Astronaut Fernando 'Frank' Caldeiro passes away

[Orbinaut Pete]

NASA Astronaut Fernando ‘Frank’ Caldeiro passed away on October 3, 2009 after a two and a half year battle with brain cancer.

http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?wcd=145117

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Very sad that he never got the chance to fly in space.

My thoughts are with him & his family.

 

[Al81]

May he Rest In Peace. No more pain

 

[jinglesassy]

was he ever assigned to a mission?

 

[SiberianTiger]

Did he ever get Astronaut's wings from the NASA? BTW, what is the definition of an astronaut in its pure sense? Someone who completes the astronaut's training, someone who's even been assigned to a mission or someone who actually flew one?

It's much simpler in Russia with the Cosmonauts: everyone who completes the training and is given an official paper, is one.

 

[Ghostrider]

Two and half year... Astronaut's wings or not, he was certainly a great fighter and accomplished a lot in his life. Feels like the classic "immigrant makes the American dream come true", only he made it real.

 

[insanity]

Did he ever get Astronaut's wings from the NASA? BTW, what is the definition of an astronaut in its pure sense?

I think Astronauts are defined by anyone who crosses 100km and has completed their training.

 

[Urwumpe]

You need to exceed 85 km for getting the golden astronaut pin, but you are already awarded the silver pin for passing basic astronaut training at NASA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronaut_Badge

Since he is the first Argentinian astronaut, he would have the Civilian astronaut status there. Sad that he didn't fly, does anybody know who is his backup from Argentina?

 

[Moonwalker]

It's those moments / news when I always start to think that there is absolutely no formula, no universal remedy not to get cancer / remain healthy all the time. Even as an astronaut, when you seem to be an absolutely fit and healthy person, it doesn't actually mean anything. It's pure fate, and I think basically genetically determined.

Try to enjoy every seond of your life, even if your mood tries to prevent this temporarily!

RIP Mr. Caldeiro