Most of you may already know this, but the Space Shuttle orbiters were all named after “sea vessels which established new frontiers in research and exploration.” If they could somehow manage to build a new one from the existing design, I’m pretty sure they’d try to continue that theme. Beagle fits the pattern, but it doesn’t sound quite as grand as the others, does it?
That’s what I was thinking Robot, but on further consideration I would say the chances of a Republican Congress spending billions on a new shuttle to be named Beagle are about 0. I think it would be cool though.
I think Constitution should be “retired” as a name since the sailing ship with that name is still officially active and has had quite a distinguished history.
Well, here are a few of the names that were proposed for Endeavor.
“Intrepid,” which I’m partial to, seems to be the most popular name for fictional space shuttles, btw. Though I’ve even heard of ones named “Camelot” and “Churchill.”
Ranchoth
(But I STILL don’t know how to pronounce “Hokule’a”)
Actually, a LOT of teams submitted “Endeavor.” Only one or two submitted “Endeavour”, which was chosen. My school submitted Endeavor, as well.
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Ranchoth
(But I STILL don’t know how to pronounce “Hokule’a”) **
[/QUOTE]
Hoe-koo-LAY-uh
I’ve seen that tiny vessel of Lahaina before, it’s remarkable.
How about Santa Maria. I like the idea of Phoenix, considering the mythical bird behind the name.
[slight hijack]
I thought the names were in alphabetical order without the B.
Atlantis
Challenger/Columbia
Discovery
Endevour
I’ve always wondered where the B went…
[/slight hijack]
If it’s true, the next one could be Fathom or Frontier.
The CG has a fleet of cutters whose names might be appropriate:
ACTIVE
ALERT
CONFIDENCE
DAUNTLESS
DECISIVE
DEPENDABLE
DILIGENCE
RELIANCE
RESOLUTE
STEADFAST
VALIANT
VENTUROUS
VIGILANT
VIGOROUS
I really like the Constitution idea, but perhaps it should be retired as a name.
Hmm… exploratory vessels?
I get this sudden Heyerdahlish vibe. Space shuttle Kon Tiki?
(OK, so it ended up running aground. So did Santa Maria – which would be un-PC) But hey, Hokule’a would be interesting. And Beagle would be excellent.
Of course, the next “class” of shuttle will likely have an entirely different naming scheme.
Um… Bosda, I seriously think that it’ll be a while before we name a ship after old Wehrner.
Killing Time
Frank Exchange of Views
Sleeper Service
Serious Callers Only
Shoot Them Later
Anticipation of a New Lover’s Arrival
(Yes, I have been reading Excession recently… why d’you ask? :D)
If we are going with distinguished ships then I recommend “Bluenose”.
however, what about naming them after cities of famous “first” astronauts?
The only one off the top of my head I can think of would be “Sault Ste Marie” for Roberta Bondar, the first Canadian female in space, and also the first Neurologist in space.
‘Columbia’ was named after the ship that Robert Gray sailed when he explored the northwest of North America. The Columbia river and Gray’s Harbor in Washington are named after the ship and her captain. He also sailed in a ship named ‘Lady Washington’ (after Martha). Maybe that isn’t such a good name for a spaceship.
How about ‘Armstrong’? I know they usually like to wait until someone is dead before honoring them this way, but what the hey? Then we could name the next one ‘Aldrin’.
Or ‘Gagarin.’ That would sound very globally-aware (rather than short-sighted and isolationist) of us, hmm?
‘Kennedy’?
Cornucopia of Excellent Goods at Low Prices
or
The pirates ship Revenge
**ARRRRGH, ME HEARTIES! Methinks the shuttle should be named:
** The Crimson Binome!
This ‘uns goin’ out to all you “Reboot” fans.
How 'bout we stop with the ‘C’ names…
‘The Spirit of Brutus’ certainly has a nice ring to it.
Falcon, Kitty Hawk, Casper, Gumdrop, Spider, Charlie Brown & Snoopy (hey, he was a beagle!)
Eric
How about…
Endurance (Ernest Shakleton’s ship)
Calypso (Jacques Cousteau’s ship)
Or there’s always…
Enterprise.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Zed Zed Nine Plural Zed Alpha (Heart of Gold)
America
Rama
Spirit of St. Louis