The Flight Deck for February 2003, Issue 117
From the Bridge:
Greetings and welcome to February. Of course, the foremost topic on most minds is the tragedy that occurred on February 1st. The loss of the Columbia is another jolting reminder that there is nothing routine about space travel, and the men and women who journey there are risking everything to advance mankind.
Turning to cheerier matters, the Halsey is now officially NCC-2868-A, Nebula Class. Congrats everyone! The recommissioning, despite the horrid weather, went really well and I thank all those who came. A special thanks to CMDR Judi Davidson for her lovely portrait of the Halsey and to the "committee" who put together the ship's plaque that was presented to me. Thanks all!
I would also like to announce that the Fleet Commander-in-Chief, FADM Don Dailey, has reactivated his flag and moved his flag and staff onto the Halsey, making us the offical Fleet Flagship. Can I get a huzzah? Welcome aboard all.
Many ideas were thrown about at the January meeting, and lots of them were really good. Seeing as how it's freezing and snowy outside, several of them will have to wait for warmer weather. But some of the indoor activities, including bowling and mini-golf, are plausible. Does anyone have any idea where a suitable facility of this type can be found in Indy? I know some great places, but there all down here. And unless you really want to drive two hours for golf....
I'm also putting out a call for Halsey photographs, particularly of recent events. Please contact me if you have any to provide for display and website.
The February meeting will be on Saturday, February 22nd at the ADMs Sundstrom's. Start time is 6pm, and remember to bring raffle items and munchies. We'll have several items on the agenda, including further information on community service projects. Hope to see everyone there!
FCAPT Cathy Dailey
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To the astronauts of the space shuttle Columbia,
Rick D. Husband
William C. McCool
Michael P. Anderson
David M. Brown
Kalpana Chawla
Laurel Clark
Ilan Ramon
We salute your courage, your ability, and your willingness to reach to the stars. We will always remember.
"Fly Columbia, fly Columbia!
Thunder toward tomorrow on an oxygen stream
Thunder toward tomorrow, fire, flame and rocket song
Mark a new time of man
Booster candles light the dawn
Fly Columbia, fly Columbia!
Foundation of the future
Courier of dreams
Thunder on!"
---from "Fly Columbia" by Julia Ecklar
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Upcoming Events:
February 22nd--February Halsey Meeting, 6pm, at the ADMs Sundstrom
March 15th--March Halsey Meeting (place and time TBD)
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Beamdown Coordinates:
ADM Paul & ADM Sandy Sundstrom
237 N. 18th Ave, Beech Grove
Directions:
1. Take I-65 to Keystone Ave Exit (#107).
2. Turn right if coming from the south--left if coming from the north
3. Turn right at light onto Troy Ave.
4. Turn left in between Walgreens' and Chinese takeout place.
5. Continue straight through stop sign (stop first!)
6. 237 on right side of street.
Hope to see you there!
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Birthdays & Anniversaries
February 5th--Honorary CAPT Eugene Roddenberry
(By the way, if you would like your anniversary to be included, please let me know!)
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From the "You've Come a Long Way, Baby" Desk:
China still planning 2003 manned mission
Lofty program to put human into space remains unchanged despite U.S. disaster
By GEOFFREY YORK
BEIJING -- Even as Americans raise troubling questions about their space program in the aftermath of the Columbia disaster, China is increasingly bold and more confident in its ambitious plans to put a human into space by the end of this year.
The state news media were unanimous yesterday in their demands for China to continue expanding its space program. Chinese space officials, sounding more determined than ever to put a human into orbit soon, confirmed that the launch target is unchanged.
"China will launch its first manned space craft this year," Chinese astronautic scientist Tu Shou'e told the People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party.
He said China should learn lessons from the Columbia disaster to improve its space program and "smoothly fulfill the Chinese nation's dream of flying in space." The tragedy cannot thwart the exploration of space, "although the road is full of danger and difficulties."
Min Guirong, a space scientist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the U.S. disaster has no direct bearing on the Chinese space program because China does not reuse its spaceships.
China would be the third country with an independent space program that has succeeded in putting a human into space. The Soviet Union was first and the United States second.
After years of maintaining a cloak of secrecy over its space aims, China in recent weeks has gone public with its plans for a manned space flight in October or November. The Columbia disaster has failed to deter China's leaders, who see their space program as an essential element in Beijing's growing prestige and influence on the world stage.
Chinese President Jiang Zemin sent a message of condolence to the United States after the space shuttle disintegrated during re-entry on Saturday, killing all seven astronauts on board. But he added that humanity "should continue and make further progress in space exploration despite the setback."
The Chinese media recalled how a much earlier disaster had failed to prevent China from developing a space program. In the 16th century, Confucian scholar Wan Hu strapped himself into a wooden chair with 47 rockets attached. When he ignited the rockets, he perished in a massive explosion. Today, he is honoured with monuments in China, and is regarded as the pioneer of the Chinese space program.
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From the "Can't You Tell I Love Valentine's Day?" Desk:
These are entries to a competition asking for a rhyme with the most romantic first line but the least romantic second line:
Love may be beautiful, love may be bliss But I only slept with you, cause I was pissed
Roses are red, violets are blue,sugar is sweet, so are you. But the roses are wilting, the violets are dead, The sugar bowl is empty & so is your head.
Of loving beauty you float with grace If only you could hide your face
I thought that I could love no other Until, that is, I met your brother
Kind, intelligent, loving and hot This describes everything you are not
I want to feel your sweet embrace But don't take that paper bag off of your face
I love your smile, your face, and your eyes- Damn, I'm good at telling lies!
Every time I see your face I wish I were in outer space
I saw your face as you walked by
But then I saw a better guy
My darling, my lover, my beautiful wife: Marrying you screwed up my life
I see your face when I am dreaming That's why I always wake up screaming
My love you take my breath away
What have you stepped in to smell this way
My feelings for you no words can tell
Except for maybe "go to hell"
What inspired this amorous rhyme?
Two parts vodka, one part lime
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end transmission
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