Author
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Topic: Vance Brand retires from NASA
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Delta7 Member Posts: 1505 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
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posted 04-08-2008 07:16 PM
According to NASA's Astronaut Biography page, Vance Brand (Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, STS-5, STS-41B, STS-35) retired from the agency in February. |
Delta7 Member Posts: 1505 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
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posted 04-09-2008 12:27 AM
It kind of marks the end of an era. Brand was the last remaining veteran of the Apollo era on NASA's Active & Management Astronaut list, having joined between Gemini 8 and Gemini 9a. Surprising there wasn't more fanfare (press release etc.) |
jasonelam Member Posts: 691 From: Monticello, KY USA Registered: Mar 2007
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posted 04-11-2008 04:15 PM
That is surprising, considering that it would have made him the second longest working astronaut at NASA. John Young retired after 42 years; considering Brand was selected in April, 1966, that would make his tenure 41 years, 10 months. |
MSS Member Posts: 633 From: Poland Registered: May 2003
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posted 04-12-2008 02:57 AM
quote: Originally posted by Delta7: ...retired from the agency in February.
Mr. Brand retired from NASA *in January* 2008. |
Delta7 Member Posts: 1505 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
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posted 04-12-2008 10:40 AM
The page originally said February, then was apparently corrected. |
Delta7 Member Posts: 1505 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
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posted 04-12-2008 10:42 AM
quote: Originally posted by jasonelam: That is surprising, considering that it would have made him the second longest working astronaut at NASA.
Although I don't believe it was an un-broken run. Brand worked at the NASP Program Office in Dayton OH from 1992-94, which I do not believe was a NASA assignment (I could be wrong.) |
Delta7 Member Posts: 1505 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
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posted 04-12-2008 12:03 PM
I always wonder why some Astronauts retire with a bit of fanfare (press release, effusive comment from Astronaut Office Chief/Director of Flight Crew Operations/NASA Administrator), while others just quietly "slip out of town" (Name moves from Active & Management Astronauts page to Former Astronauts one.) Does NASA give it's Astronauts the option of a press release, or is it a case of whomever is in charge of these things deciding it isn't press release-worthy, or simply "never getting around to it"? (Which wouldn't surprise me in a government bureaucracy). |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-12-2008 12:17 PM
From what I have been told, it's the astronaut's choice (unless the program has a need/desire for the release.I try to post a "Departure" notice on the front page of collectSPACE each time someone leaves, press release or not, though in Brand's case, given that a few months have already passed, my hope is to interview him in the coming weeks for a feature article. |
machbusterman Member Posts: 1778 From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland Registered: May 2004
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posted 04-13-2008 02:50 AM
I wish Vance Brand a long and healthy retirement. He was always been a great friend to the collector. Now that he has retired the ASF has confirmed him to attend their show in November 2008, which has the most wonderful line-up already. |
APG85 Member Posts: 306 From: Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 04-13-2008 07:13 AM
Kind of wonder if it isn't like the military (and most astronauts have that background): Some guys like a big ceremony with a hometown news release and lots of fanfare. Some guys like to get their certificate, a piece of cake, say goodbye and out the door they go... |