Posts: 375 From: Studio City CA USA Registered: Mar 2005
posted 07-08-2013 06:25 PM
quote:Originally posted by goldbera: Tom Jones wrote in his autobiography that he was given the option to qualify as a T-38 front-seater (since he had flown them before while in the USAF) but he declined.
I don't believe he was given "the option", since letting MS fly front seat in T-38s had ended with the 1984 class (there were some grandfather situations, such as Musgrave). Jones writes that he was "content with NASA's policy".
Annekh510 New Member
Posts: 4 From: Cambridge, UK Registered: May 2013
posted 07-28-2013 07:06 PM
quote:Originally posted by star61: Not only Army, but also an alumni of my very own University of Bristol! Yeah... Go Brissle! She will understand...
My name is Anne, I'm a Brit who has spent a good chunk of my adult life in WA, so I'll definitely be following the career of this new astronaut, my only regret is we aren't the same age at the moment, she's a few months older than me.
star61 Member
Posts: 311 From: Bristol UK Registered: Jan 2005
posted 07-29-2013 06:04 PM
Hello Anne... My son will be starting his Engineering degree at Cambridge in October and it seems, like his dad, space is his ultimate goal!
One way or another it seems the backwater of manned spaceflight that is the UK, is turning the tide of participation.
Hence, any association is a positive thing! I certainly wish Anne McClain and the others well.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 50069 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-14-2013 04:52 PM
NASA photo release
The occasion of two members of the 2013 class of astronaut candidates getting sworn in as NASA employees created one of the first photo opportunities on Aug. 12 for all eight members at the Johnson Space Center.
Jessica Meir, left on the front row, and Christina Hammock, center, were sworn in during a brief ceremony, and then they were able to reunite with the other members of the class, all of whom will participate in a training program before becoming full-fledged astronauts.
Andrew Morgan is on the front row. On the back row, from the left, are Anne McClain, Nicole Mann, Tyler (Nick) Hague, Josh Cassada and Victor Glover.
englau Member
Posts: 110 From: tampa, florida, usa Registered: Mar 2012
posted 08-14-2013 10:43 PM
This is very exciting news! Thanks for sharing the photo. Everyone looks so great. I look forward to watching their careers grow exponentially in years to come!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 50069 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-20-2013 07:24 AM
NASA has released new formal business suit and informal portraits of the 2013 astronaut class:
As Federal civil servants, we take an oath of office by which we swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. The Constitution not only establishes our system of government, it actually defines the work role for Federal employees - "to establish Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty."
JBoe Member
Posts: 993 From: Edgewater, MD Registered: Oct 2012
posted 08-20-2013 03:49 PM
I really like the shots of the new class. I'm not sure about the "informal" poses, but I really like the service formal photos.
And yes it's common to be sworn into Civil Service, I had taken mine when I joined in 2004.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 50069 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
The "8 Balls" have landed in NASA's center pocket.
On Tuesday (Aug. 20), eight new astronaut candidates — nicknamed the "Eight Balls" — were formally welcomed to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, where they're set to begin two years of basic training.
dom Member
Posts: 1032 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 08-21-2013 11:13 AM
Why did they give the group the nickname "8 Balls"? Is it an in-joke because there's four men in the group or is it just unintentionally funny!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 50069 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-21-2013 11:20 AM
It is explained in the article:
Following a long-standing NASA tradition, the "Eight Balls" received their nickname from the prior class of astronauts, "The Chumps" selected in 2009, who are now beginning to receive their first assignments to fly to the space station.
"The eight ball [in billiards or pool] is played last and the hope from the preceding class is that the [2013 astronaut candidates] will be assigned after all of them [fly]," Bob Behnken, chief of the Astronaut Office at Johnson Space Center, told collectSPACE.com.
dom Member
Posts: 1032 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 08-21-2013 11:57 AM
So it's an unintended double entendre! I guess NASA PR didn't think that one through much before agreeing to the nickname...
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 50069 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-21-2013 12:10 PM
NASA public affairs (PR) has no role in the nicknames; they are decided by the prior class and are unofficial.
Many of the nicknames have double meanings (e.g. the "TF" in TFNG wasn't only "Thirty-Five").
englau Member
Posts: 110 From: tampa, florida, usa Registered: Mar 2012
posted 08-21-2013 07:49 PM
Oh, both suggestions for the origins of their name are great. I had a good laugh at both!
I like their photos, although very different from what I'm accustomed to seeing.
Does anyone know if they will be doing other photos in the blue jumpsuits as well sometime down the line? Also when they will make lithos of them?
Jay Chladek Member
Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
posted 08-22-2013 01:02 AM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: NASA public affairs (PR) has no role in the nicknames; they are decided by the prior class and are unofficial.
...with the exception of "The Penguins" that is. The 1998 class named themselves. But yes, NASA PR had no role in the name of the class at all, even in that case.
KSCartist Member
Posts: 3036 From: Titusville, FL Registered: Feb 2005
posted 08-22-2013 04:19 AM
The 1996 Class "The Sardines" originally named the 98 Class "The Dodo's". A flightless bird. In good natured retaliation the 98 Class renamed themselves The Penguins: a flightless bird that eats fish.
Hart Sastrowardoyo Member
Posts: 3463 From: Toms River, NJ Registered: Aug 2000
posted 08-22-2013 11:30 AM
As well, the '98 class rejected the Dodos nickname because unlike Penguins, Dodos are extinct...
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3565 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 08-22-2013 02:57 PM
You know you're getting old when astronauts look young enough to be your children...
dogcrew5369 Member
Posts: 760 From: Statesville, NC Registered: Mar 2009
posted 08-22-2013 10:21 PM
Glad to see another North Carolinian in Christina Hammock onboard.
Delta7 Member
Posts: 1720 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
posted 08-23-2013 07:36 AM
quote:Originally posted by Blackarrow: You know you're getting old when astronauts look young enough to be your children...
And ARE young enough to be your children...
dogcrew5369 Member
Posts: 760 From: Statesville, NC Registered: Mar 2009
posted 08-23-2013 12:42 PM
quote:Originally posted by Blackarrow: You know you're getting old when astronauts look young enough to be your children...
...or you feel old when all 8 ASCAN's are younger than you! Not to mention none were alive the last time we walked on the moon. That's what I noticed.
astro-nut Member
Posts: 1028 From: Washington, IL Registered: Jan 2006
posted 08-25-2013 11:16 AM
Unfortunately, I missed the NASA Television event last Tuesday. Is there any chance it can be posted it here so we can watch it?
Once again, congratulations and good luck to our newest ascans, "The 8 Balls". Lead us into the future in space!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 50069 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-25-2013 12:06 PM
quote:Originally posted by astro-nut: Is there any chance it can be posted it here so we can watch it?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 50069 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-30-2013 09:42 AM
NASA photo release
Astronaut Candidate Survival Training
The countenance of astronaut candidate Christina M. Hammock signals her success at fire-starting, a technique that will help sustain her for three days in the wilderness. As the first phase of their extensive training program along the way to become full-fledged astronauts, eight new candidates spent three days in the wild participating in their wilderness survival training, near Rangeley, Maine.
COR482932 Member
Posts: 220 From: Cork, Ireland Registered: Mar 2012
posted 08-30-2013 12:42 PM
quote:Originally posted by englau: Does anyone know if they will be doing other photos in the blue jumpsuits as well sometime down the line? Also when they will make lithos of them?
They'll be donning their blue flight suits in no time! They will of course be wearing them for some if not all of their training, especially when you consider that they'll have to be taught how to fly a T-38, but as far as official lithos being signed and distributed for autograph requests are concerned, I can only assume that they will wait until they have finished their training before handing any of those out themselves.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 50069 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-30-2013 04:55 PM
Additional 2013 Astronaut Candidate Class Land Survival Training photos.
As the first phase of their extensive training program along the way to become full-fledged astronauts, eight new candidates spent three days in the wild participating in their land survival training, near Rangeley, Maine.
Spaceguy5 Member
Posts: 427 From: Pampa, TX, US Registered: May 2011
posted 09-11-2013 08:56 PM
I got to meet a few of them today at a small informal meet-and-greet (didn't have time to meet the whole group, but they were all there).
I spent the most time talking to Victor. He was a really great guy, and shared a few interesting stories. His background is that he was an F-18 Hornet/Superhornet pilot, and he's also flown in Iraq and worked as a test pilot testing weapons (which he said was his favorite job).
The other day, I also sat in on a presentation about astronaut selection. An interesting fact about this round: There were about 6,300 applicants (the second largest amount of applicants ever). About one or two thousand of those were instantly thrown out because they didn't meet minimum qualifications. And then they gradually whittled that down to about 150 applicants who were invited for interviews and medical screenings.
Those who weren't disqualified for medical reasons and who were deemed to have a good personality/background were invited back for a second round of interviews, and then selections were made. The medical screenings of course involved not only tests for current health issues, but also tests for future issues, as well as information about biometrics (a fairly complex analysis of body shape) to ensure people would fit inside the spacecraft/space suits.
Also something interesting to note... They said that once an application made it into the pile, it didn't matter whether they were military or civilian. They were all treated equally with no bias.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 50069 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-11-2013 11:25 AM
The 2013 Astronaut Class now have official NASA biographies:
Posts: 6333 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
posted 12-11-2013 03:35 PM
The only thing missing is their birth dates.
Hart Sastrowardoyo Member
Posts: 3463 From: Toms River, NJ Registered: Aug 2000
posted 12-11-2013 07:24 PM
Easy enough to figure out.
cspg Member
Posts: 6333 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
posted 12-12-2013 03:40 AM
So you say... Please fill in the gaps. Info found on Spacefacts.de.
Cassada: -/-/1974
Glover: 03/17/1977
Hague: 09/25/1975
Hammock: -/-/1979
Mann: 06/27/1977
McLain: 06/07/1977
Meir: -/-/-
Morgan: -/-/-
MSS Member
Posts: 996 From: Europe Registered: May 2003
posted 01-05-2014 10:12 AM
Cassada: 07/18/1973
Hammock: -/-/1979
Meir: -/-/1978/79?
Morgan: -/-/1975/76?
So only three exact dates left yet.
Delta7 Member
Posts: 1720 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
posted 01-05-2014 01:34 PM
Interesting to note that a couple of them weren't even born when the current longest-serving member of the astronaut office, Anna Fisher, was selected.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 50069 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-27-2014 04:13 PM
NASA release
NASA 2013 Astronaut Class to Visit White House for State of STEM (SoSTEM) Address
At 10 a.m. EST Wednesday, Jan. 29, eight NASA astronaut candidates will join John P. Holdren, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and students from Washington area schools for the annual White House State of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (SoSTEM) address.
NASA Television will provide live coverage of this event to promote STEM education featuring the agency's 2013 astronaut candidate class.
The White House SoSTEM Address will include more than 100 students from around the Washington area, Dr. Holdren, U.S. Chief Technology Officer Todd Park, as well as a panel moderated by astronaut Joe Acaba and the astronaut candidates. A video from the International Space Station also will be shown.
This annual event celebrates President Obama's commitment to lifting America’s game in STEM education as articulated in past State of the Union addresses and is held the day after this year’s address. Select guests of the First Lady from the president’s Tuesday night speech, including 16-year old Joey "Marshmallow" Hudy, will also be featured.
NASA's 2013 astronaut candidates are: Josh A. Cassada and Victor J. Glover, lieutenant commanders in the U.S. Navy; Tyler N. "Nick" Hague, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force; Christina M. Hammock; Nicole Aunapu Mann, a major in the U.S. Marine Corps; Anne C. McClain a major in the U.S. Army; Jessica U. Meir, who holds a Ph.D. in marine biology and Andrew R. Morgan a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army.
These candidates were selected from a pool of more than 6,000 applicants, the second largest in NASA's history. The group is in a two-year training process, which includes technical activities at space centers and remote locations around the globe. The training is designed to prepare them for missions that will help the agency push the boundaries of exploration and travel to new destinations in the solar system, including an asteroid and Mars.
In addition to being carried live on NASA TV and the agency's website, the White House event will be webcast live here.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 50069 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-25-2014 10:01 AM
Anne McClain shared on Twitter:
Learning from Apollo legends, Dave Scott + Jack Schmitt. Exploration is our past and future!
dabolton Member
Posts: 419 From: Seneca, IL, US Registered: Jan 2009
posted 02-25-2014 10:14 AM
Moonwalkers and potential Mars walkers. Might want to get everyone to autograph this one.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 50069 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-27-2014 09:20 AM
Anne McClain shares a moment in weightlessness with the "8 Balls" mascot, the Magic 8 Ball:
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 50069 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-09-2015 10:11 AM
The 2013 class is, as of this week, no longer candidates. From a message sent by NASA Administrator Charles Bolden to the agency's workforce on Thursday (July 9):
...I also want to take this opportunity to offer a special word of congratulations to astronaut candidates from the Class of 2013 who are transitioning into flight-ready status. These eight, outstanding Americans – four of them women, four of them men — were selected from a pool of more than 6,300 applicants – our second largest pool of applicants, ever.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 50069 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 11-14-2019 05:03 PM
NASA photo (Oct. 1, 2019) — Two Eight Balls and an eight-ball:
NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Jessica Meir display a memento aboard the International Space Station, symbolizing their membership in the Astronaut Class of 2013, affectionately nicknamed the "Eight Balls."
posted 07-08-2013 06:25 PM
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