Abstract

Notes on Ex-Astronaut

The article focuses on views of astronomer and educator Brian O'Leary who states that indifference toward science is found not only in the astronaut community but also in the entire NASA manned space program. In September 1966, while I was a graduate student at Berkeley, I came upon a leaflet entitled "Opportunities for Scientists as Astronauts." It was issued by the National Academy of Sciences and described extensive plans for scientific missions in earth orbit and on the moon, to follow almost immediately upon the first Apollo landing. The panel selected sixty eight scientists out of 933 applicants. This roster was then sent to the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, the training ground for astronauts, for the final pick of ten to twenty astronauts.