Vladimir Putin Likes Charlie Bolden
The former head of NASA awarded the Order of friendship, Russia News Today
“The former head of NASA, Charles Bolden awarded the Russian Order of friendship for contribution to development of cooperation of Russia and USA in space, the corresponding decree of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin published on the official Internet portal of legal information.”
Order of Friendship
“The Order of Friendship (Russian: ????? ??????, Orden Druzhby) is a state decoration of the Russian Federation established by Boris Yeltsin by presidential decree 442 of March 2, 1994[1] to reward foreign nationals whose work, deeds and efforts have been aimed at the betterment of relations with the Russian Federation and its people.”
– Rex Tillerson, U.S. Secretary of State under President Donald Trump, and former CEO of ExxonMobil.
Photo they used has two banners on the Crawler, “We Made History Columbia” and “We Made History Challenger.” A very strange image, is it real?
I think there was a banner for all five orbiters. Directly behind Bolden, slightly left, you can make out pieces of “We Made History Atlantis”, and hints of two other banners under the Columbia/Challenger banners, suggesting Discovery/Endeavour’s banners. I assume it was part of the retirement ceremony for the orbiters. Still, poor taste phrasing on those two.
Edit: Thanks, Steve.
Edit: Adding the photo in question so people don’t have to click through to the article:
https://chelorg.com/wp-cont…
The photo was taken during the announcement by Bolden of which cities the remaining Shuttles would retire to. The announcement ceremony was on April 12th, 2011, the 30th anniversary of the first Shuttle launch. The ceremony took place in front of OPF-1 where Atlantis was being prepared for its final flight three months later. Part of the announcement that day was that Atlantis would remain at KSC after its final flight.
Bob Crippen is on the far right in the photo. Bob Cabana on the left. Also on the podium are vehicle manager Mike Parrish and astronaut Janet Kavandi, who is now the director of Glenn Research Center.
Makes me think: “Vlad hearts Charlie” Ouuuuch, that’ll leave a mark.
(Not the same, but it still reminds me of when Lindbergh received the German Service Cross from Herman Goering … on behalf of Adolf H)