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Author
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Topic: Space Day 2005
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Mike Isbell
Member Posts: 551
From: Silver Spring, Maryland USA
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 05-06-2005 11:51 AM
  
Yesterday I attended the events celebrating Space Day at the Air and Space Museum in Chantily, Virginia. Deputy NASA Administrator Fred Gregory spoke at the opening ceremony. Sen. John Glenn also spoke but did so prior the the public being admitted at 10:00 AM. The crew scedualed to fly the STS-116 mission next Spring was also present and the commander - Mark Polansky made a few remarks.
After the opening ceremonies concluded, the STS-116 crew held a press conference and then astronauts Mark Polansky, William Oefelein, Robert Curbeam, Joan Higginbothan, and ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang spent almost an hour signing autographs for the public. Astronaut Nicholas Patrrick was giving an interveiw during most of this time, however, when his interveiw concluded, Dr. Patrick joined in the signings for the last fifteen minutes or so. Former astronaut Joe Edwards pilot of STS-89 did a Q & A presentatation at 11:30 for about 45 minutes and also signed autographs. Former astronaut Thomas Jones and Nancy Conrad - widow of astronaut Charles Conrad - wre schedualed to speak and do book signings in the late afternoon and evening. I left a around 2:00 PM to beat the rush hour traffic back into Maryland and to attend actor Eli Wallach's booksigning at 7:00 PM in Washington,DC.
Overall a very nice event and the parking was also free for Space Day. I hope the next years event is as good - if not better ! |
thump
Member Posts: 575
From: washington dc usa
Registered: May 2004
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posted 05-06-2005 12:20 PM
was the autograph signings organized, or just a "mob" around them? |
Mike Isbell
Member Posts: 551
From: Silver Spring, Maryland USA
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 05-06-2005 06:51 PM
The astronauts stood about 50 feet apart at the rear of the Enterprise. A very well behaved group of people formed seperate lines for each astronaut. The time was spent by the collecting of autographs, people posing for pictures with the astronauts, some people had their T - shirts signed, while some people also chatted for a minute or so with the astronauts. Dr. Fuglesang told me that, with the STS-116 flight now schedualed for April 2006, Cmdr. Sunita Williams would be taken to the ISS abord STS-116 as schedualed, while ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter, who is schedualed to be taken to the ISS on STS-121 now schedualed for September, would probably return to Earth aboard the Soyuz spacecraft, while the US astronaut of Expedition 12, currently schedualed to be William McArthur, would probably return to Earth on STS-116.[This message has been edited by Mike Isbell (edited May 09, 2005).] [This message has been edited by Mike Isbell (edited May 09, 2005).] |
jam1970
Member Posts: 310
From: Chillicothe, Ohio, usa
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 05-06-2005 06:55 PM
I thought the event was ok at best. They advertised the event to take place from 4pm to 9pm. At 4pm there was no astronauts left at all other than Tom Jones. He was very nice and did sign a book for me, but I had to catch him- it wasn't doing an official signing session so I was lucky. Nancy Conrad was wonderful- I got 2 books signed and she was very kind and signed my Apollo book also just below Alan Bean. I hate to complain about a free event, but I wish they would have given out a scedule of what was going on. I called everyone from Lockhead people to the museum to get an ideal of a schedule and no one was able to tell me anything. Oh well, maybe next time. |
Kevmac
Member Posts: 267
From: College Station, TX
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 05-07-2005 10:28 PM
Hmmm.
Don't know where the logistical breakdown was, but I was there from 1630 to 2100 and there were stacks of one-page schedules at the Welcome Center at the main entrance staffed by NASM Volunteer Services blue-vested members. Maybe the word didn't get out that the schedules were available, and don't know if they were being passed out all day. There were multiple Q&A sessions with Tom Jones and Mrs Conrad (along with booksignings) almost up until closing. Sorry these weren't more readily visible.
KM
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jam1970
Member Posts: 310
From: Chillicothe, Ohio, usa
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 05-08-2005 08:02 AM
Yes, the schedule was at the event- but I could not get the information before the event to plan the time of our visit. The schedule also did not mention any of the astronauts that was there other than Tom Jones and one other in the morning. The website stated that the kids could met the astronauts and lists the time to be there from 4pm to 9pm although all the astronauts were in the morning except Tom Jones. I came from Ohio- it was a long trip- just a little dissapointed. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42986
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-08-2005 09:47 AM
I think part of the confusion may have been caused by their being two events promoted. There was a Space Day Family Night scheduled, that began at 4:00pm and ran through 9:00. There was also "Space Day" itself, which began (for the public) at 10:00am. Both events appeared on the National Air and Space Museum's website, and I believe, on SpaceDay.com as well. | |
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