My son Jeff and I attended the Astronaut Hall of Fame Induction at Kennedy Space Center, Florida over the weekend. This year's honorees are all very deserving of the recognition. Pictured here are (left to right) Loren Shriver (Colonel, USAF, Ret.), Bryan O'Connor (Colonel, USMC, Ret.), John Blaha (Colonel, USAF, Ret.) and Robert Cabana (Colonel, USMC, Ret.). Their total Space Shuttle flight experience adds up to fifteen missions, all reaching historic milestones. More info on the inductees:
http://www.astronautscholarship.org/ahof.htmlThe Astronaut Scholarship Foundation was founded by the Original Seven U.S. astronauts, including my longtime friend, the late Wally Schirra. The organization is committed to encouraging the next generation of scientists and engineers in space exploration. Speaking of exploring, we were treated to some very special up-close tours at the Cape, including the OPF (Orbiter Preparation Facility) where the "Atlantis" is being prepped for a July flight and the VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building)... the huge facility where the giant Saturn V rockets were assembled for America's moon launches. The same place is now used for the Shuttle Orbiters. When we visited last Friday, "Discovery" sat on the launch platform, complete with enormous external tank and solid rocket boosters (below). Friday night the huge doors to the VAB opened and the spacecraft was rolled out to launchpad 39A, getting set for a May 31 mission. By the way: The view from above the Shuttle is from a deck on the 16th floor. (Special thanks to the entire staff at Kennedy Space Center, especially Debbie and Brian. And kudos to my son Jeff for the pix.)
