One degree off
The Caltech alumni newsletter had a note in it today about three Caltech graduates who are or have been in space recently. I read with interest:
3. Three Caltech Grads in Space in 2008
Not one, not two, but three Caltech grads are spending time at the International Space Station this year. In March, Garrett Reisman ('92 MS, '97 PhD ME), and Robert Behnken ('93 MS, '97 PhD ME) traveled to the ISS. At the conclusion of their successful mission, Behnken returned home. Reisman remains in orbit until May, when Gregory Errol Chamitoff ('85 MS AE) and crew will rendezvous at the ISS. Space Shuttle Discovery, Chamitoff's transport to the station, will serve as Reisman's ride back to Earth. Chamitoff will return home in September.
The Garrett Reisman listed was a classmate of mine. I remember he drove an RX7 and had said he was going to be an astronaut. I recall thinking at the time, "Uh huh, sure. You, and the high school classmate of mine who claimed the same."
How very wrong I was. And, how very glad I was that wrong.
How very rare is the person who knows what he wants at a young age, and succeeds in attaining that goal.