Author
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Topic: STS-118: First flight of an astronaut born after the first moon landing
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Mike Isbell Member Posts: 551 From: Silver Spring, Maryland USA Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 08-04-2007 03:39 PM
In the fall of 1994, a fair amount of preflight publicity occurred prior to the flight of STS-66 about Scott Parazynski being the first astronaut to fly who was born after Alan Shepard's flight on Freedom 7 in 1961. As the launch of STS-118 nears, a lot of publicity is being made about Barbara Morgan finally getting to fly. Another item of historical interest is taking place, with almost no note being taken so far. Dr. Tracy Caldwell is on the verge of becoming the first astronaut who was born after the flight of Apollo 11 in July of 1969 to fly into space. Dr. Caldwell, who will turn 38 on August 14, reminds us that a new generation of astronauts are now in the space program who have been born since Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took the first footsteps on the moon. |
Tonyq Member Posts: 199 From: UK Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 08-04-2007 04:54 PM
Not sure if you are refering to NASA astronauts only, but don't forget that Mark Shuttleworth who flew to ISS in 2002, via Soyuz, was born in 1973, after the Apollo moon programme had ended. |
Wehaveliftoff Member Posts: 2343 From: Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 08-06-2007 11:19 AM
I'd go with Mark rather than Tracy as being the first born after the Apollo program. |
Greggy_D Member Posts: 977 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 08-06-2007 05:05 PM
Not me. He bought his ride. She earned/worked for it. |
mark plas Member Posts: 385 From: the Netherlands Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 08-07-2007 02:05 AM
He bought his ride after he had earned the money. |
Rodina Member Posts: 836 From: Lafayette, CA Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 08-07-2007 06:27 AM
quote: Originally posted by mark plas: He bought his ride after he had earned the money.
Amen. |
Greggy_D Member Posts: 977 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 08-07-2007 06:58 AM
So now earning a lot of money is synonymous with getting accepted to and working for the Astronaut Corps? IMHO I don't see it that way. |
mark plas Member Posts: 385 From: the Netherlands Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 08-07-2007 10:19 AM
Why didn't he earned his ride? He just got there via a different path then normally. To me he's an Astronaut.Mark |
Tonyq Member Posts: 199 From: UK Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 08-07-2007 11:07 AM
I feel this issue is quite straight forward.If we are looking for the first NASA astronaut born after the moon landing, then this is going to be Tracy Caldwell. However, Mark Shuttleworth is the clearly the first person to fly in space born after July 1969. How he got there, how he made the money to achieve it, and whether he is an astronaut, cosmonaut or whatever-naut, are irrelevant - he made it into orbit and it is a distinction which will be his forever ! |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-07-2007 12:43 PM
quote: Originally posted by Tonyq: he made it into orbit and it is a distinction which will be his forever!
I agree and I am not sure how anyone can discount (no pun intended) his ride to orbit, unless they are also suggesting that the Russian cosmonaut and ESA astronaut on-board were equally unworthy of their time in space. After all, without Shuttleworth's fare, they wouldn't have flown either. quote: Originally posted by mark plas: To me he's an Astronaut.
If we are going to nitpick, then Shuttleworth is a cosmonaut (by the nature of how he launched) or astronaut (by reaching 62 miles) or spaceflight participant (by mission designation), but he isn't an Astronaut (with a capitalized 'A') as that refers to a NASA employee title. |
mjanovec Member Posts: 3811 From: Midwest, USA Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 08-07-2007 01:07 PM
Not to pull this topic too far off course, I was wondering if the Russians have an altitude that they use to distinguish someone as an official flown cosmonaut. There has been the 50 mile and 62 mile altitudes used in the west, depending on what agency you're working for. If there an altitude milepost for cosmonauts? |
STEVE SMITH unregistered
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posted 08-07-2007 03:40 PM
Hard to believe we have not had astronauts younger than 38 fly recently..As a side note, I'm amazed at how multitalented the Astronauts are, and the wide variety of interests they have. Dr Tracy Caldwell is a good example. A PhD in science. A champion college athelete in track. Multi lingual. An excellent singer with Max Q, and as if she didn't have enough going is darn good looking. I really enjoyed meeting and talking with her at AHOF in 2003. She, and others are to be complemented for their patienece and dedication for waiting for their first ride. God Speed Tracy, and onward to the Moon and Mars. |
Mike Isbell Member Posts: 551 From: Silver Spring, Maryland USA Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 08-07-2007 07:44 PM
I was referring to the NASA astronauts. |
tncmaxq Member Posts: 287 From: New Haven, CT USA Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 08-14-2007 09:20 AM
It is interesting that with each flight we are seeing more and more astronauts born in the 1960s. On 118, 4 of the 7 crew members are younger than I am. That's making me feel my age a little. One day I hope to meet Leroy Chiao. He stands out to me because he is the first American born after I was (1959) to go into space! |