OURstory: Dr. Bernard Harris

Did you know that Astronaut Dr. Bernard Harris was the first African American to walk in space on February 2, 1995?

Dr. Harris was the Payload Commander on STS-63, the first flight of the joint Russian-American Space Program. He fulfilled his childhood dreams and became another pioneer in Black history.

This is not the first time we have talked about the impact of African Americans in the space program. You may recall that we showed this video of space history that isn't well known:






Did you ever dream of being an astronaut?

Wordless Wednesday: NASA Space Shuttle Endeavor Final Landing Back on Earth

Obama Selects Charles Bolden to Lead NASA

We told you a few months ago that Charles Bolden -- a former fighter pilot and Marine Corps major general, is also a veteran space shuttle commander -- was a leading candidate to become NASA's next administrator.

Today, we are pleased to let you know that President Obama made it official by appointing Bolden to lead NASA into the future. Bolden, the third African American to fly in space, met with Obama at the White House earlier this week. Read the full story here.

I have a feeling that the other 14 current and former African American astronauts ... and the entire Negro American Society of Space Astronauts (NASSA) ... are feeling mighty proud today!

Will Barack Obama Take Us to the Moon?

I just checked the NASA website. No decision yet on a new NASA administrator. I'm still holding out hope that Obama will appoint Charles Bolden. In the meantime, I see that Obama ordered a comprehensive review of NASA's plans to return astronauts to the moon. Expected to last 60 to 90 days, the independent review will examine designs for the launch and exploration vehicles proposed for use by the Constellation program and the timeframe for flying lunar missions. [SOURCE]

I'm a science fiction fan. So, I hope that we resume our space program. We can't get to infinity and beyond if we don't get back to the moon.

What say u?

Could Charles Bolden be First African American to lead NASA?

A former astronaut who has made four trips into space is reportedly a leading candidate for the top job at NASA ... the real one, not the Negro Space Program!

If selected by President-elect Barack Obama, Charles Bolden Jr. , 62, a retired Marine Corps general who makes his home in Houston's Bay Area, would be the first African American to head the space agency.

Read the rest of the media story at the Houston Chronicle.

Manic Monday: Moon

The theme for this week's Manic Monday meme is 'Moon'. Villagers know that I use this weekly meme to explore some aspect of African American history or culture.

Did you know that there are 15 past, current and future African American astronauts?

Many villagers think that Guion Bluford was the first Black astronaut. That is wrong. Though Bluford was the first African American to enter space, he was not the first African American astronaut. That distinction belongs to Robert H. Lawrence Jr., who became an astronaut on June 10, 1967. Tragically, Lawrence never made it into space. A short time later, he was killed when his plane crashed during a training flight.

Other notable African Americans in the space program include Bernard A. Harris Jr., the first African American to walk in space, and Mae C. Jamison, the first African American woman in space.

No Black astronaut ever went on a mission to the moon. Things might have been different if rampant discrimination in the space program didn't spell doom for NASSA, the Negro American Society of Space Astronauts.

What?
You haven't heard about the old Negro Space Program? Lucky for you ... we have a video documentary on a little-known aspect of American history. Check it out!

Data Recovery New York or the 11 Planets

I see where Maryn Smith, the winner of the National Geographic planetary mnemonic contest, has created a handy way to remember the planets and their order in distance from the sun. Her award-winning phrase is: 'My Very Exciting Magic Carpet Just Sailed Under Nine Palace Elephants'. The 11 recognized planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Ceres, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Eris. Ceres, Pluto and Eris are considered dwarf planets.

Of course the rest of us need something more than mnemonics to restore data our lost data. Fortunately, there is a company, DataHotline, with experienced professionals and the resources to recover our lost data. Whether the data loss is the result of human error, a malicious action, hardware/software failure or an act of God. DataHotline uses innovation, experience and advanced technology to offer comprehensive and efficient data recovery services to all of their clients.

DataHotline pledges to meet three objectives with every recovery project:

1. Exceed our clients' expectations in retrieving their valued data.
2. Meet our time commitments for every data recovery project.
3. Understand that the complete satisfaction of DataHotline's clients is our responsibility and duty.

The company guarantees fast and dependable data recovery solutions. They have a number of testimonials from current and past customers. Give them a call if you are interested in learning more:

Toll Free: (800) 959-8864
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Of course, if you can name the 11 planets without looking at the first paragraph of this post ... then you may not need this service!

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Wordless Wednesday: Virgin Galactic

Worlds's First Spaceline!