Bob Messler, 
Associate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering

 I have four very distinct remembrances of space that space a period of almost 40 years. Each experience, in it's own way, helped shape my life.

First, I remember the announcement that Yuri Gargarin was launched into space in 1961 -- I believe. I was (or was to become -- depending on when the launch occurred, before or after September) a new freshman at RPI about to pursue a dream of becoming an engineer so that I could work to put a man in space! When I heard the announcement, my heart soared and sank at the same time. A man had been sent into space -- but I would not be a part of it!

Next, I remember working at Grumman Aerospace Corporation as a summer student in  1962 -- between my freshman and sophomore years 
at RPI. Three of America's first astronauts had come to check out several different designs for the window configuration on the LEM (Lunar Exploration Module) being designed and built by Grumman. Lt. John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, and James McDivitt each took turns sitting in full-sized plywood mock ups of the LEM -- each so realistic looking you couldn't tell they weren't the real thing -- except that they were open at the top! As hundreds of excited engineers and workers looked on (along with me!), John Glenn stood up in the open cock-pit, turned the padded plywood seat cover over, and signed his name. When he was asked why, he said:  "One day soon I'm going to fly to the moon in one of these. And, when I do, the first thing I'm going to do before the launch is look under the seat for my signature. If it's there, that's the only thing that will stop me from going. I'm not going to fly to the moon in a plywood LEM!" My heart again soared at the chance to soon be a part of the quest to land men on the moon.

Third, I remember being home from graduate school on time, when, late at night I sat with my dad -- an dedicated employee of Grumman for more than 37 years -- watching the first LEM land on the moon -- and Neil Armstrong step out an make his famous statement "One small step for a man; one giant leap for mankind!" For the second time, my heart both soared and sank. Man had landed on the moon. But, again, I wasn't part of it!

And, last, I remember coming into JEC from the walkway from the CII, and heading down the stairwell from the 3rd floor to the 2nd floor near the elevator. In the corner, people were clustered around to watch the launch of the Space Shuttle -- so I paused to marvel again at the magnificent technical and human achievement each of these launches represented. And then, in an instant, the Challenger had exploded -- I knew it before any
words from any announcer! We all stood and literally cried to see seven lives end in an instant. My heart sank lower than it ever had before.

But, we're back!