Astronaut Buzz Aldrin Medically Evacuated From South Pole
American astronaut Buzz Aldrin has been medically evacuated from the South Pole, according to the National Science Foundation and a private tourism group.
Aldrin, 86, was visiting Antarctica when "his condition deteriorated," according to White Desert, which organizes luxury tourism trips to the icy continent. The group said Aldrin was evacuated on the first available flight out of the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station to the McMurdo Station on the Antarctic coast under the care of a doctor with the U.S. Antarctic Program.
He is in stable condition, White Desert said.
The National Science Foundation provided the flight for Aldrin, who it described as an "ailing visitor." Aldrin will be flown to New Zealand next, the NSF said.
Earlier in the week, the legendary astronaut posted photos of himself preparing for his trip to Antarctica.
By all accounts Buzz is a real deal class act, and now in his old age an even more inspirational figure then when he walked on the moon...I'm very glad to see it looks like he's going to recover...
Of course on this board I'm fully expecting some pole-up-the-butt sour puss to post something like:
"What did that old fool think he was doing going to Antarctica at his age? He's endangered the people who had to save him, he should be ashamed of himself"...
Re: Godspeed Colonel Aldrin...
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 4:25 pm
by Big RR
I wish him well too Jim; and as for going to Antarctica at his age--more power to him. This was not a climb of Mount Everest, it was a luxury tour of the continent which any reasonably healthy person should have been able to complete. Yes, he got ill, but that happens even to 25 year olds. I sincerely doubt his "rescue" endangered anyone--he appears to have been evacuated on a regular (charter, I presume) flight when there was room. He gives me hope that I might get there too one day, even in my 80s.
Re: Godspeed Colonel Aldrin...
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 6:43 pm
by Bicycle Bill
Going to Antarctica for a tour? Bullshit.
Top-secret training for a proposed landing on the ice planet of Hoth, I'd say. He's trying to join up with the rebels against the new Dark Lord of the Sith, Tak See Vader.
-"BB"-
Godspeed Colonel Aldrin...
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 7:32 pm
by RayThom
WTF: What did that old fool think he was doing going to Antarctica at his age? He's endangered the people who had to save him, he should be ashamed of himself.
The old fart should have stayed on the moon.
Re: Godspeed Colonel Aldrin...
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 8:02 pm
by Sue U
You can watch the whole thing for context, or you can just go right to the payoff at about 1:20.
Re: Godspeed Colonel Aldrin...
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 9:55 pm
by Lord Jim
I think Strop may have posted that a while back, but it was well worth seeing again...
You don't fuck with Buzz...
Re: Godspeed Colonel Aldrin...
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 10:25 pm
by Gob
Sue U wrote:You can watch the whole thing for context, or you can just go right to the payoff at about 1:20.
when "his condition deteriorated," according to White Desert, which organizes luxury tourism trips to the icy continent. The group said Aldrin was evacuated on the first available flight out of the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station to the McMurdo Station on the Antarctic coast under the care of a doctor with the U.S. Antarctic Program.
White Desert said.
