Women will call the shots during shuttle mission

[Judi Lynn]

Source: CNN/AP

October 22, 2007 -- Updated 1757 GMT (0157 HKT)
Women will call the shots during shuttle mission


CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) -- A giant leap is about to be made for womankind.

When space shuttle Discovery blasts off Tuesday, a woman will be sitting in the commander's seat. And up at the international space station, a female skipper will be waiting to greet her.

It will be the first time in the 50-year history of spaceflight that two women are in charge of two spacecraft at the same time.

This is no public relations gimmick cooked up by NASA. It's coincidence, which pleases shuttle commander Pamela Melroy and station commander Peggy Whitson.

"To me, that's one of the best parts about it," said Melroy, a retired Air Force colonel who will be only the second woman to command a space shuttle flight. "This is not something that was planned or orchestrated in any way."



Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/10/22/space.shuttle.women.ap/index.html

[Adsos Letter]

1. As far as I can tell...

...women have been calling the shots from the beginning of time...'round this house, anyway... :D

[kimmylavin]

2. That IS one of the best parts about it.

Its not, "We've got to get two women up there."
Its "Who are the next two qualified astronauts in the rotation?"

That's pretty cool! :)

[Swamp Rat]

3. Love it!!

:patriot:

[Lisa]

4. puts me in mind of a certain Judith Merril short story

I won't say any more, so as not to spoil it ... but those who've already read it will probably see the connection!

[Poll_Blind]

5. This is great! Thanks for posting the article. n/t

PB

[MilesColtrane]

6. Hope they remember to turn the shuttle's left turn blinker off.

:hide:

(Only teasing. I'm sure Commanders Melroy and Whitson are exceptional astronauts.)

[Lisa]

7. well, I'm sure they won't leave the seat belts hanging out under the doors!

Like certain gentlemen I've seen cruising the streets of my town.