posted 06-04-2007 04:49 PM
Astronaut James Reilly is reported to be bringing an Irish 'Tricolour' flag to the ISS this week in honour of his grandparents.
Although I believe a few previous Shuttle flyers had dual citizenship - so the first 'Irishman' has probably already unofficially flown - is this the first time that a NASA astronaut has acknowledge his Irish heritage in this symbolic way?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-04-2007 05:02 PM
There have been Irish flags carried on previous flights, on behalf of the astronauts on-board. For example, there were 20 Irish flags carried on STS-112 and 10 flown on STS-121.
As part of our interview with Reilly (the product of which will be published next week on collectSPACE after he and his crewmates are safely in space), he said that the Irish flag he is carrying also flew with him on STS-104.
Of course, the most famous example of Irish pride in space may be by Jim Irwin, who flew covers with shamrocks on them aboard Apollo 15.
Rick Boos Member
Posts: 851 From: Celina, Ohio Registered: Feb 2000
posted 06-04-2007 11:31 PM
As a side note Jim Irwin was even born on Saint Patrick's day. Also Cosmonaut Valery Tokarev flew shamrocks aboard the ISS and they are being sold on e-bay.
KSCartist Member
Posts: 2896 From: Titusville, FL USA Registered: Feb 2005
posted 06-05-2007 07:03 AM
And don't forget that fine Irish lad Bryan O'Connor. Who I understand actually has dual citizenship from the good ol' USA and the Emerald Isle itself.
dom Member
Posts: 855 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 11-06-2007 03:29 PM
Some Irish newspapers today carry a nice little story explaining way the song "Danny Boy" was played when astronaut Daniel Tani officially started his stint on the ISS.
Apparently the Japanese-American astronaut had met his wife - Jane Egan - on a golfing trip to Cork, Ireland.
So the Bing Crosby version of the song was played to celebrate that fact and wasn't just a pun on his name.
Is this the world's first Japanese-American-Irish-Golf-Spaceflight story?
dom Member
Posts: 855 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 11-18-2007 06:44 AM
Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins is listed on the Irish Prime Minister's official website as the "first Irishman in space" as fact No. 46.
That he shares his name with one of Ireland's most famous leaders is a good sign to his strong heritage but I'm wondering if Collins (the astronaut!) has ever mentioned any close connections with Ireland in his books etc?