Topic: May 2009: Space Day celebrations and events
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42986 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-07-2009 10:13 PM
NASA release
"Signatures in Space" Connects Kids to Space Day Celebrations
NASA and Lockheed Martin's Student Signatures in Space (S3) program will be one of the highlighted projects during this year's Space Day, celebrated annually on the first Friday in May. The mission of Space Day is to use space-related activities to inspire and prepare young people for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Student Signatures in Space began in 1997 as a way to draw kids into space studies by giving them a personal connection to space. Participating schools are sent large posters for students to sign on Space Day. NASA and Lockheed Martin, of Bethesda, Md., are currently accepting school names for participation. The program is open to elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as science museums and regional Boy Scout and Girl Scout councils.
After schools return the posters to Lockheed Martin, the signatures are scanned onto a disk and flown aboard a space shuttle mission. Schools also receive lesson plans and information about the mission their signed posters are flying on.
Upon completion of the shuttle flight, the posters are returned to the schools along with a photo of the astronaut crew that took the signatures to space and a NASA flight certification verifying that the signatures flew in space. Schools are allowed to participate in the signatures program once every six years.
The project is free to participants. Program partners cover all program costs, including shipping expenses for return of the signed posters. Schools and other organizations may request a sign-up form by e-mailing S3 Program Manager April Tensen.
Student Signatures in Space is limited to 500 schools per year, and schools are registered on a first-come, first-served basis. Schools that sign up after the maximum capacity is reached will be put on a list to participate in the following year's program.
FFrench Member
Posts: 3161 From: San Diego Registered: Feb 2002
posted 04-07-2009 10:19 PM
On Saturday, May 9, 2009, the San Diego Air & Space Museum will host its 6th Annual Space Day celebration. Space Day will feature demonstrations, giveaways, and hands-on activities with local and national space experts.
Invited Presenters include NASA, San Diego Space Society, Virgin Galactic, SDAA (San Diego Astronomy Association), DSN (Deep Space Network), JPL, The Mars Society, SETI, UCSD EarthKAM, The Planetary Society, and many others.
The Day's Activities include:
Touch a Real Space Shuttle Tire, Flown in Space
Drive a Mars Rover
Build & Fly a Paper Rocket
Talk to Space Experts
Space Exploration Presentations
Design Your Own Space Patch
Look Through a Telescope
Launch a Bottle Rocket
As an extra bonus, we'll be offering a FREE Director's Screening of the new space documentary "Orphans of Apollo," followed by Q+A with the director, Michael Potter.
The Museum's Space Galleries are open for viewing throughout the event, including a flown Apollo spacecraft, moon rocks and space suits.
For more information about the event, including a link to a special discount coupon for the event, click here.
E2M Lem Man Member
Posts: 846 From: Los Angeles CA. USA Registered: Jan 2005
posted 04-13-2009 06:41 PM
Francis has asked me to put on display for Space Day in San Diego a few of my artifacts for the day. they will include:
concept models of the Phase One shuttle designs, and Apollo/Titan IIIM
the "paper clip LM and Apollo 1 stand model used for "the" portrait in "from the Earth to the Moon"
a North American 1963 Apollo-LEM design model, and
...a few more surprises.
Jim Busby
BobbyA Member
Posts: 147 From: Northern Virginia Registered: Jul 2002
posted 04-19-2009 10:21 PM
National Air and Space Museum: Space Day on May 2.
Dan Barry, Roger Crouch, and Ken Reightler will be there as well as STS-119 Astronauts. Awesome!
E2M Lem Man Member
Posts: 846 From: Los Angeles CA. USA Registered: Jan 2005
posted 04-22-2009 08:15 PM
The cat is out of the bag, "Andy Astronaut" is coming down to San Diego Air and Space Museum for the Space Day.
Andy was the unofficial mascot of Rockwell Int. Family nights, and of Space Flight Awareness at Downey. He hasn't been seen in awhile. But has consented to come down for the day and will be available for pictures and questions about Apollo.
Andy is NOT a real astronaut but a tribute to the endearing spirit of all who wear the white spacesuits and venture out into the vacuum or onto another planetoid.
He is a tribute from the Organization to Support Space Exploration (OSSE) that was formed in 1978 to get people interested in space exploration.
We hope you can come down and see Andy!
tncmaxq Member
Posts: 287 From: New Haven, CT USA Registered: Oct 2001
posted 04-27-2009 05:40 AM
I hope to make the trip to DC for the NASM events on the May 2. Any ideas if the astronauts will be available to speak individually with audience members and museum goers? This is not an event at which I would be seeking a lot of autographs but taking some pictures with them would be nice.
John K. Rochester Member
Posts: 1292 From: Rochester, NY, USA Registered: Mar 2002
posted 04-27-2009 06:40 PM
I was planning on making the trip down from Upstate NY for Space Day at the NASM and was wondering if it would be worth it to bring my "Shuttle Figure" that has already been signed by 14 astronauts in the past to see if these 9 would do the same... any thoughts?
Mike Isbell Member
Posts: 551 From: Silver Spring, Maryland USA Registered: Aug 2003
posted 04-29-2009 02:03 PM
I am not certain whether or not the STS-119 crew will be available for signatures, but in past years Capt. Reightler, Dr. Crouch and Dr. Barry have conducted signings during the morning on Space Day, so I am almost certain that you would have no problem obtaining at least three signatures.
John K. Rochester Member
Posts: 1292 From: Rochester, NY, USA Registered: Mar 2002
posted 04-29-2009 06:28 PM
Thanks Mike for your response. I'm most certainly going to be there. Won't be hard to miss, the 56 year old with the Shuttle Cookie Jar. Is that the lamest thing you've ever heard or what??!!
Bernasconi Member
Posts: 47 From: San Diego, CA Registered: Apr 2008
posted 04-30-2009 03:16 PM
The San Diego Air & Space Museum has just announced that the Space Day activities will be free for all kids 11 and under with a paid adult admission! The Museum is still offering a discount admission coupon for an adult admission on its website. This means the whole family can explore space without needing an astronomical budget!
Lunches will also be available for purchase at the Museum.
Tom Member
Posts: 1597 From: New York Registered: Nov 2000
posted 05-02-2009 06:50 PM
While NASM officials had a no autograph policy for today's STS-119 crew event in Washington, all six crew members were readily available for handshakes and pictures.
A question and answer period preceded an STS-119 highlight film... with each crew member narrating a portion.
Three other astronauts were in attendance today: Dan Barry, Ken Reightler and Roger Crouch.
John K. Rochester Member
Posts: 1292 From: Rochester, NY, USA Registered: Mar 2002
posted 05-02-2009 07:44 PM
I beg to differ with the above comment. I noticed that every one of the NASM officials and some NASA badged employees as well ushered their kids into the side room for their autographs and pictures. One of the "officials" commented on how nice my signed shuttle was, but she's sorry I made a 16 hour round trip for nothing. Never again will I attend another one of these functions. The policy of sheltering them from autographs (except for the big shots) sucks!
Tom Member
Posts: 1597 From: New York Registered: Nov 2000
posted 05-02-2009 08:49 PM
John, while getting autographs would have been real nice, getting the opportunity to meet and have photos taken with NASA's latest shuttle crew was time well spent.
Having driven down from New York for previous events such as an evening with Neil Armstrong in 2006, and last years program which featured the Apollo 8 crew, I've gotten used to "no autographs". Shaking hands with them was honor enough.
Cliff Lentz Member
Posts: 655 From: Philadelphia, PA USA Registered: Mar 2002
posted 05-03-2009 09:26 AM
John, I have to agree that they could have handled this better. I made the drive from New Jersey and faced the same disappointment. My wife and I spent most of the day looking for your cookie jar. This is starting to become common practice with NASM. At several events I was told that I held a higher membership status, I could be included in some of these events. I always have to think twice now about going to DC, knowing how they conduct business.
BobbyA Member
Posts: 147 From: Northern Virginia Registered: Jul 2002
posted 05-03-2009 10:01 AM
The only thing that I was disappointed with at the NASM on Saturday was the audio and video aspect. They could not get the STS-119 video started and then only about half of their microphones worked. I thought it was embarrassing. It seemed like they were not prepared.
I really had a great time though. I had the chance to make conversation with each member of the 119 crew and get a photo with them too. Lee Archambault made it pretty clear that he was not planning on flying on Ares.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42986 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-03-2009 10:01 AM
Outside of autograph shows and book signings, where the primary intent of the event is to offer autographs, it troubles me when fellow collectors equate an event's worthiness with the opportunity to get a signature from the featured guest.
I can understand some disappointment and even frustration, but if it's not possible to enjoy an event such as Space Day in the National Air and Space Museum, where you could hear from, see and meet the most recent space shuttle crew, then I suppose I don't understand why some find an attraction to this hobby. It can't be all about the autographs, can it?
Had the National Air and Space Museum advertised autograph sessions and then not offered them, I could see being upset, but that was not the case for this event.
I won't pretend I haven't experienced the same disappointment and even moaned after an event to friends, but I have never considered that a reason to write off the trip to being for "nothing".
Our astronaut appearance calendar is titled "Sightings" and not "Signings" for a reason: there's a lot more to be obtained than just an autograph from the chance to see and meet the astronauts (on edit: as Bobby said).
Cliff Lentz Member
Posts: 655 From: Philadelphia, PA USA Registered: Mar 2002
posted 05-03-2009 03:02 PM
Driving to DC, we knew this was a possibility. When I first arrived at the NASM, I immediately found out that there was a no autograph policy. Okay, so I went on to photograph the astronauts. I've never really understood the premise of posing for photographs. Just to prove you were really there with the person. I've seen some pretty ridiculous posed photos. With today's software programs I could always photoshop myself into any photo I took yesterday if it was that important to me. My wife asked me several times if I wanted to pose with them, but I declined. It's a personal thing I guess. If anyone is interested I posted my best photos on my new site. I hope you'll all visit. If you have trouble gaining access please email me. I did, however, become aware that a certain few special persons were being ushered into private audiences with the crew. That was the biggest disappointment of the day.
So trying to make the best of it, I later would videotape the crew's second appearance. The 1:45 presentation went much smoother except the persistent microphone problems continued. When 3 o'clock came, the tables for Space Day were quickly put away. Those of us who don't have access to the crews all returned home to contemplate our place in society.
John K. Rochester Member
Posts: 1292 From: Rochester, NY, USA Registered: Mar 2002
posted 05-04-2009 04:41 PM
Robert, if you check what I said... the NASA spokesperson accompanying the crew said my trip was for "nothing". I found the general attitude of the personnel accompanying both the 119 crew and Dr. Barry to be snotty to anyone who asked if there were to be opportunities for signing. I realize that the object of the day was to meet and greet, It just seems to ME that lately NASA has taken the attitude of Bill Anders. Autograph seekers are to be treated as second class citizens. "Their time is too limited." I think it takes MORE time to pose a picture and snap it than it does to sign your name.
To respond to another of your points, well YES to some of us the opportunity to get a signature is the paramount reason for attending. To some the object is a photo, or to see the astronauts in person.
For the past 5 years I've taken the item to presentations... and quite a few times the astronaut would seek me out afterwards to sign the "shuttle", many have even asked how they could get one. Robert, I have all the respect in the world for you and what you have done for we collectors... and maybe you feel I'm out of line. It is however just my opinion, and doesn't reflect the views of anyone but me.
Quite frankly, and this is just my opinion... how many times do we have to see the same footage of "somersaults, M&M tossing, globs of water, drinking said globs of water from a straw." I know you guys are going to crucify me for that, but seriously! The only time I EVER saw a presentation that wasn't dumbed down like that was Dr. Musgrave!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42986 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-04-2009 09:18 PM
Far be it from me to suggest how anyone else should approach this hobby, but if I may volunteer my personal experience: if you treat every event as an opportunity to only meet and greet, then each and every autograph opportunity becomes a very pleasant surprise, increasing the joy you take away from the event and lessening the chance to be disappointed.
Shalene Member
Posts: 47 From: San Diego, California Registered: Apr 2008
posted 05-11-2009 10:23 PM
Thanks to everyone who came to the San Diego Air & Space Museum's Space Day events this weekend! We had over 1000 people in attendance, including representatives from NASA, JPL, Sally Ride Science, the Mars Society, The National Space Society, Lockheed Martin and many other space and astronomy groups. We launched compressed-air water rockets, balloon rockets, drove robots on a simulated Martian surface, offered solar telescope viewings, previewed a new space movie, and had lots of other hands-on, interactive fun! Families could also touch a real flown shuttle tire, land the space shuttle in our brand new shuttle simulator, and have their photo taken with Downey's own "Andy The Astronaut."
Shalene Member
Posts: 47 From: San Diego, California Registered: Apr 2008
posted 05-11-2009 10:24 PM
More images can be found on our blog and in this video:
E2M Lem Man Member
Posts: 846 From: Los Angeles CA. USA Registered: Jan 2005
posted 05-12-2009 06:01 PM
For all of us from the Organization to Support Space Exploration, we had a ball at the museum - and so did our volunteers who came up there with us. The people of San Diego made Andy Astronaut feel quite at home, We will let collectSPACE know where Andy will touchdown next!
Jim Busby
Shalene Member
Posts: 47 From: San Diego, California Registered: Apr 2008
posted 05-13-2009 12:52 PM
Thanks to you and all of the other presenters we had a really fun event. We are already looking forward to next year!
xlsteve Member
Posts: 391 From: Holbrook MA, USA Registered: Jul 2008
posted 05-19-2009 03:58 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: Far be it from me to suggest how anyone else should approach this hobby, but if I may volunteer my personal experience: if you treat every event as an opportunity to only meet and greet, then each and every autograph opportunity becomes a very pleasant surprise, increasing the joy you take away from the event and lessening the chance to be disappointed.
(I know I'm a bit late to the game with this post, but I just caught up with this thread) Robert, I couldn't agree with you more. I am relatively new to the hobby, and have a modest collection of autographs etc. Personally, given the choice of a meet and greet (and possible photo) and an autograph I would choose meet and greet every time. If I get both it's a bonus.
posted 04-07-2009 10:13 PM
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