Gene J. Mikulka Profile picture
Founded @talkingspace, Immersed in spaceflight since Apollo. Podcaster, Space Advocate, Lovebird Dad, Parrot & House Rabbit supporter. Opinions = mine.

Nov 8, 2021, 9 tweets

#SpaceForEveryone - @cboldenjr talking about how he got here and getting in as a member of the NASA Family. I was most proud to have served under the 1st black president, Would like to see a female NASA Admin.

Never dreamed of flying in space, went through life taking advantage of the opportunities presented to me. Was embarrassed about applying to become an astronaut by Ron McNair.

Bolden said that McNair asked him if Bolden was going to apply he said no because they'ed never pick me. McNair responded that is the most stupid thing I've ever heard. Said that he was going to apply and just have a good time in Houston. George Abbey called after & offered it.

On commercial cargo, tipping the hat to Mike Griffin for starting COTS, then Bolden started Commercial Crew, but not until 2015 for various reasons in Congress. Shuttle was first though Ushered crew diversity and crew size & research.

Willaim Shatner kind of upstaged me about flying an older crew member but I still want to fly again to add another data point. Commercial has allowed us to recapture human emotion We did that with Shuttle, Apollo ect but it was "just another flight"

Loved the #Inspiration4 flight, I still think were some time away before space is open to all comers we gave to get the cost down, that when everyone will have the opportunity to go to space.

Q: Best Job? A: Best Job was captan USMC A6 Pilot. I never expected to get any higher in the USMC! To be a Gunnery Sergent or a Captain, thats were you want to be. So I thought I had arrived. Beig the NASA Admin gave an opportunity to give back a lot.

Pushing for ANSA to be the best place to work in the federal government, That in itself is because we're the diverse place to work in the government not just because of race or gender but because of the diversity of ideas.

On JWST - It showed a constancy of purpose, that started long before me, some of the things that will fly in the future started under me, when I think back on Ingenuity flying my first thought when it was pitched was "Who came up with that dumb idea?" So be careful!

Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.

A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.

Keep scrolling