Space Politics

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Rename NASA Dryden for Armstrong?

April 30, 2007 at 7:21 am · Filed under Congress, NASA

That’s the proposal of Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA), who is drafting legislation that would name the NASA research center at Edwards Air Force Base in California after Neil Armstrong, the Los Angeles Daily News reported Sunday. The name is fitting, since Armstrong worked there for several years in the 1950s and 1960s, flying the X-15 and other research aircraft. The Dryden name would be retained for Western Aeronautical Test Range.

Why the name change? Supporters argue that the name change will help tie the center more closely to space exploration work in the eyes of the public. Also, backers claim that the name change “will inspire young people to get them interested in math and science.” How a name change will do that isn’t elaborated upon in the article.

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7 Comments »

Nemo wrote @ April 30th, 2007 at 3:20 pm

Armstrong being the reclusive, self-effacing, and history-conscious person that he is, I predict:

1) that he’ll decline the honor;
2) that if they rename the center anyway, he might not show up for the ceremony;
3) that if he does show up, the subject of his speech will be Hugh Dryden.

John Lancelot wrote @ May 1st, 2007 at 12:28 pm

What about Chuck Yeager? How come everyone forgets about the General? He deserves the honor in my opinion.

Lurking Lurker wrote @ May 1st, 2007 at 1:43 pm

Absolutely Yeager

Tom wrote @ May 2nd, 2007 at 12:28 am

I third the nomination for Yeager. He made the area famous and was a true pioneer.

Adrasteia wrote @ May 3rd, 2007 at 9:15 am

Arbuckle?

Space Politics » Pressing ahead on renaming NASA Dryden wrote @ August 2nd, 2007 at 12:50 pm

[...] according to the press release. If this development sounds familiar, it’s because Calvert discussed making the name change earlier this year, but only now introduced the corresponding [...]

Aldo wrote @ August 3rd, 2007 at 3:27 pm

Armstrong is a great choice. Most seem to be equating this with Neil and his lunar adventure. But Neil and aeronautics R&D is what this is really all about. Remember the X-15 Program? Neil was integral.
Also, Mr. Armstrong is not quite so reclusive as in prvious years.

Yeager could be a great choice. However, there are circumstances surrounding the the General and his family relationships as to why this is probably best avoided. [His present wife would more than likely demand payment for the use of the name.]

Go with Armstrong.