my airshow program, but when I told him I'd been at STS-85, he was really interested and we talked about that a little bit, and he signed several things for me, including his mission-numbers which is pretty impressive when there's 6 of them!
About the same time, I was considering getting into aviation myself (and have done so) and had written to Jim Halsell asking some advice as well as a signed picture if possible. No exaggeration: 3 days later in the mail was a 2-page hand-written letter from him with lots of useful information - that's a class-act right there to do that.
So those guys definitly are 'special' to me.. of course I love Tracy Caldwell too but we don't want to get the thread off-track like it did last time with all the males professing their love for her! LOL

mikers · « **Reply #61 on:** 05/04/2008 01:24 am »

This might ruffle some feather on this site, but I don't really think it's appropriate to assign preference to astronauts (or to exemplify them to the general public at all). They are just these guys and gals that fly shuttles, you know. I believe most of them would be offended by this "who is your favorite astronaut" (not that you don't have the right to ask this question)

I don't even know the captain of my local fire or police department, or the pilots of the airline I fly on; yet I value their contribution and bravery *at the very least* at the same level as the astronauts whose labor's utility is not even apparent to me at this point.

These folks are just employees, entrusted with multi-billion dollar machinery, and all eager volunteers. Brave? Yes! But not exclusively for pointing out so, in the least.

From all of my (brief, admittedly) encounters with them they detest being treated as popular divas, as well.

As for the favorite astronaut, if I was pushed against the wall, it'd be Dennis Tito (the very first flight that an astronaut paid for with his own money, afaik).

Jim · « **Reply #62 on:** 05/04/2008 01:35 am »

I have said this over and over

CessnaDriver · « **Reply #63 on:** 05/04/2008 04:17 am »

I am just an employee, that is for certain.

Of course you exemplify heroes to the public.

Just like any explorers or other achievers.

Trailblazers.

And you exemplify the people that stand out in other jobs too.

That is how people learn what they want to do in life, or who to support that is doing the things you think are important.

It takes guts to do many things.

And space heroes are just as important as any other.

So downplaying that is a terrible mistake.

It goes against our natural hero worship.
It is ancient for certain. Tales of heroes go back as far as recorded history.

The best village hunter admired by the children. They want to grow up and be like him or see him succeed.
Yeah, the stories got embellished around the fire but who is to say that that is not a part of why we succeeded as a species?

Hey, I could do that too!

Even astronauts have space heroes.

MATTBLAK · « **Reply #64 on:** 05/04/2008 06:05 am »

Shannon Lucid is one of my favourites! I have interviewed her and Rhea Seddon and I can tell you that they are brilliant, really nice ladies. On the same day (in May 1996) as Rhea Seddon, I interviewed John Young and I seem to recall Capt. Young had either a cold or bad sinuses: he kept reaching for a handkerchief. The upshot was he was rather grumpy, looking like he really didn't want to be there with my colleague and I, in the LBJ room at JSC. I had to kick my colleague under the table when he made Young grumpier by continually asking him to autograph his old Gemini and Apollo portraits, which Young refused to do. Capt. Young had a quiet voice but a definite, understated charisma about him, sort of like Clint Eastwood. When he'd finally left after the short-ish interview, which we profusely thanked him for, I said to my buddy:

"Thank's! Now He'll probably complain to George Abbey and have us thrown out of JSC!!" Fortunately, that didn't happen!!

Dana · « **Reply #65 on:** 05/05/2008 05:17 am »

Quote

Jim - 3/5/2008 6:35 PM

I have said this over and over

OK, Jim, let's put it this way: You've been assigned to a Shuttle crew. You can go back in time and pick any astronaut recruited since 1959 to sit in the left seat up front. Who would you want it to be?

Jim · « **Reply #66 on:** 05/05/2008 06:07 am »

Quote

Dana - 5/5/2008 1:17 AM

Quote
Jim - 3/5/2008 6:35 PM

I have said this over and over

OK, Jim, let's put it this way: You've been assigned to a Shuttle crew. You can go back in time and pick any astronaut recruited since 1959 to sit in the left seat up front. Who would you want it to be?

Anyone that has been CDR for the shuttle

Dana · « **Reply #67 on:** 05/05/2008 06:47 am »

Quote

Jim - 4/5/2008 11:07 PM

Quote
Dana - 5/5/2008 1:17 AM

Quote
Jim - 3/5/2008 6:35 PM

I have said this over and over

OK, Jim, let's put it this way: You've been assigned to a Shuttle crew. You can go back in time and pick any astronaut recruited since 1959 to sit in the left seat up front. Who would you want it to be?

Anyone that has been CDR for the shuttle

Like I always say to the driver of a '69 Hemi Charger-"Nice Dodge." LOL

savuporo · « **Reply #68 on:** 05/05/2008 07:23 am »

Quote

Jim - 30/4/2008 6:45 AM

Quote
savuporo - 30/4/2008 10:51 AM

Anousheh Ansari, Mike Melvill or Yi So-yeon, very tough call.

Passive passengers and not astronauts

I'll reply in your style: All astronauts, none of them passive.

Jim · « **Reply #69 on:** 05/05/2008 11:39 am »

Quote

savuporo - 5/5/2008 3:23 AM

Quote
Jim - 30/4/2008 6:45 AM

Quote
savuporo - 30/4/2008 10:51 AM

Anousheh Ansari, Mike Melvill or Yi So-yeon, very tough call.

Passive passengers and not astronauts
I'll reply in your style: All astronauts, none of them passive.

So everyone in an aircraft is a pilot?

Anu · « **Reply #70 on:** 05/05/2008 01:34 pm »

Well, of the three listed above, Mike Melville was!

Dana · « **Reply #71 on:** 05/05/2008 11:49 pm »

Quote

Anu - 5/5/2008 6:34 AM

Well, of the three listed above, Mike Melville was!

He actually flew his craft into space and back. I'd say that makes him a legitimate astronaut.

mikers · « **Reply #72 on:** 05/07/2008 12:31 am »

Quote

CessnaDriver - 3/5/2008 9:17 PM
...
And you exemplify the people that stand out in other jobs too.
...

Sorry for snipping the rest, but this is the crux of the matter. So why does not my local fire department chief have a national press conference and people arguing over whether he is a great national hero and writing articles about him in the newspaper?

I think "the astronaut" has become a 'glory onto itself' with no substantiation. And it actually alienates them from the rest of the population (who pay taxes to build their vehicles)

Just get in the cockpit and earn your salary, because you apparently like it, otherwise you wouldn't have chosen this profession.

[edited]

SpaceUSMC · « **Reply #73 on:** 05/07/2008 05:00 am »

My top faverote is Deke Slayton. This has to do with many factors but I can start with the fact that I was born and raised literaly 20 minutes from were he was born and raised. I have also hunted in the area of were his family farm was. I also have to give alot of props to a man who stuck it out after having it stuck to him. He did what he had to do, even resinged from the USAF with 19 years in just to keep flying. My passion for flying is much of the same even though I am only still a aspiring pilot.

Jack Lousma is also on that list. He was the first Marine to command the space shuttle. I am a Marine so that has alot to do with that, my son is actually named after him and Jack Swigert ( had the wife sold on Deke, but she changed her mind)

I also have a few others who I cant let go unmentioned.

Gus Grissom, always got he short end of the stick, but he was the best of the best.
Jim Lovell
Pete Conrad
Al Bean
and the list goes on!

CessnaDriver · « **Reply #74 on:** 05/07/2008 07:31 am »

Quote

mikers - 6/5/2008 5:31 PM

Quote
CessnaDriver - 3/5/2008 9:17 PM
...
And you exemplify the people that stand out in other jobs too.
...

Sorry for snipping the rest, but this is the crux of the matter. So why does not my local fire department chief have a national press conference and people arguing over whether he is a great national hero and writing articles about him in the newspaper?

I think "the astronaut" has become a 'glory onto itself' with no substantiation. And it actually alienates them from the rest of the population (who pay taxes to build their vehicles)

Just get in the cockpit and earn your salary, because you apparently like it, otherwise you wouldn't have chosen this profession.

[edited]

There are all kinds of heroes.
Local heroes, national heroes, personal heroes, even animal heroes.

Each kind brings different varying and unique degrees of attentions or spotlight.

That's life. Some heroes we will never know. But we know they certainly were because here we are. Someone left Africa. Someone learned to make fire. Somebody built the first boat.

I already explained it pretty well I thought. If I may humbly say so. LOL
It's just human nature, and it certainly has played a role in our success as a species.

flyboy7077 · « **Reply #75 on:** 05/09/2008 02:01 am »

Without question, Susan Helms!

Five space flights, two trips to the ISS, the longest EVA on record (four minutes shy of 9 hours), and a long duration increment with a commander that didn’t really think women should be astronauts. Not only that, but though she left the astronaut office she didn’t retire, but went back to active duty. First back to Air Space Command at NORAD, then vice commander of the 45 Space Wing.

After a stint as the deputy director of the operational (technical) training for the entire Air Force she made General and now is the commander of the 45 Space Wing. To put this in perspective, she may not have a say as the shuttle goes from the OPF to the VAB and then the pad, but it sure as hell doesn’t get to go to space unless Suzi says so! Plus I think she’s cute, but that’s just a side benefit after being incredible talented.

HIPAR · « **Reply #76 on:** 05/09/2008 08:55 pm »

Virgil Ivan Grissom is my favorite astronaut. Notice the present tense. He's one of those guys who braved a real unknown .. the real space legends.

I'd also like to honorably mention the late Alvin Swauger White. He was selected as a USAF astronaut. He became chief test pilot for North American Aviation and was in the crash of the XB-70. I had the pleasure of meeting the man before he died in 2006. His daughter keeps her sailboat in the dock next to mine.

--- CHAS

Jim · « **Reply #77 on:** 05/09/2008 09:17 pm »

Quote

flyboy7077 - 8/5/2008 10:01 PM
To put this in perspective, she may not have a say as the shuttle goes from the OPF to the VAB and then the pad, but it sure as hell doesn’t get to go to space unless Suzi says so!

To put it into perspective, she really doesn't make the call, she only backs up her staff

flyboy7077 · « **Reply #78 on:** 05/14/2008 02:29 am »

Jim - 9/5/2008 2:17 PM
To put it into perspective, she really doesn't make the call, she only backs up her staff

Well Jim, Mike Leinbach doesn't say cleared to launch until he polls the room, but he still gets to make the final call. My point is Susan Helms is still bringing her talent and expertise to the manned space flight program even though she has left that astronaut office, and not just in an ethereal way, but in a direct operational way.

Honestly, I don't have a "favorite", I just want some of the less bandied about names to not be forgotten. I think you could make a case for Shannon Lucid for sticking in so long and taking the seemingly thankless job of Orbit 3 capcom, as one of the most influential astronauts. Since I don't think I saw her name mentioned so let's recount that she too made five flights, did a long duration increment (and I would consider anything on Mir as less than ideal), set a record for time in space (since eclipsed) and even served as chief scientist.

Jim · « **Reply #79 on:** 05/14/2008 03:06 am »

Quote

flyboy7077 - 13/5/2008 10:29 PM
My point is Susan Helms is still bringing her talent and expertise to the manned space flight program even though she has left that astronaut office, and not just in an ethereal way, but in a direct operational way.

It is just another launch, manned or unmanned. Her astronaut talent doesn't provide anything unique or more to the job than the previous commanders had. And actually, I would say she has less talent and expertise in space operations since she spent more time (12 years) in the astronaut office which has a narrow focus vs the previous commanders who would have had 3-4 different assignments which broaden their experience during those 12 years.

Nate Lindsay is one of those

Andy USA · « **Reply #80 on:** 05/15/2008 10:42 pm »

Eileen Collins for how she kept it together on STS-93 and RTF 114.

Georgi Ivanov · « **Reply #81 on:** 06/05/2008 01:37 pm »

My nickname carries his own name - the first bulgarian cosmonaut - Georgi Ivanov

cape51 · « **Reply #82 on:** 06/08/2008 01:04 pm »

the obvious classics as John Glenn, Aldrin...but I always liked Musgrave and Hoot Gibson, and as of late Curbeam...he is entertaining to watch. Any word on if he is manifested for another launch before the end of the program?

Delta7 · « **Reply #83 on:** 06/08/2008 02:40 pm »

Quote from: cape51 on 06/08/2008 01:04 pm

the obvious classics as John Glenn, Aldrin...but I always liked Musgrave and Hoot Gibson, and as of late Curbeam...he is entertaining to watch. Any word on if he is manifested for another launch before the end of the program?

Curbeam retired from NASA last November and took a job in private industry.

cape51 · « **Reply #84 on:** 06/08/2008 08:28 pm »

Quote from: Delta7 on 06/08/2008 02:40 pm

Quote from: cape51 on 06/08/2008 01:04 pm
the obvious classics as John Glenn, Aldrin...but I always liked Musgrave and Hoot Gibson, and as of late Curbeam...he is entertaining to watch. Any word on if he is manifested for another launch before the end of the program?

Curbeam retired from NASA last November and took a job in private industry.

guess I'm a little out of touch on that one....that is what deployments do to you!

Aobrien · « **Reply #85 on:** 06/09/2008 03:19 am »

Neil Armstrong

First man on the moon
my hero
enough said

J-2X · « **Reply #86 on:** 06/09/2008 03:24 am »

John Glenn

huskerguy05 · « **Reply #87 on:** 06/11/2008 06:05 am »

Only one mention of Stephanie Wilson, so I'll make it two. :-P an amazing mission specialist and a tremendous role model for anyone.

Also Clay Anderson being a fellow husker! Plus I always enjoy the crew members that can bring a lighter side to the job while continuing the get the job done. So Sunni, Clay, Garrett Reismann, Mike Fossom just to name a few are all great.

Plus Curbeam is the man for all his spacewalks, and also being able to perform an EVA more or less on the fly to help with the solar arrays. Oh and Scott Parazynski for flying around on the end of the OBSS to fix the P6 arrays WAAAAY away from the station. :-P