tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6952925068925494892.post7538370476543212082..comments2023-10-29T05:06:20.610-07:00Comments on Citizen O'Kane: Godspeed, John GlennJim O'Kanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01806624628546492210noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6952925068925494892.post-66685148878512008712012-02-23T01:03:53.067-08:002012-02-23T01:03:53.067-08:00Glenn's shuttle flight was both thrilling and ...Glenn's shuttle flight was both thrilling and disappointing -- a PR battle against the increasing pointlessness of most of the 90's shuttle missions. NASA had already lost its prime shuttle customer - the USAF - after <em>Challenger</em>, and with no "destination," the shuttle was a vehicle with no real purpose. Fortunately, the Glenn flight was one of the last of the non-ISS missions, and NASA would be tied up with actual space construction projects for the entire decade to follow.Jim O'Kanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01806624628546492210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6952925068925494892.post-27130904166722729942012-02-22T08:22:18.764-08:002012-02-22T08:22:18.764-08:00Terrific essay. I remember that GI Joe kit; always...Terrific essay. I remember that GI Joe kit; always wished I'd had it (I had a Joe, just not the astronaut gear). I thought Glenn's shuttle flight was delightful. NASA and pretty much the entire country winked and nodded at the "research" cover story when everyone knew we just wanted to give a champion racehorse one more lap around the track. It was one of the more useful things the shuttle accomplished.Brian Fieshttp://brianfies.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com