-balettiedotcom-

Random Ramjet Ramblings

Various thoughts and musings that tumble from my brain onto Ye Olde Interwebbes.
Go. Read. Comment.
Last 4 blog posts:
50 Years

50 Years

The Artemis I mission occurred 50 years after Apollo 17. What will it take to not have this happen again?

Becoming Santa

Becoming Santa

Santa Claus. Father Christmas. Kris Kringle. St. Nicholas. Papa Noel. Me.

Select the button to go straight to the main photo album or choose one of the categories below.
-photos.balettie.com-

Vacation Photos

Our Family

Random photos

Family Events

Texas Football

Lake Travis

-THE TRENCH-
FLIGHT DYNAMICS OFFICER
MISSION CONTROL
BLOG

-THE TRENCH-

The space exploration advocacy website of Roger Balettie, former Flight Dynamics Officer in NASA’s Space Shuttle Mission Control Center.

Select a menu tab to the left for detailed links or one of the main sections below:

FLIGHT DYNAMICS OFFICER

The Flight Dynamics Officer (FDO, pronounced “fido”) is a Flight Controller in the Mission Control Center responsible for the overall trajectory, or flight path, of the Space Shuttle and all related payloads or other space-bound vehicles associated with the Shuttle.

Read about the:

MISSION CONTROL

"Houston… Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."

Since 1965, the Mission Control Center (MCC) has been the nerve center for America’s manned space program.

-THE TRENCH- blog

Space- and NASA-based blog entries.

Last 3 blog posts:
50 Years

50 Years

The Artemis I mission occurred 50 years after Apollo 17. What will it take to not have this happen again?

Countdown

Countdown

It’s been 40 years since the launch of STS-1, and the excitement of that day never faded.

Becoming Santa

Becoming Santa

by | Jan 13, 2022 | Family, Personal

Santa Claus Father Christmas Kris Kringle St. Nicholas Papa Noel Me Each year at Christmas, we tend to go a bit nuts with decorations both inside and outside of the house.  Kathy has dubbed our front yard a “Griswoldian” light display (after – of...
Welcome Miss Madi!

Welcome Miss Madi!

by | Jul 9, 2021 | Family

Welcome Miss Madi! Grandpa’s Little Angel, Madilyn Rose, was born on June 8, 2021. She’s an absolute little doll, and Andrew, Liz, and new big brother Cole are all so very thrilled. Grandma Bunny and Grandpa (and all of Madi’s grandparents, aunts,...
Pumpkin Princess

Pumpkin Princess

by | Oct 12, 2020 | Family

Grandma Bunny and Grandpa got to spend a fun weekend with Shiloh (and her parents) before her first Halloween! This included a fun visit to the zoo and Shiloh’s first Pumpkin Patch experience!  Of course – between Grandpa’s camera and the cell phones...
Darth Cole Turns Three!

Darth Cole Turns Three!

by | Dec 30, 2019 | Family, Personal

Another year goes by, and Grandpa’s little buddy is now THREE! It’s been a fun year watching him grow and see all of his progress. We’ve had fun visiting him and his parents, and starting fun traditions like the “Bunny Party” and his...
Oh Deer! SHE’S HERE!

Oh Deer! SHE’S HERE!

by | Nov 25, 2019 | Family

Grandpa’s little princess made her appearance last week, and she (along with Mommy and Daddy) was surrounded and supported by all of her grandparents and other friends and family. Mommy, Daddy, and Shiloh are now home for the holidays and ready to start their...
Oh Deer! She’s almost here!

Oh Deer! She’s almost here!

by | Oct 7, 2019 | Family

Oh Deer! Baby showers have become “quite the event” these days, and Grandpa’s (soon to be here) little princess was not going to miss out on one of her own!  Shiloh’s mommy, Grandma Bunny, Aunties Liz, Patti, LeeLee, and DeeDee, Uncle Steve,...