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Author
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Topic: NASA Dryden renamed to honor Neil Armstrong
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-09-2014 07:35 PM
   
collectSPACE Congress renames NASA flight research center after Neil ArmstrongLawmakers have renamed NASA's primary flight research center to honor the first man to walk on the moon. The U.S. Senate on Wednesday (Jan. 8) passed a bill that redesignates the space agency's Dryden Flight Research Center in southern California the "NASA Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center." The legislation continues to honor the facility's displaced namesake by renaming the surrounding area the "Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test Range." The U.S. House of Representatives earlier introduced and passed a corresponding resolution in February 2013. This was at least the third time since 2007 that Congress has sought to name the flight research center for Armstrong. On Thursday, the bill was presented to the President to be signed into law.  (Previous discussion of this when it was still only proposed can be read here.) |
chet
Member Posts: 1506
From: Beverly Hills, Calif.
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 01-10-2014 12:14 AM
The legislation continues to honor the facility's displaced namesake by renaming the surrounding area the "Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test Range." Typical Orwellian double-speak from our wonderful representatives.Any Congressperson who truly cared about continuing to honor Dryden would have voted no on these changes. And I imagine Armstrong's spirit will be cringing when Obama signs this horrible piece of "legislation". What a farce. |
1202 Alarm
Member Posts: 436
From: Switzerland & France
Registered: Nov 2003
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posted 01-10-2014 04:51 AM
I can't agree more. To rename a place called "Stinkwood road" is natural, easy. But I find the idea of removing someone's name exactly like an exhumation. It's disrespectful and despicable. We did it here in Switzerland, but it was after we learned the guy had a Nazi past! |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 01-10-2014 06:53 AM
That's a terrific painting of Neil. I've never seen the X-15 and the LEM in one image before. |
Headshot
Member Posts: 864
From: Vancouver, WA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 01-10-2014 07:18 AM
I too believe that painting is really striking. It is missing, however, a Gemini spacecraft docked with an Agena target vehicle. I guess only us old timers recall just how significant Gemini 8's flight was back in the mid-'60s.I agree with the others, Armstrong himself would be embarrassed and saddened, if not appalled, by this legislation and the "demoting" of Hugh Dryden. |
onesmallstep
Member Posts: 1310
From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007
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posted 01-10-2014 10:32 AM
I agree with the above sentiments. This continues the dumping of one person in favor of another, to use un-PC language. It happened when NASA-Lewis in Cleveland was renamed for John Glenn. George Lewis was the NACA's (NASA's predecessor) director of aeronautics. I wonder how many (public and Lewis' family) objected to it then, although this time around it is a posthumous honor.Perhaps they should have named a building or research facility at Dryden for him, something more low-key. I believe they named the auditorium at Edwards AFB after Challenger commander Dick Scobee. As for that great Bob McCall painting; I think it is fine as is. It emphasizes Armstrong's role prominently as research pilot/engineer with his flight suit on in front of the X-15, with the LM Eagle as the ultimate result of his flying skills tucked in the back. I know how much he liked to talk more about his testing days at the 'old' High-Speed Flight Station. |
Headshot
Member Posts: 864
From: Vancouver, WA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 01-10-2014 11:57 AM
Robert, do you know what the Senate vote actually was? How many yeas and how many nays? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-10-2014 12:57 PM
The resolution passed in the House and Senate by unanimous consent |
ea757grrl
Member Posts: 729
From: South Carolina
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 01-10-2014 02:42 PM
It all reminds me of what William Shea, the attorney who helped make the New York Mets happen, said when he was asked how long he thought Shea Stadium would bear his name: "Oh, until about five minutes after I'm dead."I'm saddened by the renaming of what used to be Dryden, but not surprised. Our nation has a distressing tendency to pave over its history like this. I won't be surprised if fifty years from now, the name gets changed again. |
Skylon
Member Posts: 274
From:
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 01-11-2014 09:14 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Headshot:
I guess only us old timers recall just how significant Gemini 8's flight was back in the mid-'60s.
It's a Bob McCall painting according to the article. You don't get too much more "old timer" in space art, than that. I'm guessing it was intended to show the bookends of his NASA flying career. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-16-2014 06:10 PM
The White House, Office of the Press Secretary release Statement by the Press Secretary on H.R. 667On Thursday, January 16, 2014, the President signed into law: H.R. 667, which redesignates the Dryden Flight Research Center as the Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center and the Western Aeronautical Test Range as the Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test Range. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-28-2014 04:41 PM
collectSPACE @NASAArmstrong: NASA begins process to rename center for Neil ArmstrongWith the flick of a digital switch, NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center has been renamed for the late astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon. NASA on Friday (Feb. 28) got off to an early start adopting the new name, updating its website addresses and social media handles, before the name officially goes into effect Saturday (March 1). The redesignation comes two months after President Barack Obama signed legislation enacting the change and 20 years (to the day) after the center's last renaming. Beginning Saturday, the southern California center will be known as the "Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center." The neighboring test range has also been redesignated the "Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test Range."  |
Paul78zephyr
Member Posts: 675
From: Hudson, MA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 02-28-2014 07:39 PM
Gee, if you read Michelle Evans' book (which I just finished) the author gives the impression that Neil Armstrong was the one guy in the office that should have been fired for 'screwing up'. I am so glad they are honoring Mr. Armstrong in this manner and feel that the chapter in that book about him does a huge disservice to his memory. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-31-2014 02:20 PM
NASA has set Tuesday, May 13, 2014, for a formal dedication ceremony to mark the renaming of NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center. It is expected to include comments from NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, Armstrong Center Director David McBride, Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California and members of the Armstrong and Dryden families. The ceremony is not open to the public, though there may be a limited opportunity for social media to participate (details to come). |
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