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Spaceman Mike Massimino

By Dave English

I just finished the great book Spaceman: An Astronaut’s Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe by Mike Massimino. (It came out earlier this month, hardcopy, kindle, iBooks.) It’s an easy engaging read, the personal story of his cool travels through colleges, companies, and on to two amazing Hubble rescue missions on the Space Shuttle. Best astronaut book I’ve read in a while. Along the way, ‘Mass’ shares some of the secrets learnt getting a PhD from MIT, learning to be an astronaut, and actually fixing the Hubble telescope in high Earth orbit. Here are some of my … Continue reading Spaceman Mike Massimino

Still amazed

By Dave English

I’ve watched Manfred Radius do aerobatics in his Salto sailplane, and it’s beautiful in a way very different from the fast jets or high-roll-rate biplanes. Always an inspiring show. Doesn’t surprise me that Manfred maintains his wonder of flight. Lose the wonder, the excitement, the enjoyment … and your performance will soon also start to sadly decline. (Original photo credit U.S. Navy, snapped by Edward I. Fagg during the 50th Anniversary Naval Air Station Oceana Air Show)

Gene Cernan on passion

By Dave English

This quote is from the wonderful new documentary The Last Man on the Moon, that’s in cinemas and iTunes/Amazon right now. Cernan’s love of flying powered his amazing career as a Navy fighter pilot, aeronautical engineer, and astronaut. He flew in space three times, including the last Apollo mission where he walked (and drove) on the Moon. The picture was taken by Harrison Schmitt following their third Lunar EVA. His suit is covered in moon dust. (Credit NASA, http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/apollo/apollo17/hires/as17-145-22224.jpg)