Mang NOT seen hitchhiking at Kenedy Space Centre.

STS-119 launched yesterday at sunset on a mission to bring a new solar array to the International Space Station.

Rumors persist that Mang, a well known bat, hitched a ride on the orbiter after his recent return from space where he was piloting a space telescope. Despite evidence including photos, here this was not Mang but another bat named Brian (according to Dr Ian O'Neill).

Also, Brian clearly was not a Scout as can be seen from the lack of protective gear for either the journey or the last minute escape.

Either way, we suspect that Brian may have Gone Home (i.e. he's an ex-bat)  if he didn't get away well before launch.

Good luck Brian, where ever you are!

Update:  It seems that Brian indeed has gone home.  Reports indicate that he did not fly away, was not frozen, and was observed clinging to the external fuel tank of the orbiter as it lifted from the pad. It is believed Brian may have been injured and could not fly away.  For more info, photos, and even a song (Major Tom) adapted to honor him - see here and here.  (Strangely I have an image from the movie Toy Story stuck in my head - the vibrating face of Woody the Cowboy as he, RT and Buzz strapped to a rocket blast off from the road in pursuit of the moving van - only this time it's Brian face).  It's not known how long he could have held on but we can only hope.

God speed, Brian - the world's first hypersonic space bat.

Think of the fallen

Another year passed,
More defenders gone,
Passing into memory,
Newer generations
never knew,
Past forgetting,
Think instead,
The price they paid,
For us all,
Honour them,
Always

Gone Home too soon ....

I just saw a news article about the tornado touching down Little Sioux Scout Ranch in Iowa. Campers were trying to take cover when the storm hit. One cabin was demolished by a direct hit. Many were injured and four Scouts have gone home before their time.

Please take a moment and spare a thought for the victims of this tragedy. Some links below:

• National Post
• New York Times
• ABC News
  
• Scoutmaster Blog
• The Scoutmaster Minute Blog
  
• Boy Scout Trail Blog
  

Clarke Green wrote a good piece on this at his Scoutmaster Blog. He talks not just about fellowship and loss, but what we must all learn from this.

Update: I just saw a TV news report on the tragedy that included photos of the devastation. It is hard to believe from these pictures that anyone could have come through that.

Reports indicate these Scouts were on a leadership training program and had just completed first aid and emergency preparedness instruction. The survivors certainlty put those skills to the test.

Our thoughts go out to the families, friends, and leaders of Aaron Eilerts, 14 from Eagle Grove, Iowa; Josh Fennen, 13, Sam Thomsen, 13, and Ben Petrzilka, 13, all from Omaha.