http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/astronaut/ en-us Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:42:41 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030619/posts   NASA just awarded its future spacesuit contract to Oceaneering International. The US firm must now design, test, and produce two suits -- the default suit (pictured after the break) worn on-board for launch and landing and a second, more versatile, cheese-proof suit worn during space walks and upon the surface of the moon. The suits must be ready for the first scheduled launch of the Orion Space Capsule in 2015. The contract is valued at the government special price of just $745 million. Hey, we have to keep up appearances at the International Space Station, you know.   Engadget http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2030619/posts#comment Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:42:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2008614/posts SEOUL, April 29 (AFP) Apr 29, 2008 South Korea's first astronaut Yi So-Yeon has been admitted to hospital with severe back pains caused by her rough return voyage to Earth, officials said Tuesday. The state-run Korea Aerospace Research Institute said Yi is undergoing MRI and other scans at an air force hospital to determine the exact cause of her discomfort. "She has complained of considerable back pains and will have to cancel all her appointments for the time being, including visits to the presidential office and TV interviews," a doctor at the military hospital was quoted by Yonhap news agency... AFP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2008614/posts#comment Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:29:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2002083/posts One giant pitch for mankind: Astronaut to hurl Yanks' first pitch from spaceBy Caitlin Millat DAILY NEWS WRITER Tuesday, April 15th 2008, 5:21 PM Forget The Rocket. A real astronaut will throw the first pitch at Wednesday night's Yankee game. NASA astronaut Dr. Garrett Reisman will throw the ceremonial pitch from the International Space Station during Wednesday's game against the Red Sox. Broadcast on the stadium's JumboTron screens, it will be the first ceremonial first pitch in Yankee history thrown from space. Reisman, a lifelong Yankee fan, carried a Yankee banner, a cap autographed by George Steinbrenner and a pile... NY Daily News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2002083/posts#comment Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:42:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1943084/posts Lombard astronaut Daniel Tani today called his deceased mother his “hero” and said he was aware of the possibility that a family tragedy could strike while he was in space. In a statement released by NASA, Tani thanked “everyone who has expressed their condolences during this time of grieving for me and my family.” Tani’s 90-year-old mother Rose was killed on Wednesday after she drove her car onto railroad tracks in Lombard and was struck by a freight train. He will not be able to return to Earth for weeks. “Living on the [International Space Station] means I experience all... Chicago Sun-Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1943084/posts#comment Sat, 22 Dec 2007 03:35:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1942308/posts Stuck in space, Lombard astronaut Daniel Tani is unable to grieve with his family over the death of their mother, who was killed by a train Wednesday. Tani, aboard the international space station, is weeks away from returning home, but family members said they are attempting to arrange for a weekend service to be beamed to the astronaut by video conference. Rose Shegino Tani, 90, who endured more than two years in a World War II internment camp for Japanese Americans, was often cited by her son as his inspiration for success. She was killed when she drove around railroad... Chicago Sun-Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1942308/posts#comment Thu, 20 Dec 2007 16:15:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1942053/posts Police say the mother of a NASA astronaut who is on board the International Space Station died this afternoon when a train struck her vehicle at a crossing in a western Chicago suburb. Police say 90-year-old Rose Tani (TAH-nee) of Lombard is the mother of NASA astronaut Daniel M. Tani. Authorities say she was stopped behind a school bus that had halted at a crossing for a train. Officers said she apparently became impatient and drove around the bus. The train struck the passenger side of the vehicle. The woman was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Daniel Tani has... WQAD http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1942053/posts#comment Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:58:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1920545/posts Physician-astronaut Scott Parazynski, working on the end of a boom carried by the space station's robot arm, successfully repaired a mangled solar array today, cutting away a snarled guidewire, installing five suture-like braces and then standing by while his crewmates extended the array its full 110-foot length. Working with deliberate care, astronaut Dan Tani, sending commands from a computer inside the shuttle-station complex, extended the array's central mast a half bay at a time, stopping and letting Parazynski assess the health of the repairs as tension slowly built up on the just-installed braces. There were no problems and as the... Spaceflightnow.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1920545/posts#comment Sat, 3 Nov 2007 18:57:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1920324/posts A judge agreed Friday to toss much of the evidence against Nowak, a former astronaut accused of making a diaper-assisted, 1,000-mile drive to confront a woman vying for the affections of the same space shuttle pilot. Investigators took advantage of 44-year-old Lisa Nowak, who had not slept for more than 24 hours, coercing her into giving information in a lengthy arrest interview, Orange County Circuit Judge Marc L. Lubet said. Lubet granted a defense motion to throw out comments she made during the six-hour interview and items seized during a search of her BMW, including maps to alleged victim Colleen... Yahoo News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1920324/posts#comment Sat, 3 Nov 2007 01:48:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1894176/posts Buzz Aldrin said a former astronaut charged with attempted kidnapping should be ``admired'' -- but not excused -- for her resolve in allegedly confronting a romantic rival, according to a published report. Lisa Nowak was arrested in February after police said the married mother of three had driven nearly 1,000 miles to Orlando. ``Astronauts are not superhuman. They lead ordinary lives and have varied personalities,'' Aldrin said in comments published on Time magazine's Web site. South Florida Sun-Sentinel http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1894176/posts#comment Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:17:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1879894/posts ORLANDO, FLA. — Former astronaut Lisa Nowak wants a judge to let her remove the ankle bracelet that allows authorities to track her location as she awaits trial for allegedly attacking a romantic rival, saying it is "an unnecessary and excessive expense." Nowak is paying $105 a week — $2,940 so far — for the monitoring device as a condition of her release, according to a court filing her attorney says was made Thursday. The clerk at the Circuit Court in Orange County could not find the filing, but said it could be in the pipeline. Nowak also argues that... AP via Chron.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1879894/posts#comment Sun, 12 Aug 2007 00:13:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1878933/posts ORLANDO, Fla. - Former astronaut Lisa Nowak wants a judge to let her remove the ankle bracelet that allows authorities to track her as she awaits trial on suspicion of attacking a romantic rival, calling it expensive and unnecessary. Associated Press Writer http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1878933/posts#comment Thu, 9 Aug 2007 22:21:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1870294/posts CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - A spacewalking astronaut tossed two large chunks of junk off the international space station Monday, hurling the old equipment into orbit. Clayton Anderson, a sportsman who enjoys officiating basketball games back on Earth, heaved a 1,400-pound, refrigerator-size ammonia tank away from the station. His first toss was a 200-pound camera mounting. Mission Control declared the tank throw great and "right down the middle." "Well, in that case, give Brad Lidge and Roy Oswalt a call and tell them I just hummed a 17,500-mph fastball," Anderson said, referring to the star pitchers for his hometown Houston Astros.... AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1870294/posts#comment Mon, 23 Jul 2007 16:19:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1867074/posts A Canadian astronaut will be paying tribute to his Welsh heritage once more on his second mission into space. Dafydd Rhys Williams, whose father was from the valleys town of Bargoed, has already spoken Welsh in space and taken Gareth Edwards' rugby cap into orbit. Weeks away from his second trip on the space shuttle, Dr Williams told BBC Wales that a Welsh dragon would be watching over his mission notebook. The 14-day tour will see Dr Williams make three space walks. The former emergency room physician will be helping to build an extension on the international space station on... BBC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1867074/posts#comment Tue, 17 Jul 2007 06:42:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1863920/posts HOUSTON -- After more than two decades of waiting, NASA's first official educator astronaut is ready to fly. Barbara Morgan, who first joined NASA's spaceflyer ranks 22 years ago during the agency's Teacher in Space program, is due to launch Aug. 7 with six STS-118 crewmates aboard the shuttle Endeavour on a construction mission to the International Space Station (ISS). "We're very thrilled that we have a mission specialist who is an experienced educator," said Joyce Winterton, NASA's associate administrator for the Office of Education, during a briefing today here at the agency's Johnson Space Center (JSC). "Her mission will... Space.com on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1863920/posts#comment Wed, 11 Jul 2007 01:17:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1863228/posts ORLANDO, Florida — Former astronaut Lisa Nowak told a detective she came to Orlando to meet her rival for the affections of a fellow astronaut because she wanted to know where she stood in the bizarre love triangle, according to a police interview made public Monday. A 72-page transcript of the interview conducted after her February arrest, with portions redacted, was released by the State Attorney's Office. In it, Orlando Police Detective Chris Becton asks Nowak about why she wanted to meet Navy Capt. Colleen Shipman in a parking lot at the Orlando International Airport. Nowak, 44, is accused of... Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1863228/posts#comment Mon, 9 Jul 2007 22:22:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1858791/posts ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Was the astronaut really wearing a diaper? It depends on which story you believe. Late-night comedians had a field day with the story of an astronaut who drove more than 900 miles from Houston to Orlando to confront a romantic rival -- while wearing diapers so she wouldn't have to stop. But now, an attorney for former astronaut Lisa Nowak says his client wasn't wearing diapers during the trip, calling the story "an absolute fabrication." He made the remarks after filing motions to suppress evidence in Nowak's criminal case. The tidbit that Nowak wore diapers during... MyFox Orlando http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1858791/posts#comment Sat, 30 Jun 2007 14:30:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1840181/posts Last Updated: Saturday, 26 May 2007, 15:16 GMT 16:16 UK William Oefelein admitted to having had an affair with Ms Novak The Space Shuttle pilot involved in a love triangle that led to a bizarre show-down between a female astronaut and her rival is to leave Nasa. William Oefelein, 42, has been reassigned to the navy, his original corps, the US space agency said. Astronaut Lisa Nowak, who had an affair with him, is awaiting trial on charges of attempted kidnapping and assault. In February she drove across five states to confront her love rival and pepper-sprayed her car. On... BBC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1840181/posts#comment Sat, 26 May 2007 15:46:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1827856/posts Walter Marty (Wally) Schirra Jr American Pilot Astronaut. Born 12 March 1923. Member of first crew to rendezvous in space. Personal: Male, Married, Two children. Born in Hackensack, New Jersey, USA. Astronaut Career Astronaut Group: NASA Group 1 - 1959. Inactive Entered space service: 2 April 1959. Left space service: 1969. Number of Flights: 3.00. Total Time: 12.30 days. NAME: Walter M. Schirra BIRTHPLACE AND DATE: Schirra was born in Hackensack, NJ, on March 12, 1923. EDUCATION: Graduated United States Naval Academy in 1945 EXPERIENCE: Schirra received his Naval Flight Training at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida, in 1947.... Encyclopedia Astronautica http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1827856/posts#comment Thu, 3 May 2007 16:40:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1826668/posts HOW do you pray facing Mecca five times a day when you are circling the Earth 16 times every 24 hours? This is one of the problems facing Malaysian authorities as they prepare to send their first man into space. There are others: how to hold the prayer position in zero gravity, ensure that only halal freeze-dried food is in your space cupboard and perform your ritual ablutions before worship? They have all been answered by a team of Islamic scholars and scientists that has spent more than a year working on guidelines for the astronaut. news.com.au http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1826668/posts#comment Tue, 1 May 2007 17:54:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1816300/posts The Kremlin has vetoed a move to launch a fresh investigation into the death of Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, despite aviation specialists' belief that they have unravelled one of the 20th century's greatest enigmas. The rebuff comes as Russians celebrate Cosmonauts' Day today, the anniversary of Gagarin's historic flight around the Earth on 12 April 1961. That foray, which lasted just 68 minutes, was a milestone in the space race between the Soviet Union and the US. But Gagarin was destined to a short, controversial life. On 27 March 1968, Gagarin died in a mysterious plane crash... belfast telegraph http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1816300/posts#comment Thu, 12 Apr 2007 18:46:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1815491/posts ORLANDO, Fla. - A police search of former astronaut Lisa Nowak's car turned up bondage photos on a computer disk, British currency and pills, according to documents released Tuesday by prosecutors. This photo released by the Orlando State's Attorney office on Tuesday April 10, 2007, shows a floppy disk and portable storage devices that were recovered from the car driven by NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak after she was arrested for trying to kidnap a romantic rival. Nowak was arrested in February 2007 after police say she drove from Houston to Florida to confront Air Force Capt. Colleen Shipman. Authorities have... Associated Press and Yahoo News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1815491/posts#comment Wed, 11 Apr 2007 14:15:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1807833/posts CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Astronaut Sunita Williams is stuck in space — at least temporarily. She flew up to the international space station last December planning to come home in early July after a seven-month stay. When she comes back now will be a bit later than she planned. The problem is that a hail storm that damaged the fuel tank of the space shuttle Atlantis has knocked NASA's flight schedule for the year out of whack. Her ticket home, space shuttle Endeavour, may get off the ground several weeks later than its originally scheduled June 28 launch. So Williams... AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1807833/posts#comment Wed, 28 Mar 2007 01:54:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1804349/posts "The former NASA astronaut accused of trying to kidnap a woman while in possession of a steel mallet, rubber tubing and a knife will help develop flight lesson plans at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi." Corpus Christi Caller-Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1804349/posts#comment Wed, 21 Mar 2007 15:24:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1797902/posts Wednesday's actions by NASA to terminate the status of Capt. Lisa Marie Nowak, USN, as an astronaut, effective the next day, raise questions of fairness and of due process, which is the heart of our legal system. This unprecedented quest for speed was emphasized by the fact that Nowak's official biography was simultaneously, overnight, moved from the "Active Astronauts" category to the "Former Astronauts" category with a bland notation that she "returned to navy duty effective March 8, 2007." A month ago, Capt. Nowak was charged with trying to kidnap a woman she regarded as her romantic rival for the... Denver Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1797902/posts#comment Fri, 9 Mar 2007 08:44:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1796952/posts Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP) -- Astronaut Lisa Nowak was fired from NASA on Wednesday, a month after she was charged with trying to kidnap a woman she regarded as her romantic rival for the affections of a space shuttle pilot. NASA officials said Nowak's dismissal did not reflect the space agency's belief in her guilt or innocence. The agency said it lacked an administrative system to handle the allegations because Nowak is a naval officer on assignment to NASA, rather than a NASA civil servant. If Nowak were a civil servant, NASA would have the choice of placing her on... AP via SFGate http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1796952/posts#comment Wed, 7 Mar 2007 20:58:29 GMT