 |
| Gemini capsule Smithsonian Air And Space Museum Washington DC |
Author Tom Wolfe died recently. One of his best known books, The Right Stuff, served as a guide to my travels in Florida back in 2012. The insights he shared helped me understand the people who founded the USA's space program, and the challenges they faced. Later, his book spurred other adventures in Texas and California.
The early astronaut program drew on the men who piloted experimental aircraft. These men packed themselves into canisters that were shot into space. The pilot in Nevil Shute's book who has to spy on his own country reminds me of those early astronauts.
Remember how the former World War I pilot had to remain in a fixed position for hours, ignoring hunger and cold, battling sleep and maintaining focus with his temperamental airplane? When I look at the tight confines of these early capsules, like the Gemini, I wonder how long I could sit cooped up in there like that, with a helmet and spacesuit on.
Then again, if I got bored, I could just open the hatch and take a spacewalk, right?
If you're interested in looking back, to follow are a few of the posts I wrote about my Tom Wolfe inspired journeys.
Florida
Honoring the Mercury Seven
The U.S. Space Walk Hall of Fame
Everybody's Comin' to Kennedy Space Center
Texas
Meet NASA's Robot Astronaut
California
Our Visit to Edwards Air Force Base Part 2
Enjoy.
Dragon Dave
No comments:
Post a Comment