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Author
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Topic: Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 45273
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-07-2014 01:40 PM
   
collectSPACE NASA renaming historic Florida facility for astronaut Neil ArmstrongThe NASA building where Neil Armstrong stayed — and his lunar landing spacecraft was readied — before launching to the moon 45 years ago this month is being renamed for the late astronaut. The historic Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center will be retitled for the first man to walk on the moon during a July 21 ceremony to be held at the Florida spaceport. Armstrong's Apollo 11 crew mates Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins will be joined at the ceremony by NASA administrator Charles Bolden and the center's director Robert Cabana to deliver remarks, NASA announced on Monday (July 7). Members of Armstrong's family are expected to attend the event as well. The 9 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT) ceremony will not be open to the public, but will be broadcast live on NASA's television channel and streamed through the agency's website.  |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4291
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 07-07-2014 04:02 PM
Quite ironic that places and buildings are being named after Neil Armstrong. While he would have been flattered at what many consider an honour I suspect the man himself would have preferred otherwise. |
J.L
Member Posts: 682
From: Bloomington, Illinois, USA
Registered: May 2005
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posted 07-07-2014 09:52 PM
Should be named after Dr. Kurt Debus... |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3524
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 07-08-2014 01:03 PM
Aren't you jumping the gun by posting the photo before the ceremony? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 45273
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-08-2014 01:29 PM
I wouldn't say so, no. The sign is (obviously) already in place and visible at Kennedy Space Center. Further, NASA is not keeping secret who the O&C is being named for (Armstrong was named in NASA's release). Also, Dryden pictured online some of its signs being changed to read "Armstrong" before the ceremony to dedicate the center. |
p51
Member Posts: 1692
From: Olympia, WA
Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 07-08-2014 04:27 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn:
...I suspect the man himself would have preferred otherwise.
I agree. From what we collectively understand of the man, I think few could argue for him liking the idea of so much stuff being named for him now.Besides, if you name too many things after someone, doesn't it lose a degree of how special it is? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 45273
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-21-2014 04:01 PM
collectSPACE NASA names historic operations building for first moonwalker Neil Armstrong NASA on Monday (July 21) paid tribute to the first man to walk on the moon by naming a building at its Florida spaceport where work is being advanced to send astronauts to Mars. The "Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building" at NASA's Kennedy Space Center added the late astronaut's name to the historic facility where he, his crew mates and their Apollo 11 spacecraft were readied for a launch to the moon 45 years ago this past week. Today, the building is being used to ready Orion, NASA's next-generation space capsule being developed to send astronauts beyond Earth orbit for the first time since the Apollo lunar landings. "It is altogether fitting that we rename this facility," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said during a ceremony held inside the Operations and Checkout (O&C) building, where hundreds of space workers gathered. "Armstrong was not only the first man to set foot on the moon... he challenged all of us to expand the boundaries of the possible." "He, along with his crew Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, are a bridge from NASA's historic journey to the moon 45 years ago, to our path to Mars today."  |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 45273
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-21-2014 04:31 PM
As mentioned in the article: In addition to updating the signs identifying the facility, a plaque and a spacesuit display in the building's lobby also pay tribute to the O&C's new namesake. Here is the spacesuit, which I am told is something of a frankenstein made up of various spacesuit parts used in training. It is not clear if Armstrong actually used any of the components that made up this display. Here is an Orion banner that was hung along the hallway leading into the O&C's high bay. If you look, you can see Buzz Aldrin, Mike Collins, Jim Lovell and Bob Cabana have signed it, among others at today's ceremony.  
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Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 3125
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 07-21-2014 04:54 PM
A great Neil Armstrong tribute day here at KSC while observing the 45th anniversary of man's first lunar landing along with ushering in a new--"next giant leap"--era of deep space exploration.I think you can see my signature (not that it means anything), after having been asked to sign, on the banner near James Lovell's autograph, just above the "n" of "Operations," with an inscription, "Into the next Generation." |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4291
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 07-21-2014 06:40 PM
It's a shame they did not use an A7L suit... instead of the A7LB. It would have made for a better facsimile. |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2948
From: Titusville, FL
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 07-21-2014 06:44 PM
A tribute to Neil Armstrong — An Homage to Paul Calle.As a child I watched in awe as the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo astronauts began our first explorations off the planet. I also became aware of the art of Robert McCall and Paul Calle. I dreamed of one day contributing to the space program in an artistic way. In 2004, the patch dream was realized and in the last ten years it has exceeded all of my hopes. Drawing and painting portraits was my first artistic love. Two weeks ago, when I learned that the O&C Building was to be rededicated in honor of Neil Armstrong, I knew I had to honor him in my own way. This pen and ink drawing along with the Apollo 11 45th Anniversary patch became my contribution. This framed presentation has been offered to NASA in hopes they will display it in the O&C.  |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 45273
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-21-2014 07:04 PM
Tim was in good company offering artwork today, as noted in the article: Mark Armstrong also presented the center with a painting of his father from his days as an astronaut. To elaborate, the painting (or rather a Giclee print of the original) captures proof of "The Incident" — namely, Pete Conrad running aground the speedboat that Neil was skiing behind. Mark likened the painting to Wally Schirra's fondness for "gotchas."  |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 45273
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-21-2014 07:11 PM
For those who missed the ceremony, here it is in its entirety: |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 3125
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 07-21-2014 07:16 PM
quote:
Originally posted by KSCartist:
This pen and ink drawing along with the Apollo 11 45th Anniversary patch became my contribution.
Tim, a remarkable talent you have and thanks for sharing with me earlier. Hopefully the Armstrong pen and ink drawing along with your 45th Apollo 11 anniversary patch design will become a permanent fixture inside the lobby of the newly renamed Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout building facility. A great tribute indeed to the "First Man," his family, and the first manned lunar landing mission. |
328KF
Member Posts: 1294
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 07-21-2014 10:01 PM
That Armstrong painting is really cool in that it tells a story that probably not too many had known about beforehand. A great likeness of Pete, too. With Armstrong looking down (at an injured hand or finger?) it gives the impression that this painting was done from a photograph taken at the time.Does anyone know if additional giclees might be offered for sale? This had to be pretty humbling for a Navy man to run his ship aground. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 3524
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 08-15-2014 10:25 AM
The August issue of Spaceport Magazine has an article about the renaming ceremony. |
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