[meteorite-list] NASA Awards Moon Rock to Former AstronautStafford

From: Sterling K. Webb <kelly_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon Jul 11 17:08:57 2005
Message-ID: <42D2DFC1.2D51CCC1_at_bhil.com>

Hi,

    "Moon rocks" are considered part of the national heritage, like the
Declaration of Liberty and the Liberty Bell, Mount Rushmore, that green statue
in the harbor at NYC, the national parks, and so forth.
    The fact that "moon rocks" were collected by government employees on the job
is not relevant, really, It's what they were paid to do.
    They are not considered market commodities. They are legally "owned" by the
nation, but for all practical purposes the power of that ownership is vested in
the U.S. government.
    You won't see Yellowstone nor the "Genesis Rock" on eBay anytime soon, I
hope.
    There's that urge to "privatize" that seems to be going around, though. So,
save your millions for the future, big spenders.
    You can buy real authentic "Moon Rock Dust" right now, though, if you have
to have your extra-terrestrial materials delivered by rocket and not just tossed
down onto the planet at random.

Sterling K. Webb
---------------------------------------
Tom Knudson wrote:

> "The awards remain the property of NASA; however, each lunar sample will be on
> long-term loan to the museum or learning institution of the recipient's
> choice"
>
> How generous of them!
>
> Thanks, Tom
> peregrineflier <><
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ron Baalke" <baalke_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>
> To: "Meteorite Mailing List" <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
> Sent: Monday, July 11, 2005 12:48 PM
> Subject: [meteorite-list] NASA Awards Moon Rock to Former Astronaut Stafford
>
> >
> >
> > Sonja Alexander/Doc Mirelson
> > Headquarters, Washington July 11, 2005
> > (Phone: 202/358-1600)
> >
> > RELEASE: 05-179
> >
> > NASA AWARDS MOON ROCK TO FORMER ASTRONAUT STAFFORD
> >
> > Former NASA astronaut Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Stafford, USAF
> > (Ret.) will receive a commemorative moon rock as part of
> > NASA's Ambassador of Exploration program. NASA will present
> > the lunar sample to Stafford at 2 p.m. EDT, Tuesday at the
> > Thomas P. Stafford Air & Space Museum in Weatherford, Okla.
> >
> > The program honors the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo astronauts
> > who made lunar landings from 1969 to 1972. The awards remain
> > the property of NASA; however, each lunar sample will be on
> > long-term loan to the museum or learning institution of the
> > recipient's choice. His sample will be on long-term loan to
> > the Stafford museum in Weatherford.
> >
> > Stafford was part of the Apollo 10 crew that launched May 18,
> > 1969. The mission tested the lunar landing module, while
> > orbiting the moon. it was the final test flight before the
> > historic Apollo 11 lunar landing. Stafford also piloted NASA's
> > Gemini VI mission in 1965 and commanded the Gemini IX mission
> > in 1966.
> >
> > For Stafford museum and event information, call: 580/772-5871;
> > or visit their Web site at:
> >
> > www.staffordairandspacemuseum.com
> >
> > For information about NASA and agency programs on the Internet,
> > visit:
> >
> > http://www.nasa.gov/home/index.html
> >
> >
> > -end-
> >
Received on Mon 11 Jul 2005 05:08:17 PM PDT