posted 05-29-2009 09:38 AM               

You probably don't recognize Tatham's name, nor would you recognize him if you saw him face to face, but many have seen him in the film and photos of Mercury, Gemini and Apollo crews departing for the launch pad.

Tatham's job was to secure the astronauts from the Manned Spacecraft Operations building through specific check points and on to the launch pad, making sure they were ready and on time. It was reported in 1965 that Tatham had served "as best man for every astronaut carried by Gemini into space and back."

On the day of launch, Tatham began his day at 5 a.m. by meeting the crew and driving them over to be suited up in the pilots ready room at the space center. Once they were dressed for the flight, he loaded them in a transfer van, transporting them through the strict security netting circling the launch area. Once the astronauts reached the launch pad, another security crew took over, but that did not mean that Tatham's responsibilities ended.

In October 1965, the Tampa Tribune quoted Tatham as saying, "In reality, you might as well tell a defensive halfback his duties are over as soon as the team goes on offense. As a member of the space center team, none of us quit until 'our' astronauts are safely back to earth."

...Tatham served as security specialist from the beginning of the Mercury Project, through the Gemini missions, and the excitement of the Apollo space flights. He retired with the shuttle flights in 1981.

Photo credit: The Andrews Journal/NASA

Steve Tatham (right) escorts the Apollo astronauts, Walter Schirra, Donn Eisele and Walter Cunningham, to the transfer van to be driven to the launch pad in August 1968.

posted 05-30-2009 08:46 AM               

That's a well-chosen photograph showing him at work.

Rest in peace.

posted 05-31-2009 09:42 AM               

I also got some of his VIP launch passes from the Apollo missions. The purist in me wasn't too thrilled with some of the things he had done to modify these badges. For example, since Vice President Agnew was at the Apollo 16 launch, he cut and pasted a Vice Presidential seal onto the launch pass. Now that I know what Tatham's job was, I can see why he did it!

I really cherish being able to learn more about the people behind the artifacts I collect. Thank you again for posting this article about Mr. Tatham!

posted 06-03-2009 07:30 PM               

And to quote alot of people who make their living on the radio: "And, you know, they PAY us to do this job !"