Great photo recently posted by NASA of the Lunar Orbit and Landing Approach (LOLA) models, used to prep for landing on the lunar surface – I remember these VERY well! These LOLA models may have been dedicated to a scientific purpose…but they have certainly become art!

Happy Friday and a Happy #WorldPilotsDay ! Whether it’s commercial, military, test, amateur hobby…or even space…our world wouldn’t be the same without you! Here’s to your hard work and dedication to the craft.

Remembering that April 25th is ANZAC Day – a date on which we recognize the heroism, fortitude and selflessness of Australian and New Zealand forces. From Gallipoli, to North Africa and the South Pacific, and from Vietnam to now, ANZAC troops – our steadfast friends – have fought…

Putting up a few pictures of our home this #EarthDay today. Of course, the famous Earthrise photo taken by Bill Anders is the one in color, but the B&W snap taken by Frank Borman was the first ever picture of Earth captured by a human orbiting the Moon – both were taken on Apollo…

A star-gazer’s alert here. It looks like we may be treated to a major supernova viewing at some point this year when the “Blaze Star”, T Coronae Borealis explodes – and from what I’ve read, this may be a once-in-a-lifetime observable phenomenon. There aren’t any specifics on date…

I thought this one was clever – a fresh take on an old photo trick! Thanks to NASA for putting this one up. Perfect timing for Engineer Cindy Fuentes Rosal and the photographer to get it right on!

Today in 1970, after several trying and difficult days, the Apollo 13 mission splashed down on Earth. It was a time of great relief, not only for us in the astronaut corps, but for all Americans, and indeed, our friends watching around the world. The steadiness of 13’s crew, and…

Happy birthday today to the Air Force Reserve, as well as the airmen and women, past and present, who’ve soared the skies and served our nation in times of peace and war. 76 years young, and still the proud, ever-capable, and ready-go patriots you’ve always been. Enjoy your day…

STS-1 – the first Space Shuttle mission – launched 43 years ago today from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Space Center. The orbiter for STS-1 was the Columbia, which circled the Earth 37 times over the span of the 54-hour mission. The Shuttle program inspired a lot of Americans, particularly kids…

From what I’ve seen, the #eclipse generated some significant crowds and viewing enthusiasm across the world – and it was pretty spectacular for many! It’s the kind of thing that keeps people inspired and interested in astronomy and space. On that note, if you have some pictures,…

Just a friendly reminder from your loyal moonwalker, we’re in store for a pretty good solar eclipse on April 8th! The show will vary depending on your location, but it’s the last total solar eclipse visible in the contiguous U.S. until 2044. Keep your eyes peeled (but properly…

One of America’s great legends, the Pony Express began service today in 1860. The express only lasted 18 months, but its impact on American history has far superseded its existence as a mode of mail delivery. What I admire about the Pony Express is that the travails and dangers…

Wishing the Royal Air Force a Happy Birthday today! The RAF has served valiantly around the globe – its finest hour being the defense of England during the Battle of Britain. 106 years old and looking good today – no foolin!!

Wishing all of you a blessed and Happy Easter on this sacred and holy day. To you and yours, have a wonderful and fulfilling holiday!

There’s some interesting new data on the science of Moonquakes, essentially showing that tectonic and seismic lunar activity may have been more significant than originally thought. There’s value in reviewing older or overlooked data when new technology or information becomes…

Happy 96th birthday to a crew-mate and friend, Jim Lovell. Here’s to another trip around the sun.

Well, if Patrick Henry was giving his famous speech today, which he did on March 22nd, 1775, I would answer, “Give me liberty!!” Henry was of course one of the great orators in American history, and a founding voice of freedom in the early days of the American Republic. I have a…

This week saw the unfortunate passing of two great patriots who served America with high distinction and honor: Thomas Stafford, a fellow Gemini and Apollo astronaut, 3-Star General and a military inspiration of and for many astronauts – and General Alfred M. Gray Jr., a veteran…

March 19th, I presume? One of the great explorers was born today – Dr. Livingstone, who spent a great portion of his life in Africa, with his most famous expedition focused on determining the source of the Nile River. To me, the big takeaway from people like Livingstone is what…

Wishing all of you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day – a celebration of faith and the history and culture of Ireland. One doesn’t have to be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. Nor do you have to be on Earth…in fact, NASA astronaut Cady Coleman celebrated St. Paddy’s from the ISS playing a…