Do you think the Nasa guy who says "lift off" at space launches....

[HEyHEY]

Knew how famous his job would be?

I mean, think about it. That is the most famous space programme saying. Do you suppose he knew that when he asked for the job? If I had that job, everyday I'd wake up thinking, "cool, I'm the guy who says 'lift off.'"

Just thinking out loud. :-)

[GOPisEvil]

1. It was a woman for a while, wasn't it?

XNASA can probably give us chapter and verse on this subject...

[Richardo]

3. I think it's one of the other astronauts serving as "cap com"...

...if they still call it that.

My understanding is that it's a rotating thing with a different communications person for every mission. But, :shrug:

XNASA can set us straight, I bet.

[jimbo fett]

2. I wonder if he drives his wife crazy by saying "lift off" during sex?

[HEyHEY]

4. Or "Houston we have a problem"

[GOPisEvil]

5. I'll bet she likes the...

..."reentry phase" though. :evilgrin:

[Richardo]

6. I don't even want to hear about "splashdown" if you please...

:evilgrin:

[XNASA]

7. George Diller

George works for Kennedy PAO (Public Affairs Office). He's been doing most of the NASA commentary for Shuttle launches since the program began.

Here's what George looks like:



He dresses like an sportscaster, circa 1973. Loud ties, denim sportcoats, etc. Since he's a Federal Employee, and since he's mostly clueless, we had a lot of fun at his expense. "We" being the contractors.

Once the Shuttle clears the tower at launch, responsibility for the vehicle switches to Mission Control Houston and the TV Commentary switches to Houston as well.

The CAPCOM (an acronym for Capsule Commander, a term left over from the Gemini era) is responsible for communicating with the crew. He or she is the mouthpiece of Mission Control to the orbiter. But also occupying a seat in Mission Control is a representative of Houston PAO. Those are the people that do most of the commentary while the vehicle is on orbit. You will hear the CAPCOM, but not as commentary. The most well known of the Houston PAO Commentators is a guy named Rob Navias. He's the current newsroom chief at JSC. He's also a great guy.

So there you have it.

[GOPisEvil]

8. See? I knew you'd have the scoop.