Navy Announces Research Vessel to be Named in Honor of Neil

[TimothyC]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 771-12
September 24, 2012

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today that the first Armstrong-class Auxiliary General Oceanographic Research (AGOR) ship will be named Neil Armstrong.

Mabus named the future R/V Neil Armstrong (AGOR 27) to honor the memory of Neil Armstrong, best known for being the first man to walk on the moon. Armstrong was an aeronautics pioneer and explorer for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) serving as an engineer, test pilot, astronaut and administrator. Armstrong also served as a naval aviator flying nearly 80 combat missions during the Korean War.

"Neil Armstrong rightly belongs to the ages as the man who first walked on the moon. While he was a true pioneer of space exploration and science, he was also a combat-proven naval aviator," said Mabus. “Naming this class of ships and this vessel after Neil Armstrong honors the memory of an extraordinary individual, but more importantly, it reminds us all to embrace the challenges of exploration and to never stop discovering.”

Armstrong’s widow, Carol, will serve as the ship’s sponsor.

The Armstrong-class AGOR ship will be a modern oceanographic research platform equipped with acoustic equipment capable of mapping the deepest parts of the oceans, and modular on-board laboratories that will provide the flexibility to meet a wide variety of oceanographic research challenges. These make them capable of supporting a wide range of oceanographic research activities conducted by academic institutions and national laboratories. Additionally, the research vessel will be outfitted with multi-drive, low-voltage diesel electric propulsion systems. This upgraded system will maintain engine efficiency while lowering maintenance and fuel costs.

Armstrong-class AGOR ships will be 238 feet in length, have a beam length of 50 feet, and operate at more than 12 knots. AGOR 27 is currently under construction by Dakota Creek Industries, Inc. in Anacortes, Wash.

Media may direct queries to the Navy Office of Information at 703-697-5342. For more news from secretary of the Navy public affairs, visit www.navy.mil/SECNAV .

For more information about Auxiliary General Oceanographic Research ships contact the Office of Naval Research public affairs at 703-696-5031 or visit www.onr.navy.mil

While a DDG wouldn't have been out of line (famous naval officer, with combat time) the AGOR is decidedly non-political, which is why I suspect it was selected. It's still nice to see.

[Losonti Tokash]

It might also be because he is chiefly remembered for his contributions to the cause of science, rather than his achievements in warfighting. Given his usual behavior avoiding this sort of thing while alive I doubt this is something he'd want, but it's far more appropriate than a destroyer.

[PeZook]

Yeah, naming an exploration ship in honor of the most famous explorer in the history of mankind seems damn appropriate

[fgalkin]

Yeah, naming an exploration ship in honor of the most famous explorer in the history of mankind seems damn appropriate

You mean, Christopher Columbus?

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

[PeZook]

Pffft. A guy who got lost on his way to India? He's got nothing on Armstrong!

But more seriously, Magellan would be a better comparison, since his trip was a similar technological challenge at the time.

[Captain Seafort]

But more seriously, Magellan would be a better comparison, since his trip was a similar technological challenge at the time.

Cook's probably a better comparison, as I'd rate Magellan above Armstrong. Apollo 11 knew where it was going, and roughly what it would find when it got there. Magellan didn't.

[atg]

On the other hand the Apollo 11 crew were being fired out of earth's atmosphere on a trail of exploding chemical fuel, to be hurled through an airless void to a body in space with no air, water, or food. Hope that they could land without running out of fuel, take off then dock with a craft 380,000km from earth, hope the engines fire right so their flight path intercepts earth in the right manner and then hope they don't burn up on re-entry. A single fault could consign them to a quick death by explosion, fire, or decompression. Or a slow death of asphyxiation.

That takes some serious balls.

[Dr. Trainwreck]

Uhh, I think I side with Seafort. Magellan's trip was unpredecented, and a huge number of people (by the era's standards) worked on the preparation. On par with Armstrong. A lot of new ideas and equipment were made, and old ones massively improved to allow for such a journey. That's up with Armstrong, too. Both journeys also resulted in the expansion of human knowledge (okay, some knowledge was less than scientific). But Magellan only knew he had to circumnavigate the world, with no idea what would happen in between, while Armstrong knew roughly what had to be done and what was to happen. So, yeah, one up on Neil. Taking to space is different than taking to the ocean, but regarding each era and technological level, I'd say it took the same amount of balls. The number of balls needed for both achievements is irrational, and this is something you should think of before you try to fuck with Earth, extraterrestial overlords.

[weemadando]

Also, read up on the details of what Magellan's journey went through.

Hardships has never been more of an understatement.

It's amazing that ANYONE survived that trip, let alone as many as actually did

[Thanas]

Indeed. Magellan >>>>>>>> Armstrong.

[Stark]

If different guys had been on the rocket, would it have made any difference? Contrast with simply keeping ships in company on a day to day basis in literally the middle of nowhere.

[Sea Skimmer]

The USN already had USS Triton more or less, except for the departure, replicate Magellans voyage in 1960, making the trip completely submerged on nuclear power. They even made a medal for the trip and gave it to the Spanish. Honor served for that colonial Spanish bastard who won a huge concession for himself before departing. Armstrong at least wasn't in it for the money or fame or naming rocks after himself. The real accomplishment of Magellan anyway was getting the expedition funded and organized. I don't really see what he ever did on the voyage that another one of many competent Spanish captains could not have. The Spanish ran convoys all over the place, its kind a follow the leader thing.

[Thanas]

If different guys had been on the rocket, would it have made any difference? Contrast with simply keeping ships in company on a day to day basis in literally the middle of nowhere.

Also, the genius displayed by Magellan was not just daring. It was also scientific, administrative, naval, diplomatic and charismatic genius. Not only did he keep those very small ships together, he also managed not to have his fleet captured/sunk by the hostile powers of the day, he managed to not have his guys starve etc.

[Stark]

That is a truly remarkable post, Skimbo. NUKLUER SUB DID IT LOL! US ran capsules all around space, it was a follow the launch schedule kind of thing.

[Thanas]

I don't really see what he ever did on the voyage that another one of many competent Spanish captains could not have.

I don't really see what Armstrong ever did on the voyage that another of many competent American astronauts could not have.

[Stark]

Lets not give patriots the idea anyone is reducing Armstrong's achievement, any more than Chuck Yeager's or any other man who sat on top of a huge national project. But its not like he planned, organised, funded, schemed, and controlled the project. Huge projects just don't work that way.

[Sea Skimmer]

That is a truly remarkable post, Skimbo. NUKLUER SUB DID IT LOL! US ran capsules all around space, it was a follow the launch schedule kind of thing.

Its hardly more remarkable from people responding to a post about fame by arguing details of an accomplishment. If fame were linked to that the global entertainment industry sure would be a lot different just for starters. Who was the guy who took command of Magellans voyage after he was dead and got everyone home? Anyone know that one without looking it up? Kind of important and all.

I don't really see what Armstrong ever did on the voyage that another of many competent American astronauts could not have.

Neither do I, but fuck if it matters what some Spanish guy did hundreds of years before the US even existed as far as USN naming policies go. Spain has its own navy to name for them. I'd rather the ship, and all US naval vessels, be named for past ships or men killed in recent wars.

Considering more then 75% of Magellans ships and men were lost, I question the logic of claiming his men didn't starve or ships were kept together as his great accomplishment. Yeah, easy to do all that once only one is left and supplies only have to support the survivors!

[Thanas]

That is a truly remarkable post, Skimbo. NUKLUER SUB DID IT LOL! US ran capsules all around space, it was a follow the launch schedule kind of thing.

Its hardly more remarkable from people responding to a post about fame by arguing details of an accomplishment. If fame were linked to that the global entertainment industry sure would be a lot different just for starters. Who was the guy who took command of Magellans voyage after he was dead and got everyone home? Anyone know that one without looking it up? Kind of important and all.

Elcano. Read a moving account of his return when I was in 8th grade.

[Stark]

Thanas, Skimbob is upset because he thinks people are saying the USN should name a ship after Magellan. I'm not sure he disputes that Magellan is a 'greater explorer' or whatever, he's just patriotism knee-jerking.

[Sea Skimmer]

Na I'm more just bemused. Armstrong probably is vastly more famous in modern history. In all of history, Magellan certainly has more then a little stiff competition from Columbus. Columbus kind of changed the entire globe and all. None of this has anything to do with the thread topic. But it is funny to see people calling a man a genius at sea for getting almost everyone he led killed.

[fgalkin]

Hey, I originally brought up Columbus in response to the claim that Armstrong is the Most Famous Explorer Ever (which is absurd- I bet half the people in Russia would name Gagarin and wouldn't have a clue as to who Armstrong is, but everyone knows Columbus). Somehow, that turned into "Columbus isn't good enough, we need MAGELLAN." Thus, missing the original point entirely.

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

[Sea Skimmer]

And if this thread was to have any point related to the article or being a news topic at all, it ought to have been how naming a ship after Armstrong goes completely against what we knew of him in his later years, which was a man unhappy at worst and indifferent at best with his fame. But that would have been too relevant.

[fgalkin]

And if this thread was to have any point related to the article or being a news topic at all, it ought to have been how naming a ship after Armstrong goes completely against what we knew of him in his later years, which was a man unhappy at worst and indifferent at best with his fame. But that would have been too relevant.

If he didn't want fame, what the hell was he doing getting off first? What did he think would happen? People would just forget the first man on the Moon?

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

[Stark]

I can't even imagine what went through their heads while they waited after landing. I'm sure Armstrong relived it for the rest of his life.

And Magellan IS better than Columbus. Needs an ep of Deadliest Warrior to prove it!

[Sea Skimmer]

If he didn't want fame, what the hell was he doing getting off first? What did he think would happen? People would just forget the first man on the Moon?

Generally you have to become famous to realize you don't like it? Also it wasn't specifically his choice, NASA superiors decided he would exit first because his the seating arrangement in the lander made it easier, though it was possible that either man might have gone first with some squeezing. The controls at each seat were not interchangeable, only one had the lander pilot controls.