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Random Ramjet Ramblings

Various thoughts and musings that tumble from my brain onto Ye Olde Interwebbes.
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Countdown

Countdown

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

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-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:
Words on a Chalkboard

Words on a Chalkboard

35 years ago, I saw two faded words on a chalkboard. They influenced the rest of my NASA career.

The Bunny Party

The Bunny Party

by | Sep 9, 2019 | Family

Our grandson Cole is not quite 3, but his imagination and his memory are both vast! When we visited earlier this year, he got all of his stuffed animals together in his play room and we had a pretend party for everyone. And, the last time Cole and his Mommy and Daddy...
It’s going to be a girl!

It’s going to be a girl!

by | Jul 15, 2019 | Family

It’s (going to be) a GIRL! We had the big gender reveal party for Melanie and Jarrett’s baby (due in November!).  They set up some Tannerite and colored powder to make the big announcement. It’s a girl! Enjoy! ? And now the waiting game begins for...
Two Years!

Two Years!

by | Feb 22, 2019 | Family, Personal

Two Years Grandpa’s little buddy turns 2! Suddenly… Two. Wow. This little guy. My Pride-and-Joy. He’s two. … and with every picture, video, and visit, continues to remind me of his daddy at that age. He’s the spitting image of 26 years...
One Year

One Year

by | Jan 8, 2018 | Family, Personal

One Year Grandpa’s Little Buddy turns 1!! My how time flies! It was just a year ago that we had been enjoying our first moments with our little Cole! Suddenly, after visits, vacations, and lots of greatly appreciated Snaps, pictures, movies, and Facebook posts...
The First Time…

The First Time…

by | Jan 3, 2017 | Family, Personal

There are a number of “First Times” in a person’s life that really stand out… … a first crush … a first date … a first kiss … a first love Everyone who’s ever been a parent knows that the first time you see your...
Godspeed Grandpa

Godspeed Grandpa

by | Oct 27, 2016 | Family

The last few weeks have been tough, as Grandpa had a couple of strokes, a brief rally then peacefully passed away on Friday, October 21, 2016. I was honored to have been one of his primary care providers over the past five years, along with my Uncle.  Grandpa and I...