We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2007 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html Sun, 03 Aug 2008 16:51:10 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2008 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Astronaut U.S. Army Col. Jeffrey N. Williams is assisted by Russian search and recovery personnel after landing in Kazakhstan. Williams, who was in space for six months, was the primary flight engineer and NASA science officer aboard the International Space Station. This photo appeared on www.army.mil."> by NASA October 2, 2006 Astronaut U.S. Army Col. Jeffrey N. Williams is assisted by Russian search and recovery personnel after landing in Kazakhstan. Williams, who was in space for six months, was the primary flight engineer and NASA science officer aboard the International Space Station. This photo appeared on www.army.mil. JSC2006-E-42734 (29... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html Tue, 03 Oct 2006 06:57:56 -0600 Oh yeah, Chief, I think General Medaris was ordered to personally climb up at least one about-to-be-launched rocket and verify by touch and sight, and report in writing, that there was no attempted satellite thereupon. And Mac is still alive. Maybe he hurts?... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51177 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51177 Thu, 05 Oct 2006 02:20:13 -0600 Ironically, the Army could have beaten the USSR into orbit by two months. "Engine Charlie" Wilson, Eisenhower's SecDef (cut from the same cloth that also gave us Robert MacNamara), was bound and determined that the first US satellite would be launched on a prime mover (Vanguard) produced by private enterprise -- totally ignoring the fact that all the rocket talent was surrounded by Army Green. Every time a Redstone was tested, the PM had to certify, in writing, that there was *no* satellite on board and courier the affidavit to the SecDef before he would approve the launch. Up went Sputnik. Charlie Wilson threw bales of money at Vanguard (scooped up by the Navy -- it was their project), which resulted in some great footage of Vanguards exploding, falling over on the launch pad during gyro spinup and, in general, going *bloop!* instead of *whoosh!* The very-expensive satellites on board were collateral damage, along with Charlie Wilson's ego. When Eisenhower finally decided Charlie's shenannigan's had cost the US enough prestige, he sent the Army one of the few satellites left and told the PM to stick it on a Redstone and launch it, ASAP. And the rest is history. As was Charlie Wilson's political career... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51141 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51141 Tue, 03 Oct 2006 21:47:22 -0600 Well, in the Russian's defense, they carry all the long-time-in-space cosmonauts like that - because they aren't used to one gee... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51140 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51140 Tue, 03 Oct 2006 19:28:39 -0600 I think that the US Army Ballistic Missile agency, aside from launching the first American Earth Satellite, also launched the first payload to achieve escape velocity. It was a little cone-shaped thing intended to hit the Moon, but missed and went into solar orbit. The Peenemuende Gang helped, of course. Which reminds me: I actually met Eberhard Rees and he spoke to me, once. It was at the condiment stand in the cafeteria of the 4200 building of MSFC. He said, "Who shtole ze vinegar?!" http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51139 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51139 Tue, 03 Oct 2006 17:39:54 -0600 Mebbe I'm from a different generation; but looking back, I'd never thought to see the day in which a Sov... ***er*** russian officers would carry a U.S. Army Officer like a hero. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51138 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51138 Tue, 03 Oct 2006 17:31:48 -0600 It's part of an experiment to see if the presence of the Army really does create mud, anywhere. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51128 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51128 Tue, 03 Oct 2006 11:33:00 -0600 See what ya can learn 'round here? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51127 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51127 Tue, 03 Oct 2006 10:20:04 -0600 Army guys in space?? Very interesting, especially, since the Russians cosmonauts are all coming from the Air Force (must hit a certain flying hours ceiling in order to be even considered) with exception of the civilian researchers... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51126 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51126 Tue, 03 Oct 2006 10:19:46 -0600 FYI The jetpack US astrounauts use was invented by an Army LTC back in the early 1990s. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51125 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51125 Tue, 03 Oct 2006 10:17:48 -0600 FYI The jetpack US astrounauts use was invented by an Army LTC back in the early 1990s. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51124 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51124 Tue, 03 Oct 2006 10:17:30 -0600 jim b racks the pump on his shotgun .... it's okay guys I got your back .. no one is gonna make a "Pigs in Space" joke on my watch. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51122 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51122 Tue, 03 Oct 2006 09:53:13 -0600 why? cuz we need someone on the highest ground doing the spotting. that's why. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51109 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/10/nice_work_if_you_can_get_it.html#comment-51109 Tue, 03 Oct 2006 07:59:15 -0600