joepageii

Ring of Fire, Albuquerque Style

I was blessed to be home in Albuquerque (NM) on October 14, 2023 to see the Annular Solar Eclipse. Like any space geek, a ordered a “sun shield” cap for my telescope so I could view the sun’s surface. I also purchased a few of the solar eclipse glasses for my children, so they wouldn’t tryContinue reading “Ring of Fire, Albuquerque Style”

Recycling Old Material

For the next few weeks I will be (re)posting old blog posts from Blogger on a variety of topics. I’m not really using the site (blogger or blogspot) anymore, and it seems to be a waste to just delete the account outright. I cannot say whether the old posts are crap or not – thatContinue reading “Recycling Old Material”

Holloman’s Humble Beginnings

Upcoming Title…Fall 2023?

History of the IRON HORSE system

In 1967 the United States SIGINT system (USSS) improved the speed of its support to air operations over Vietnam by a quantum leap. The older manual system, HAMMOCK, was replaced by IRON HORSE, a flashy new automated system which could deliver information in seconds rather than minutes. Designed by the National Security Agency, IRON HORSEContinue reading “History of the IRON HORSE system”

FOIA Follies – Appeal for Hex-TUNITY records

Watch what I have to contend with, and how to respond. I’m sure there’s a dartboard in Washington, D.C. somewhere with my name, address, and photo on it. Maybe two dartboards, if I’m lucky… Dear Sir or Ma’am, 14675 Lee Road Chantilly, VA 20151-1715 Dear Sir or Ma’am, This is an appeal for NRO FOIAContinue reading “FOIA Follies – Appeal for Hex-TUNITY records”

Onizuka AFS/AFB Talk at Sunnyvale Historical Society

Two days ago (20 June 2022), I spoke in front of an audience at the Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum on the legacy of Onizuka Air Force Base/Station. I spoke to a mixed audience of interested community members, Society officers, and former Blue Cube workers for about an hour, and had a lengthy Q&A session afterwards.Continue reading “Onizuka AFS/AFB Talk at Sunnyvale Historical Society”

A Six-pack of Corona (film buckets)

My newest article is now posted on The Space Review: National Reconnaissance Program crisis photography concepts, part 1: A six-pack of Corona. At first glance, this reminded me of a KH-9 Hexagon satellite or an early concept of one. At the time this Six-Pack Corona was proposed, Hexagon was well on its way to beingContinue reading “A Six-pack of Corona (film buckets)”

Memory Musings: The 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake

In case you were wondering about the recent posts about space history and California, I’m scheduled to head to Sunnyvale in June to give a talk about Sunnyvale Air Force Station (aka Onizuka Air Force Base, the “Blue Cube”). I’ve been looking back at the historic material on the base and its operations to refreshContinue reading “Memory Musings: The 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake”

Coming Soon! Schriever SFB Through Time

Okay, “coming soon” might be a bit of hyperbole since the publication date is scheduled for August 2022. But, hey, I was excited to see the cover *and* finish the final proofing of the manuscript this weekend. Since Falcon Air Force Station (now known as Schriever Space Force Base) was the successor in both legacyContinue reading “Coming Soon! Schriever SFB Through Time”