Let us take a moment, while contemplating the sleek engineering of the quiet engine sonic inlet, to consider that tie. That man is not a model. He is, in all likelihood, an engineer. An actual rocket scientist. There are no horn-rim glasses, no pocket protectors and neither white coat nor jumpsuit. Perhaps… and I can find no higher resolution than the NASA Image Library’s photo… that white bow-tie shape is, in fact, ear protection, removed and placed casually around the scientist’s neck. Perhaps.
But one can dream. One can dream of aeronautic laboratories filled with men in corduroy blazers, oxblood Chelsea boots and maroon pants. And, yes, ties. White ties. Ties wide enough to shake the stars from their heavens.