Over at USA Today, I say that after four lost decades, it’s time to end it:
After over four decades, it is time to stop awaiting a repeat of a glorious but limited and improbable past. We must, finally, return to and embrace the true future, in which the solar system and ultimately the universe is opened up to all, with affordable, competing commercial transportation systems, in the way that only Americans can do it.
I’ll have some other stuff up later, in other venues.
…author says too few people are dying in space.
It entered 35 years ago today.
I’ve received the following information:
Services for our dear friend Bill Gaubatz will be held Saturday, July 19 at 2 pm at St Peter’s by the Sea Presbyterian Church in Rancho Palos Verdes. There will be a reception immediately following at the church.
The church address is:
6410 Palos Verdes Drive South
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
I’ll certainly be attending.
Nothing has changed in four years, except the name of the rocket.
I talked to Buzz yesterday, and he’s promoting a huge social-media celebration of the event (the actual anniversary is a week from Sunday).
[Update a while later]
Well, this is kind of a frightening interview.
That he was allowed to manage anything at NASA explains a lot.
I’m hearing that he passed away yesterday. If so, it’s a loss to the space community. I don’t think I’d seen him since last August, in Alamogordo. I’m glad I got his signature on my DC-X model.
I’ll update as I get more info.
[Evening update]
OK, I reported it first, but now Jerry Pournelle remembers Bill. and DC-X. His conclusion, with which I agree:
I note that over the years many of the participants in making DC/X possible have died. Those include Robert Heinlein, Harry Stine, Duke Kane, Steve Possony, Dan Graham, and I’m sure many more. I hope they’re all waiting to welcome Bill Gaubatz to the old space warriors club.
I’m not big on the concept of the afterlife, but if it’s true, I hope so, too.
To celebrate the 45th anniversary of the first moon landing on the 20th, Astrobooks is offering the book for $15.95 through the end of July.
RIP.
I haven’t read all his books, but The Rocket Team