I took this image on my way to Everest Base Camp where I lived for a month. I am not exactly sure of the peak’s name. It was outside of Lobuche. This is not me in the picture – but I had been standing in that precise spot several minutes earlier and had turned to take a picture – and my echoed self was still there. That part of me is still there. Namaste.
I took this image on my way to Everest Base Camp where I lived for a month. I am not exactly sure of the peak’s name. It was outside of Lobuche. This is not me in the picture – but I had been standing in that precise spot several minutes earlier and had turned to take a picture – and my echoed self was still there. That part of me is still there. Namaste.

Keith’s note: I just had a strange exchange with another space-related media outlet. A rather nice, talented person. I am supposed to be retired. Indeed I was going to turn NASAWatch off this Spring since I am simply tired of doing this thankless task after 30 years. Then the current RIF disaster at NASA unfolded and – well – deja vu allover again – I guess there is still a need. I run this thing 100% out of my own pocket on a fixed income. Again, I am RETIRED. Yet this other publication wanted me to dig up and share sources with them so they can write stories (and make money). I will keep doing this as long as I get thank-you comments from y’all. But I’d much rather be climbing in the mountains with long-suffering Mrs. NASAWatch and writing my apolitical Astrobiology book. I am simply trying to help. Help me do that – but please don’t try and take undue advantage of that interest. FWIW this is increasingly where my mind is at – and I go there in my mind every day now to escape the gathering storm: “My Star Trek Episode at Everest ” – from 2009. Ad Astra y’all.

Biologist, Explorers Club Fellow, ex-NASA Space Biologist and Payload integrator, Editor of NASAWatch.com and Astrobiology.com, Lapsed climber, Explorer, Synaesthete, Former Challenger Center board member...

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16 Comments

  1. You and might not always see eye to eye, but I always find your perspective interesting and your articles worth a read. I appreciate the desire to put things aside, and you have to do what’s best for you. But know you have at least one faithful reader out here.

  2. I’ve been an intermittent reader for years and your posts have circulated in the office a few times. These last few months have been confusing and your NASA perspective is appreciated and a valuable resource for information and stories that don’t always make the headlines. Thank you.

  4. Your contributions are appreciated. Also retired & run a similar, if smaller, effort in another domain – also 100% at my expense.

    If Mr./Ms. Talented made me a similar request and was trustworthy, I’d ask for their financials and suggest a lucrative formal revenue “sharing” deal. (50% of theirs for 100% [$0] of mine.) As long as I’d be doing the work anyway, wouldn’t hurt to offset the costs….and send a message. Fair’s fair.

    (I’m not sure if I’m replacing a server – in normal times, barely affordable. I’ve made it clear to the vendor that if the delivery date oscillations go past the Trump Tariffs, the deal is off & e-bay parts scrounging is on… the chaos is everywhere.)

    You can’t take money or appreciation with you. Much as you’d be missed, Mrs. NASAWatch, the mountains & the book can’t wait forever. And you can’t help others if you don’t take care of yourself.

    Whenever you escape, you’ve made a difference that you should be proud of.

  5. You made a difference. I know that crew is alive today because of what you exposed.
    NASAWATCH – keeping them honest for 30 years.

  6. I’ve been a regular reader for 25 years. NASAWatch was recommended to me by a leader in my field, who was one of the most significant people shaping my career.

    You’ve made a huge difference to a lot of people. There are many times when we got little or no information from our management, and you helped us navigate uncertain times again and again. To many of us, your impact has been substantial and heroic.

  7. Thanks for all you do! I’ve been reading for at least 20 years now, and it seems you still have some sources and connections that the new generation of space reporters lack.

    I miss the lively informative discussions of the past with folks like Michael Spencer, Dan Woodard, Frank Crary, etc., but still come by regularly to check your take on things.

    Your work is definitely appreciated.

  8. Electrical engineer in Austin here.

    I just found this site, and I have a lot of catch-up reading to do. I love your writing style and your clear commitment to the facts. Do what you need to do. You have a loyal reader here for as long as you choose to write.

    And if you have a place I can throw in a bit for some hosting costs from time to time, I’d love to do that too.

  9. Thanks Keith for sticking to it, through thick and thin. We’ll miss you when NasaWatch is gone.

    Have you considered selling NasaWatch?

  10. Thanks for staying at the console for one more mission. Also as a retired guy that has moved on to other varied pursuits, I still read NASA Watch as my only source of inside information. Even the several contacts I have left don’t offer much, not sure why so little. While I have little – and I mean very little – emotional involvement with any of the things I worked on in my 35 years at NASA (other than hoping my contractor team whom I worked with for 20 years lands safely somewhere) you’ve provided me with just enough to keep my curiosity satisfied. As others have mentioned, we may have tussled over the years on things and I haven’t always agreed with you, I have always valued the sometimes sharp feedback. As the saying goes, the truth hurts sometimes. So thank you for that! I came to NASA HQ from Glenn when you first started this thing and I’ll go out with you when this latest change has run its course.

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