posted 05-25-2001 07:01 PM               

I was lucky enough to meet Dr. Robertson last year at KSC's annual Open House. As I recall, she was at Complex 14 on the Air Force side.
She enthusiastically signed autograph's for everyone who asked, and gave equal time to everyone, never hurrying anyone along.
Very nice, very enthusiastic about her job.

It's always sad to lose anyone, but it seems to be made more known if that person has some kind of notarity.
Somtimes you have to take a step back and look at it this way:
Dr. Robertson died doing something that she loved, flying.

Our prayers are with her family.

posted 05-26-2001 10:03 AM            

Ryan

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Mourning the loss of a great astronaut--In memory of Patricia Hilliard Robertson

posted 05-26-2001 05:23 PM               

Tom

posted 05-26-2001 05:30 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by thecollector:
I agree that many overlook this tragic event--not neccessarily those in our field of interest, but the press, and people in general. The news barely covered the passing of Alan Shepard, and to cover the death of an astronaut who hasn't even been up yet? Never! It makes me a little angry when important things in space get NO coverage (ie First ISS crew, major "firsts in space"), but its worse when something like this happens and no one cares. I was pretty certain we had reached the armageddon and the world would just end when Dale Ernhardt died, that is if the press had anything to do with it, it's all you heard for a MONTH; but an astronaut gets killed in a plane crash, who cares? Of course had she been doing something on the job and been hurt or killed, the press would do their best to hang NASA by the throat and shut them down---the front page would be covered in it--but not this. I guess for someone who works for a newspaper, I have a lot of dislike towards the press but I just do Cust. Service, I have nothing to do with the news! But off of that little soap box, it is very sad that we have lost one of our astronauts. I know she will be very missed, by all of those she worked with, were friends with, and of course her family. I hate the word candidate. Whether her name was ever etched on her shoulder in a mission patch matters not--Patricia Hilliard Robertson WAS an astronaut. As are the other who have yet to fly but are in training! But her family and friends remain in our prayers, as does her pilot who is still alive (as last I heard) and in critical condition.

Ryan

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Ryan,

Sometimes I think the press "forgets" what journalism is and just turns to "sensationalism." Not all of course, but even my own Florida Today can be questionable at times.
As for Earnhardt, I think every paper around the world had his death included.
I wonder who else knew about Dr. Robertson's untimely death.
I can think of three states:
Florida, Texas, and Penn, where she is from.

posted 05-27-2001 06:28 AM               

Too bad that it is not covered in too many states.

I guess that unfortunately, most newspapers don't think this is newsworthy.

posted 05-27-2001 08:26 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by tegwilym:
I agree with your comments about the news media coveage of things like this. I remember on July 20, 1999 I was hoping to see a lot of coverage of the 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing. Nope. That was the day that JFK Jr. splashed is Saratoga in the ocean. All day long there was just stupid video of ships out searching for his plane, and dumb reporters babbling all day long not knowing anything.
I hate the news media. I'm sure glad the internet is around!

Tom

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Lest we forget Pete Conrad passed away a week and half before the 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing. His funeral was held in the shadow of the search for JFK Jr.

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Warm Regards

Douglas Henry

posted 05-27-2001 11:12 AM               

Which endeavor is more important? Our space program of course.

But we must remember to at least 95% of all Americans, sports holds a much dearer place in their hearts. That's why we see the misplaced adoration of so called heros like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Dale Earnhart, and the like. While Jordan, Woods, Earnhart & others are fine men, heros they are not. What they do will have no serious impact on building a better world. The exploration of space DOES have the very real possibility of changing the world we live in for the good of all mankind.

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Happy trails,
Wayne Edelman
(you-are-go-for-tli)

posted 05-27-2001 05:09 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Aztecdoug:
Lest we forget Pete Conrad passed away a week and half before the 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing. His funeral was held in the shadow of the search for JFK Jr.

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I forgot those two coincided...

posted 05-27-2001 05:12 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by astronut:
I have to agree with most of the above comments. Using the Earnhart/Robertson death coverages as an example, we must remember there are at most 100,000 fulltime space enthusiests, with another few million who follow the space program to some degree. Compare that to some 20 million hardcore NASCAR fans (I'm one of them), with maybe 50 million more somewhat less dedicated fans.

Which endeavor is more important? Our space program of course.

But we must remember to at least 95% of all Americans, sports holds a much dearer place in their hearts. That's why we see the misplaced adoration of so called heros like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Dale Earnhart, and the like. While Jordan, Woods, Earnhart & others are fine men, heros they are not. What they do will have no serious impact on building a better world. The exploration of space DOES have the very real possibility of changing the world we live in for the good of all mankind.

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Wayno,

I think Earnhart could be classified as a hero in some respects. I'm not hardcore NASCAR and I liked to watch him race....

But astronauts, that is something different.
And as you say can change the world, for mankind. Look at Armstrong, Young and Crippen, and all the "first" guys.