Longtime NASA Launch Commentator George Diller to Step Away from the Console

Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, left, chats with NASA Launch Commentator George Diller during coverage of the Orbital ATK CRS-7 launch.
Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, left, chats with NASA Launch Commentator George Diller during coverage of the Orbital ATK CRS-7 launch. Image credit: NASA TV

As launch and mission managers wait for the Orbital ATK Cygnus module’s two solar arrays to deploy, Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana sat down with longtime NASA Launch Commentator George Diller, pointing out today’s launch marks Diller’s final time at the console.

George Diller, NASA Public Affairs information specialist, moderates an Orbital ATK CRS-7 briefing on April 17, 2017 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.Diller has been at the space center 37 years — four as a contractor and 33 as a NASA Public Affairs information specialist and launch commentator.

George Diller, NASA Public Affairs information specialist, moderates an Orbital ATK CRS-7 briefing on April 17, 2017 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

“You’ve done an outstanding job, and we’re really going to miss your golden voice on console,” Cabana said.

Diller expects to keep an eye on future missions even as he looks forward to a retirement in the mountains.

“You can take the boy out of the launch, but you can’t take the launch out of the boy,” Diller said. “It’s certainly fun.”

Watch the whole interview: