posted 04-02-2004 11:17 AM               

As they say on the radio, long time listener...first time "posting"...so be kind.

Many of you have followed the thread started by Steve Smith, a wonderful volunteer for the Cosmosphere, regarding a cS gathering this June in Kansas. Steve and I have been working off-line to put something special together for this event, as the Cosmosphere would like to show its appreciation for all the great support we get from cS. So, while I have some "bad" news, I think I'll be able to cushion the blow.

The original date of June 12/13 will not work for us for a variety of reasons. However, we have scheduled this gathering on the weekend of June 26. The change was necessary for several reasons, but the most important is that we are pleased to announce that Captain Dick Gordon will be at the Cosmosphere that weekend and will include a presentation on Saturday for Cosmosphere members and "special guests" i.e. you all.

Now, you all should be members of the Cosmosphere, but we'll still show you a good time even if you choose not to be. We are also working on some tours of our storage and restoration facilities and perhaps a few other surprises.

I know Steve may plan other activities surrounding this event, but the Cosmosphere portion will be during the day on Saturday, June 26. Details will follow as appropriate.

Please join us in June in Hutchinson, Kansas and I look forward to meeting many of you.

posted 04-02-2004 12:46 PM              

Sorry if this is a conflict of travel time. I'll still be happy to host anyone wanting to come up the weekend of 6/12-13/04.

My house in NW Wichita is open to everybody, and I'll be glad to pick up at airport, chaueffer, and lead carpools, etc. I'm only a few miles from airport and about 40 minutes from Cosmosphere. There are motels near me and also near Cosmosphere in Hutchinson. I'll work at getting special rates if there is interest.

Hope everybody can bring along show and tell from your collections, and also for trading/selling/buying.

This is going to be so good and so much fum. Feel like I'm in hog heaven.

I believe you all will be very, very impressed by Cosmosphere whether first visit, or a return visit.

Jeff and Cosmosphere, thanks so much.

Please advise by separate email to myself, or by posting here if you're coming, when, and how many.

Life is good.

posted 04-02-2004 03:10 PM               

Welcome to collectSPACE. It's about time you began posting. We're glad to have you!

And what an incredibly kind thing to do! Steve has long been an integral member of our group and a good friend to many, many of us. We're thrilled that you two could put your heads together on this for all of us.

This is just terrific news. I'll do my best to make the drive up from Georgia, and probably drag along a few of our Georgia space pals as well.

Okay Jeff, you're in the gang now, pal...we expect to hear from you on a regular basis!

Thank you!

posted 04-03-2004 09:23 PM               

I must say that the Cosmosphere has done a great job with the Gemini 6 restoration. The Cosmosphere has two flown Gemini on hand now and I think it is Gemini 6 that they are working on. Gemini 10 is setting in the museum and right now you can walk right up to it and touch it. Gemini 10 is wrapped in plexiglass but you can get right up next to it. I saw Gemini 6 twice in 2003 in the restoration room. Both times the Gemini was facing the viewing glass and I could see the front and the right side of the spacecraft. The doors were removed but I could not see inside the spacecraft. When I visited two weeks ago it was setting with the heat shield facing the viewing glass. The markings on the heat shield were very interesting, I hope they were orginal and not added during the restoration. The spacecraft was also tilted just enough that you could see the instrument panel. The panel and the inside of the Gemini looked great.

I wish I could join you guys for geekfest but as luck would have it I will be out of town that weekend but there is good news to that also. We will be on a two week family vacation and we will be spending a week in Washington DC. While I will miss the Cosmosphere visit I will be visiting the National Air and Space Museum for the fist time.

Hope you guys enjoy the Cosmosphere.

posted 04-12-2004 01:00 PM               

Congratulations on this asto-enounter Steve. I should have loved to attend. Unfortunately, my airline tickets have already been purchased, based upon the origninal dates, and I can't change them now.

Should others be in the same position, perhaps a Geekfest warmup will be possible on the weekend of the 12th, 13th?

Any chance of visitors on the 12th seeing some of the Cosmoshpere behind the scenes stuff, or is that reserved for the actual event only?

posted 04-14-2004 03:29 PM              

No there will not!!

Cosmosphere will have a signing after his address Saturday afternoon 6/26/04. It is asked that we not overwhelm him with multiple requests, and that common courtesy be exercised to allow the line to move, and all to enjoy his visit and be inspired by visiting with an astrounaut.

We hope to have time for separate meeting with CS members.

Jeff Ollenburger (CEO of Cosmosphere) says he will post more in the near future regarding the events of the weekend. Right now they are concentrating on Sy's visit weekend after this.

posted 04-14-2004 10:40 PM              

Given the free autograph opportunity, and its equivalent value, you might consider Cosmosphere CEO Jeff Ollenburger's offer that attendees consider becoming members. Go to www.cosmo.org and click "Membership". There are several ranges of pricings and privilges. I think you'll find them attractive and fair. It help support this tremendous non=profit attraction.

Some attractions during the weekend. at the IMAX theater will be a NASCAR show, and "Island of the Sharks". At the planetarium, there is a show produced by our Planetarium director called "We really did go to the Moon" that counters the conspiracy folks. I believe this group might like it. Let me or Jeff know if you'd like to see it, and it can be scheduled. Perhaps Captain Gordon might watch it with us, and comment. Wouldn't that be interesting. Or perhaps Captain Gordon might watch NASCAR with us. He's a tremenous fan, and a big sport fan in general.

posted 04-28-2004 03:34 PM               

To help in everyone's planning, I wanted to post our working agenda for the cS day at the Cosmosphere. Again, Steve Smith might have other things scheduled for Friday and Sunday, but the events at the Cosmosphere on Saturday will look like this:

8:00 a.m. to 9:30 - We will open an hour early to allow for "on your own" museum time for early arrivals.

9:30 to 11:30 a.m. - Welcome, Tours begin of collections department, restoration facilities (on-site and off-site) and exhibit fabrication areas.

11:30 to 1:00 p.m. - Lunch on own (an organized cS gathering might be recommended by Steve)

1:00 to 2:30 p.m. - Roundtable discussion on issues related to collecting, care and preservation of artifacts and various topics.

3:00 to 4:30 p.m. - Presentation by Capt. Dick Gordon followed by autograph session.

5:00 p.m. - cS day at the Cosmosphere offically ends but museum will remain open unti 9:00 p.m. for continued tours, IMAX and Planetarium viewings, etc...

Again, the schedule may change a bit as it approaches, but we will try to stick to the basic outline here. I hope this helps in your planning, and I look forward to meeting many of you in June.

posted 04-28-2004 04:11 PM               

Jeff, I hope you will forgive me if I talk excessively about exhibits and simulators I could build for you...

Looking forward to a great time.

posted 04-30-2004 11:22 AM               

In response to several questions from some of you planning to attend, I thought I'd better post some information to help in your planning.

We will have tables set up in the main room where we will be based out of for the day for anyone wishing to bring items to display or materials to hand out, etc...They will be standard 8' tables, so don't bring your favorite collection of F1 Engines : ) We will lock the room when not in use.

Costs for the day....we will treat you all as members for the day and make the Hall of Space Museum available to you on Saturday at no charge. The tours, presentations, etc..will also be our compliments. You will be on your own for meals and other things you wish to do while at the Cosmosphere (IMAX, Planetarium and other venues and of course gift store purchases).

If you have specific questions, please feel free to email me directly at jeffo@cosmo.org. I'll reply as soon as I'm able.

Looking forward to the event.

posted 05-19-2004 12:39 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by MrSpace86:
How will you know we are Collectspace members? I think we need some sort of pass or ID that says we are members of CS. Just a suggestion.
-Rodrigo

---

Everyone needs to get a CS tshirt--
Got Space?
CollectSpace
it does a collector good
http://www.countdown-creations.com/space_collectibles.htm?AID=8140000&PID=884932

------------------
Evan

[This message has been edited by nojnj (edited May 19, 2004).]

posted 05-25-2004 11:31 PM              

Brian
Yukon, OK

posted 06-15-2004 07:34 PM              

It is now officially posted on Cosmosphere's website www.cosmo.org.

Captain Gordon will be speaking at 3:00 PM, and other activities are scheduled per earlier posts on this site.

As previously noted, autographs will be free, and the Apogee Book on A12 will be on sale for possible autographing. (FW, there should be one for you)

If you could, drop me a line off line confirming if you're coming, and if you'll be there more than Saturday. We're trying to get an idea of the body count. I'd like to get together Friday. Sunday, and Saturday evening.My house is available, and I'll be glad to help however possible.

posted 06-22-2004 09:14 AM              

He will be speaking at 2:00 PM Sunday 6/27/04.
His appearance is complimented by the actual SR-71 Blackbird hanging in Cosmosphere entrance lobby.

For more information, go to www.cosmo.org.

posted 06-22-2004 10:59 AM               

------------------
John Fongheiser
President
Historic Space Systems http://www.space1.com

posted 06-26-2004 10:12 AM               

Wackenly Yours,

posted 06-28-2004 12:47 AM               

I highly recommend to visit the Cosmosphere and support them by becoming a member.

posted 06-28-2004 12:51 PM               

I'm glad I got to meet some fellow collectors, and I hope to meet more on other occasions. (We need more hardware collectors to show up next time )

I did take along a few items of hardware for show and tell. One was an Apollo rotation control. Good thing, too. Capt. Gordon was able to use it to demonstrate the operation of the microphone switch while gripping the handle firmly.

Lots of great memories. Thanks again for a dream day.