Photo by space launch photographer extraordinaire, Ben Cooper
LIFT OFF: Last night, before bedtime, we tuned into a United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch. The mission, for the Air Force, was carrying the fourth Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) mission for the U.S. Air Force. It lifted off from Space Launch Complex-41 on Oct. 17 at 9:15 p.m. Seattle time. The launch marked ULA’s 50th launch for the U.S. Air Force.
Developed by Lockheed Martin, the AEHF system "provides vastly improved global, survivable, protected communications capabilities for strategic command and tactical warfighters," per a ULA PDF. "This jam-resistant system also serves international partners including Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom," it notes.
HISTORY LESSON: Yesterday I revisited my email subscriptions to the Library of Congress, a favorite resource. I must have clicked on some additional boxes, because today my inbox was filled with cool stuff, including a 'this day in history' email. Today's topic: A letter then-President Monroe sent to friend and neighbor Thomas Jefferson, asking for advice about joining Great Britain in a formal declaration to dissuade other powers (including Spain and France ) from intervening in the affairs of Central and South America.
On Nov. 7, 1823, at a cabinet meeting, John Quincy Adams warned Monroe, “It would be more candid, as well as more dignified, to avow our principles explicitly to Russia and France, than to come in as a cockboat in the wake of the British man-of-war.”
That's something to think about, now, isn't it?
Turns out Monroe took Adams' advice to heart, and he chose to pursue a diplomatic course independent of Great Britain. The policy was outlined in an address to Congress on December 2, 1823. It became known as the Monroe Doctrine. In part, Monroe said, “We should consider any (European nations') attempt to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety.” Monroe declared that “the American continents…are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers.”
Turns out Monroe took Adams' advice to heart, and he chose to pursue a diplomatic course independent of Great Britain. The policy was outlined in an address to Congress on December 2, 1823. It became known as the Monroe Doctrine. In part, Monroe said, “We should consider any (European nations') attempt to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety.” Monroe declared that “the American continents…are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers.”
The Library of Congress link also shared this great old illustration about the Monroe Doctrine.
Keep off! The Monroe Doctrine must be respected. Lithograph by Victor; illustrated in Judge, February 15, 1896, p. 108-109. Prints & Photographs Division
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