Space News
space history and artifacts articles

Messages
space history discussion forums

Sightings
worldwide astronaut appearances

Resources
selected space history documents

  collectSPACE: Messages
  Space Events & Happenings
  8/2013: Bring astronaut TK Mattingly to the UK

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   8/2013: Bring astronaut TK Mattingly to the UK
Nigel Mc
Member

Posts: 182
From: Sheffield, UK
Registered: Jan 2011

posted 12-19-2012 06:42 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Nigel Mc   Click Here to Email Nigel Mc     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
So, this is to try and bring Apollo 16 and shuttle program astronaut Ken Mattingly to the UK for a lecture evening.

First of all, Ken Mattingly is NOT currently scheduled to appear, this is to raise the funds to secure him for the event. Should Mr. Mattingly not attend, all monies will be refunded. This is in line with the law and the only person that can lose money on this is myself.

I have been in contact with Mr. Mattingly's agent and should we be able to raise the amount, we should be able to secure him for a date sometime around August 2013.

The event would be in Sheffield, only around two hours from most major cities. Should all be well, the event would be at Sheffield Hallam University.

I run a space lecture evening called "Something Astronomical," this event would be part of that. It is a very successful event and this event is part of the expansion of Something Astronomical.

As you may know, I recently tried to do this without committing to an astronaut name. However, I had loads of people say they would pledge if they knew the name. So, in cooperation with Mr. Mattingly's agent, we worked out a plan.

The target figure on Kickstarter is now a great deal higher, but this is the only way to do it, if people want to know the name.

Also, before anyone mentions it. I cannot confirm if Mr. Mattingly will sign autographs. This can only be confirmed after securing him.

The figure is high, but hopefully, and with a little luck, enough people will be interested in this event. If you cannot make the event, but wish to support the event, there are rewards starting at £1. I really hope we can do this. Thanks. — Nigel K McEnaney

Nigel Mc
Member

Posts: 182
From: Sheffield, UK
Registered: Jan 2011

posted 12-21-2012 09:38 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Nigel Mc   Click Here to Email Nigel Mc     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Lots of interest, but unfortunately only one pledge so far, so I just wanted to say, Obviously funds are tight at xmas. But no money will be collected for quite a while yet. You would be just pledging to buy your ticket or more.

Thanks everyone.

mjanovec
Member

Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005

posted 12-22-2012 06:45 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mjanovec   Click Here to Email mjanovec     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I think the Kickstarter campaign for this really needs to be re-examined. Even if you sell EVERY package in the £65-£200 range, you'll only end up with £34,000...which is still £9,000 short of your goal. You would then need to find at least 5 donors in the top (£2000) category (since it's pretty doubtful you'd get enough supporters in the £1-£10 categories to make up the difference).

Considering the recent failure to secure enough interest to bring Harrison Schmitt to the UK, your odds of success seem to be extremely remote.

I would be pleasantly surprised if I could be proven wrong, however.

Nigel Mc
Member

Posts: 182
From: Sheffield, UK
Registered: Jan 2011

posted 12-23-2012 04:09 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Nigel Mc   Click Here to Email Nigel Mc     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The odds are low yes, but would you prefer low chance or no chance?

I have had more offers than the ones appearing on Kickstarter from people wanting more details before doing it, I have had more offers of £1000+ than I have of £65-£200.

I am not a rich man, but still want more of these events here, I would gladly listen to any other ideas, but this is the only way I could figure to even attempt to raise this much.

Even if it does fail, I tried and that's all I can do.

Tykeanaut
Member

Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008

posted 12-23-2012 06:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tykeanaut   Click Here to Email Tykeanaut     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I could be stating the obvious here, but I assume you have explored sponsorship from "big business" in Sheffield?

Apollo14LMP
Member

Posts: 291
From: UK
Registered: Nov 2007

posted 12-23-2012 07:38 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Apollo14LMP   Click Here to Email Apollo14LMP     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Pity that the fees are so high...

I would gladly have gone to the moon and talked to everyone about it for the rest of my days free of charge, that is just me however. I may have started to charge for autographs after 40 odd years of signing though...

I personally would pay £30 for a ticket (max). None of these guys are young men now however and I cannot blame them for getting less tolerant of travelling US-UK, perhaps.

Good luck with your mission!

Nigel Mc
Member

Posts: 182
From: Sheffield, UK
Registered: Jan 2011

posted 12-23-2012 08:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Nigel Mc   Click Here to Email Nigel Mc     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Your good luck may have worked.

Over £2600 pledged! Thank you!!!!

Apollo14LMP
Member

Posts: 291
From: UK
Registered: Nov 2007

posted 12-23-2012 09:56 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Apollo14LMP   Click Here to Email Apollo14LMP     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Well done.

Good effort. I do hope this works out for you and I will be able to afford to attend.

Blackarrow
Member

Posts: 3120
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 12-23-2012 05:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Blackarrow     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I would still like to know when in August this event is likely to take place. I'm sure I'm not alone in being unwilling to pledge money to attend an event which may take place when my wife and I are away on holiday. I have some flexibility at the moment, but in the next 6 weeks or so I will be booking our holidays, and once that's done you can bring every surviving Apollo astronaut to England for all the good it will do me if it happens while we're away.

topmiler
Member

Posts: 148
From: eastleigh, hampshire, UK
Registered: Jul 2012

posted 12-24-2012 03:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for topmiler     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm in the same boat. A date will be the decider.

Tykeanaut
Member

Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008

posted 12-24-2012 12:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tykeanaut   Click Here to Email Tykeanaut     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I guess this all seems rather negative Nigel but a date is needed if people are to pledge money.

Rick Mulheirn
Member

Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 12-24-2012 12:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn   Click Here to Email Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I hope Nigel does not mind my sharing "end of August" as the time frame indicated to me.

robert_l
Member

Posts: 168
From: Dundee,Scotland
Registered: Jul 2008

posted 12-27-2012 11:28 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for robert_l   Click Here to Email robert_l     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I would also need to know the date as would need to put in for holidays from work, etc.

Nigel Mc
Member

Posts: 182
From: Sheffield, UK
Registered: Jan 2011

posted 12-27-2012 12:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Nigel Mc   Click Here to Email Nigel Mc     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Sorry just back from Xmas.

Yes the end of August is the best I can do right now. The Date can't be known until after.

However, if for some reason the date was not good for anyone - Their money would be refunded - NO QUESTIONS. It has to be by Kickstarter rules.

If everyone who is interested could please pledge anyway, if the funding is not successful your money won't go anywhere but it may help inspire more pledges.

Thank you everyone - Hope you all had a merry Xmas

Nigel Mc
Member

Posts: 182
From: Sheffield, UK
Registered: Jan 2011

posted 01-02-2013 05:43 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Nigel Mc   Click Here to Email Nigel Mc     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Still going - 15 Days Left.

Captain Apollo
Member

Posts: 260
From: UK
Registered: Jun 2004

posted 01-27-2013 06:48 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Captain Apollo   Click Here to Email Captain Apollo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am intrigued. What fee does an ex-astronaut get for this, what slice of your £45k?

Nigel Mc
Member

Posts: 182
From: Sheffield, UK
Registered: Jan 2011

posted 01-28-2013 05:06 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Nigel Mc   Click Here to Email Nigel Mc     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I don't think it would be wise of me to say.

However, this project has now ended but I am working on the next attempt.

carl walker
Member

Posts: 360
From: Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2006

posted 01-30-2013 02:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for carl walker     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hi Nigel, sorry this one didn't work out. Have you thought about joining forces with Ken Willoughby of Pontefract? Would a combination of your assets/skills be useful?

All times are CT (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts

Copyright 2020 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a





advertisement