CAP Astronaut Wings

[Starbird]

So I noticed that the armed forces each issue their own form of astronaut wings to any member who participates in a spaceflight.  Just out of pure interest,  has any astronaut member, such as Eric Boe, been awarded astronaut wings by CAP?  Sorry if this is a stupid question....

Thanks,

Dan

[almostspaatz]

From my understanding of the regulations, a member would wear whatever version of the wings they earned on the CAP uniform. So Neil armstrong would have the Navy version but would wear the same insignia if he were in CAP also.

CAP doesn't award astronaut wings, they are awarded by NASA. CAP doesn't have a specific variation of the badge just for CAP members. NASA has a different type for each branch of the military as well as civilian wings (which have only been awarded to 2 people in history).

The conundrum is whether or not those could be worn in CAP since they wouldn't be recognized as a badge that could be worn on an air force uniform. CAPM 39-1 says that badges and insignia must be approved for wear on air force uniforms. This does't include corporate uniforms but there is no reg to specifically cover this. (that I am aware of)

Anyone have any thoughts/more info?

[AlphaSigOU]

Actually, the astronaut designator (technically they're not wings) is awarded by the services when the aeronautical rating holder flies at an altitude of 50 miles or higher. (Essentially, a space flight, though the X-15 pilots were awarded astronaut designators as well.) The wings with the astronaut designator are authorized for wear on the USAF-style uniform.

NASA issues the silver astronaut lapel pin once an astronaut candidate ('ascan') successfully completes initial training. On their first flight into space, they are entitled to wear the gold astronaut lapel pin. (Deke Slayton was the only one given a gold astronaut pin with a diamond on the star, a gift from the Apollo 1 widows.)

Air Force mission specialists that do not already have an aeronautical rating are awarded 'observer' (navigator) wings on completion of ascan training, but do not get the designator until they fly into space.

CAP never has issued - nor will they ever issue - 'astronaut wings'.

[sardak]

NASA has a different type for each branch of the military as well as civilian wings (which have only been awarded to 2 people in history).

Two people have been awarded FAA commercial astronaut wings. There have been more than 129 NASA civilian astronauts or astronaut candidates. NASA astronaut wings (badges) are different than the FAA's.

Mike

[TheSkyHornet]

On a side note---

Makes me wish life had turned out differently. Always wanted to be an astronaut. Not that I'm one who cares to flaunt ribbons, medals, or badges, but astronaut wings would be so cool to have on one's uni

[Flying Pig]

Some of the missions we flew in CA we came pretty close to earning some astronaut wings   

[JC004]

Col Boe wears Air Force Command Astronaut.  Very easily acquired in CAP blue/white. 

Since CAP does not have spacecraft, we wouldn't have CAP astronauts. 

We own and operate gliders, powered aircraft, and balloons, all of which have CAP wings.

[Flying Pig]

Yeah the idea of just making a corresponding badge could get pretty labor intensive.  Why limit it to CAP Astronaut wings? Lets have CAP scuba diver badges, CAP Air Assault Badge, CAP jump wings, CAP EOD badges...... and on and on and on. 

Even as a military pilot, you dont just get to wear CAP wings.  You still have to complete your CAP training. 

[lordmonar]

Since CAP does not have spacecraft, we wouldn't have CAP astronauts. 

That reasoning is a little faulty.

Last I checked...neither the Army nor the Navy have space craft.....and yet they have astronaut wings. 


To the OP.

Back in the day when Eric Boe made his space flight the NB proposed that CAP astronaut wings be created and awarded to him....but it was voted down.

[JC004]

Since CAP does not have spacecraft, we wouldn't have CAP astronauts. 

That reasoning is a little faulty.

Last I checked...neither the Army nor the Navy have space craft.....and yet they have astronaut wings. 


To the OP.

Back in the day when Eric Boe made his space flight the NB proposed that CAP astronaut wings be created and awarded to him....but it was voted down.

They are assigned to NASA through their service.  CAP members do not get assigned to NASA through CAP. 

[Storm Chaser]

Since CAP does not have spacecraft, we wouldn't have CAP astronauts. 

That reasoning is a little faulty.

Last I checked...neither the Army nor the Navy have space craft.....and yet they have astronaut wings. 

Your reasoning is faulty too. The Armed Forces support NASA with pilots and mission specialists. Those military aviators who are assigned to the NASA space program do so while continuing to be in active duty. That is their duty assignment and, as such, both their aeronautical rating and astronaut designator are awarded by their corresponding service.

CAP, on the other hand, does not support NASA with astronauts. Just because an astronaut happens to be a CAP member doesn't mean CAP is supplying NASA with that astronaut. And unlike flight and other specialized training received through the military, no training received through CAP is required (or even relevant) to serve as a NASA astronaut.

[lordmonar]

Since CAP does not have spacecraft, we wouldn't have CAP astronauts. 

That reasoning is a little faulty.

Last I checked...neither the Army nor the Navy have space craft.....and yet they have astronaut wings. 

Your reasoning is faulty too. The Armed Forces support NASA with pilots and mission specialists. Those military aviators who are assigned to the NASA space program do so while continuing to be in active duty. That is their duty assignment and, as such, both their aeronautical rating and astronaut designator are awarded by their corresponding service.

CAP, on the other hand, does not support NASA with astronauts. Just because an astronaut happens to be a CAP member doesn't mean CAP is supplying NASA with that astronaut. And unlike flight and other specialized training received through the military, no training received through CAP is required (or even relevant) to serve as a NASA astronaut.

I have never assert any reasoning of why CAP does not have Astronaut wings.....I just pointed out "because CAP does not have spaceships" is kind of faulty.

Bottom line.  CAP does not have Astronaut wings....because we don't.   We could have them tomorrow (well next year...CAP can't do anything tomorrow ) if they wanted them.

Last I checked....we didn't want them.

[Starbird]

Thank you all for your replies.  Make more sense now as to why we do not have them.

To the OP.

Back in the day when Eric Boe made his space flight the NB proposed that CAP astronaut wings be created and awarded to him....but it was voted down.

Very interesting.

[almostspaatz]

NASA has a different type for each branch of the military as well as civilian wings (which have only been awarded to 2 people in history).

Two people have been awarded FAA commercial astronaut wings. There have been more than 129 NASA civilian astronauts or astronaut candidates. NASA astronaut wings (badges) are different than the FAA's.

Mike

Interesting...wasn't aware of the distinction

[AlphaSigOU]

When John Glenn flew on Friendship 7 the Marines created a one-of-a-kind Marine astronaut badge for Glenn. It was short-lived, as the current design of astronaut wings replaced it.

[MSG Mac]

The Military services astronaut wings consist of a star with a trailing tail (more like a comet) on the wings the individual already had.

[Flying Pig]

Would a non-military astronaut be able to wear their NASA wings in CAP?  Like the scientists who go up?

[Storm Chaser]

They're not specifically authorized in CAPM 39-1 and I don't believe their authorized in the Air Force uniform either.

[Shuman 14]

One would think that CAP's aerospace education program and NASA would want to work together to educate the astronauts of tomorrow.

If NASA can take school teachers into space, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teacher_in_Space_Project , I don't see why they could not take a CAP member into space too.

There may not be a requirement for such wings now, but anything is possible in the future.

[GroundHawg]

I still think that Joseph Kittinger, Yevgeni Andreyev, Felix Baumgartner, and Alan Eustace should get some type of freefall wings with an astronaut device. They were not 50 miles up, but I think that jumping from the stratosphere should be recognized somehow!