NASA

The Day NASA Went to Space… with a Corned Beef Sandwich

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Astronauts Gus Grissom (foreground), command pilot; and John Young, pilot, are shown inside their Gemini III spacecraft as they prepared for their launch from Cape Kennedy, Florida, on March 23, 1965. (NASA)

Gemini III was supposed to test spacecraft maneuvers and prove America could handle two men in orbit. Instead, it became famous for something far more down-to-earth: a smuggled corned beef sandwich.

Astronaut John Young tucked the deli special into his spacesuit pocket, courtesy of Wally Schirra, and surprised Gus Grissom mid-flight. For a moment, outer space smelled like a New York deli. But the laughter didn’t last — crumbs floated free in zero-G, raising alarms about what could happen if one drifted into the controls.

Congress wasn’t laughing, NASA tightened the rules, and the “space sandwich” went down in history as the snack that changed spaceflight policy.

👉 Want the full bite-by-bite account? Read NASA’s official story here:
https://www.nasa.gov/history/fallout-from-the-unauthorized-gemini-iii-space-sandwich/

Celebrating Artemis and Remembering Apollo

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Marking the Anniversary of Artemis: A New Chapter in Lunar Exploration

Today we commemorate the anniversary of NASA’s Artemis mission—America’s bold return to the Moon. As we look ahead to a new era of exploration, we also honor the legacy that made it possible.

The image shown here is from the historic Apollo 11 mission. It captures astronaut Buzz Aldrin descending the ladder of the Lunar Module “Eagle” on July 20, 1969, moments before becoming the second human to set foot on the Moon. The photograph was taken by mission commander Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the lunar surface.

Artemis is more than a return. It is a launchpad for the future—testing the systems that will eventually take us to Mars, establishing a sustainable lunar presence, and creating new opportunities for scientific discovery and global cooperation.

As members and supporters of the Air & Space Forces Association, we recognize the vision and determination behind every mission. From Apollo to Artemis, we celebrate the people—military and civilian—who make spaceflight possible and push the boundaries of what’s next.

Let Artemis serve as a reminder: Our reach does not end at Earth’s orbit. It stretches across the stars.

Bob Schaefer Brings Apollo 13 to Air Commandos

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Yesterday at Roc’s Firehouse Grille, Bob Schaefer delivered a presentation of his experience, “Apollo 13 … the Rest of the Story,” to a full table of 18 attendees at the Palm Springs AFA 134 Air Commandos Luncheon.

With first-hand aerospace program perspective, Bob shared behind-the-scenes insights into the years of preparation that made the Apollo 13 rescue possible. A great turnout — Thank You, Bob!

You Are Invited This Wednesday April 16

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You’re Invited: AFA 134 Air Commandos Luncheon
Special Guest Speaker – Bob Schaefer
“Apollo 13 … the Rest of the Story”

Join us for a compelling presentation by Bob Schaefer, an aerospace program specialist whose career included key roles supporting NASA missions during the height of the space race. He’ll share a deeper look into the Apollo 13 mission, highlighting the behind-the-scenes preparation that made the rescue possible.

📅 Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
🕦 Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Roc’s Firehouse Grille
36891 Cook Street, Palm Desert, CA 92211

The Air Commandos Luncheon began as a way for AFA members and friends to reconnect following the COVID lockdowns. Held every couple of weeks, it’s an informal gathering for conversation, camaraderie, and lunch ordered from the menu—now with the occasional addition of a guest speaker.

There is no fee to attend—just come and enjoy your own lunch and/or beverage.

All are welcome. No RSVP required.

On This Day in Space! 🚀🌍

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📅 **February 7, 1984** – The world’s first untethered spacewalk.

On this day, **NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless II** became the first person to conduct a spacewalk without a tether, floating freely in the vastness of space.

Equipped with the **Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU)**—a jetpack-like system with gas thrusters—McCandless was able to venture **320 feet away from the Space Shuttle Challenger**, marking a historic moment in human spaceflight.

This daring mission demonstrated new possibilities for satellite servicing, station assembly, and future deep-space exploration.

**A salute to McCandless and all pioneers who push the limits of exploration!** 🛰️🇺🇸

📸: NASA

Planetary Defense

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On Nov. 23, 2021, NASA launched their first planetary defense test mission from Vandenberg’s Space Launch Complex-4E!

The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) impact, successfully changed the asteroid, Dimorphos, motion in space and was the first-ever mission dedicated to investigating and demonstrating one method of asteroid deflection by changing an asteroid’s motion in space. The DART mission shifted an asteroid’s orbit by successfully smashing a spacecraft into the smaller member of the binary asteroid system Didymos! – Vandenberg Space Force Base October 6, 2024

NASA, Lockheed Martin Reveal X-59 Quiet Supersonic Aircraft

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NASA and Lockheed Martin publicly unveil the X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft at a ceremony in Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California. The X-59 is the centerpiece of NASA’s Quesst mission, which seeks to solve one of the major barriers to supersonic flight over land, currently banned in the United States, by making sonic booms quieter. January 12, 2024. Read the full story here.