Comments on: Tau Kē Tēnei Wiki: NASA is Hiring Astronauts

By: Mark R.

Mark R. — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 06:19:18 +0000

In reply to Heather Hastie. Yeah, that is a cool jetpack...I'd probably kill myself if I had one though. lol!

By: rickflick

rickflick — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 22:48:49 +0000

In reply to Heather Hastie. Very cool jet pack.

By: Heather Hastie

Heather Hastie — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 22:05:41 +0000

In reply to Mark R..

If I could spend that much without noticing, I’d be in, but I can’t see that happening.

I was in my first year of high school when Star Wars arrived. It had a big effect on me too. It’s the first movie I saw several times.

I saw on the news the other night that the NZ guy who’s been developing jet packs for a while has finally got a commercial model sorted. See here: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/exclusive-first-pictures-kiwi-jetpack-invention-lifts-off-for-maiden-flight
and: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/maiden-jetpack-flight-was-a-pleasurable-experience-for-former-air-force-pilot?autoPlay=4620971541001

By: Mark R.

Mark R. — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 17:10:56 +0000

On July 20th, 1969, I was 3 months, 18 days old, so I don’t remember the landing. As I got older, I was fascinated by the fact we landed on the moon and actually considered becoming an astronaut. I imagine a lot of gen-X kids did. I know a lot of my friends wanted to be astronauts as well. I also think back then that being an astronaut meant going to Mars and beyond. I think our goals were set very high in the 70’s by the success of the lunar landings. By now I thought we’d all have jetpacks! I was 8 when Star Wars hit the world, and that movie increased my desire for space exploration. But by high school, I didn’t think about being an astronaut. I think a main reason was I knew one had to be a jet pilot which meant joining the military which meant, “no thanks”. Nowadays, I would love to take a rocket into outer space to see the earth from orbit, and perhaps in my lifetime the opportunity will arrive. I don’t know if Virgin Galactic is still viable…I think their goal was a $250,000 price tag for a civilian space flight. I don’t know if $250,000 would be worth it though…I could think of better things to spend the money on. 🙂

By: rickflick

rickflick — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 13:30:30 +0000

I was a little older than you when Armstrong stepped on the moon. We watched it live. Pretty damned exciting. I was disappointed when the program ended.

By: Heather Hastie

Heather Hastie — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 05:23:01 +0000

In reply to rickflick. They've specified no age limit ... I guess it comes down to whether age or experience is more important.

By: rickflick

rickflick — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 03:09:45 +0000

Well, I’m ready any time. But, as I approach 70 years old, I think my reflexes might be a bit less than optimal. If I had another life…