Tag Archives: space shuttle

Interpreting the Decision to Build the Space Shuttle


Wernher von Braun once supposedly told his colleagues: “We can lick gravity, but sometimes the paperwork is overwhelming.” Whether true or not the statement reflects what has been viewed for the last forty years as one of the traditional difficulties … Continue reading

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Redirect: Chicken Little Was Right


I published on March 4, 2013, a new commentary on the policy issues surrounding what to do about asteroid/meteor/comet impacts. Chicken Little Was Right  just appeared on the National Air and Space Museum’s blog. It notes that yes, indeed, the … Continue reading

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How Do Space Activities Contribute to Our Daily Lives?


I was recently asked this question, how do space activities contribute to our daily lives? I must confess that I have been asked it many times previously. Virtually every time this question is asked, however, it is because the person … Continue reading

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Reflections on the Loss of STS-107: Ten Years Ago (Redirect)


I posted on the National Air and Space Museum website this morning a reflection of the tenth anniversary of Columbia, STS-107, on February 1, 2003. For those who would like to read this blog post, it is available here.

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Remembering the Challenger Seven: 27 Years On


Since the loss of STS-51L took place on this date in 1986 I thought I would reflect on the lives of the crew that was lost in that tragedy. These seven astronauts—including the specialties of pilot, aerospace engineers, and scientists—died … Continue reading

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Evening Event: “Caution and Boldness: Balancing Risk in Spaceflight” on February 1, 2013


The Smithsonian Institution’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, is holding an event which promises to be interesting—”Caution and Boldness: Balancing Risk in Spaceflight“—on the evening of February 1, 2013. This is an event for the National Air and … Continue reading

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What is the Space Shuttle’s Place in Modern American History?


It began with the desire to ensure a continuous human presence in Earth orbit during the post-Moon landing era. The result of this effort has required a continued access to orbit with the Space Shuttle, giving humans the experience of … Continue reading

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A Chronology of Space Anniversaries for 2013


Many people have asked what anniversaries are upcoming in 2013 in space history. Here is a quick list. Are there items that I should add to this accounting? 1923—90 years ago December: Die Rakete zu den Planetenräumen (The Rocket into … Continue reading

Posted in Apollo, Cold War Competition, History, International Space Station, Lunar Exploration, Personal, Politics, Science, Space, Space Shuttle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Smithsonian Channel Award-Winning Documentary on the Space Shuttle


I am happy to note that the Smithsonian Channel will air its award-winning  documentary, “Space Shuttle: Final Countdown.” I helped with this documentary, and was also interviewed for it. If you do not currently receive the channel, please check here to see … Continue reading

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Roger Launius Interviewed on “The Space Show,” November 30, 2012


On Friday, November 30, 2012, I participated in an interview about the history of spaceflight on “The Space Show,” hosted by Dr. David Livingston. We talked about my new book, Coming Home: Reentry and Recovery from Space, co-written with Dennis … Continue reading

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