posted 10-06-2004 09:35 AM               

He signed my EVA I sent him.
Included in my letter where a couple of photos I took whilst on holiday in Marmaris.
There's a bronze statue of him there, as he took a Turkish flag into space.

He sent me a hand written note on personalised STS 117 headed paper thanking me for the photos and telling me of his first EVA.

signed that " AD ASTRA ... Jim"

UK...USA...UK 39 days. Sent to NASA.

Ed

posted 10-06-2004 12:41 PM               

What's the story about a Jim Reilly statue in this Turkish town? How come?

Thanks,

posted 10-06-2004 02:16 PM               

Out side the bazaar in Marmaris I noticed a statue of an astronaut made of bronze.
Ofcourse went over for a gander.

It was life sized, but more of an Apollo get up than these days.
On the plaque at the base it had an inscription saying that it was erected in honour of US astronaut James Reilly II, who carried the Turkish flag into space for the first time on mission STS 89 in 1998.

The kids told me to take a picie, even though it was dark, and send it off. So I did.

39 days later this letter appeared....

EDDIE,
Thanks for the photos of the Marmaris statue. Its is truly a beautiful place isn't it !

As for your question about first recollection of the EVA, my first view of the earth didn't happen until about 1 hour outside. I was in the area above the airlock in the payload bay when I looked past the tail of the orbiter. To say it was awesome is an understatement !
The colours and details you see with your own eyes can't be duplicated.
Remarkable....

Thanks for your support !

AD ASTRA,

Jim

.....................

I was very happy to receive a reply from NASA as its not been the best hunting ground for me, but a letter hand written aswell, excellent.