[FPSPACE] USNS Wally Schirra

[Keith Gottschalk]

Talking from memory, I think Yuri Gagarin had a tracking ship named
after him. But alas, that has since been scrapped. - Keith

>>> <PeterRBond at aol.com> 09/05/09 11:51 AM >>>
Hi,
 
Thought you might be interested to see this. I wonder how many other US 

astronauts have received this accolade?
 
Peter B
 
General Dynamics NASSCO Delivers USNS Wally Schirra

SAN DIEGO, Sept.  1 -- General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned
subsidiary 
of General Dynamics,  today delivered USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) to
the 
U.S. Navy.  The ship is  named in honor of the fifth American launched
into 
space, Navy Captain Walter M.  "Wally" Schirra, Jr.

Construction of the USNS Wally Schirra began in  October 2007.  The 
689-foot-long ship will serve under the Navy's Military  Sealift Command
and will 
soon begin delivering as much as 10,000 tons of dry  cargo and petroleum

products at one time to U.S. and allied ships at  sea.

"As demonstrated on the very successful sea trials four weeks ago,  the 
Wally Schirra is superb in fit and finish, and ready for immediate
service,"  
said Frederick J. Harris, president of General Dynamics NASSCO.  "The  
Schirra and the other T-AKEs fulfill a vital naval logistics role. 
NASSCO  will 
continue to support that critical Navy mission through the timely
delivery  
of these high-quality, versatile ships in the future."

Including the  Wally Schirra, NASSCO has delivered eight T-AKEs, which
are 
also known as Lewis  and Clark-class ships.  NASSCO has construction 
contracts for four  additional ships and long-lead material contracts
for two more 
ships for a total  class of 14 T-AKE vessels.