Man accused of stealing Sally Ride's flight suit

[Hotdog]

Old news, but news to me. Thought I'd pass it along.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... 27439.html

[bnaivar]

I hadn't heard that one. Thanks Hotdog!

[SpaceCanada]

That's new to me too. I thought astronauts got to keep their flight suits; at least they do in Canada. (According to Chris Hadfield.)

[Boomerang]

I believe astronauts do get to keep atleast one of their flight suits just based on the fact one of Hoot Gibsons was auctioned last year at th space camp hall of fame dinner. However there is something else i dont think most of you know or have forgotten it.

In the 1980's prior to challenger their were 2 types of flight suits. The dark blue suits still worn on the ground by astronauts today were in use in those days as well. Infact often times you will see crews wearing them in training atleast the career astronauts aka pilots and mission specialists. These were only worn on the ground and flying T-38 aircraft much as they are today.

the second type was the powder blue suits that space camp had for so many years. From pictures i have seen these were primarily used for public appearances, crew photos and for launch and entry. You would often see payload specialist wearing them for the same activities as the above flight suit due to the fact payload specialists generally didn't join NASA till they were needed for a specific flight and once the flight was done with few exceptions were gone. In flight clothing was also the same color for pants, shorts, and a jacket that was available as well for crew wear.

The flight suits i have seen retired astronauts wear or have in appearances have always been the dark blue ones. I'm not sure but light blue ones may have only been issued for the flight and leading up to it. The one pictured in the article is the light blue style and likely was kept by NASA as a history piece. Likely Ride kept her dark blue style suit but not the light blue ones.

[Hotdog]

Boomerang is absolutely correct. And the flight suit in question WAS the one worn by Ms. Ride in space, the cobalt blue one, and not the royal blue T-38 flight suit.