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Gidday Fred,

I have a copy of a book entitled: "Space Navigation Handbook" (NAVPERS
92988). It was kindly given to me by one of the list members in response to
a question I posed about space navigation several years ago.  Is this the
one you are referring to?

Weems figures prominently in this one too.

What is interesting about Weems, is that he was an airman, yet his
innovations seem to have done much to further the practice of marine
navigation. I say "interesting" because initially, air navigation techniques
appear to have been borrowed and then modified from the marine field.

I am a keen admirer of Weems (and of the great US Navy). I had the pleasure
of knowing some of his former associates and colleagues -- most of whom has
passed away -- however, I never had the honour of meeting the man himself.
He died about 4 years before I even learned  how to use a sextant. Story of
my life: always missing the boat!

I'm a contrarian. I take great pride in not knowing the names or the faces
of the vacuous Hollywood non-entities and the prima donnas of the sports
fields, upon whom the public, for reasons which baffle me, heap praise and
adulation. I wouldn't walk across the street to meet a movie star or or
so-called sports hero, but I damn well would have crossed a stormy strait in
a bathtub to meet Commander P.V.H. Weems and his contemporaries. They just
don't make 'em like that anymore.

Robert


----- Original Message -----
From: "Fred Hebard" 
To: 
Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 8:50 AM
Subject: Re: PVH Weems. Was Sidereal Hour Angle vs. Right Ascension


> Robert,
>
> If you can get a copy of the Navy's booklet on space navigation (as in
> rocketships to the moon, etc), it is fascinating to read for how it was
> put together, as well as for the proposed techniques.  It was developed
> by Weems in the late 50s, early 60s, with the help of smart, freshly
> minted officers from naval reserve officer training programs at various
> civilian universities around the country.
>
> Fred
>

   

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