Author
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Topic: 8/2013: Bring an Apollo astronaut to the UK
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Nigel Mc Member Posts: 182 From: Sheffield, UK Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 11-30-2012 03:22 AM
I run a lecture evening event called "Something Astronomical: An Evening Dedicated to Space." We have had many successful events and are now expanding. As part of this expansion we are intending to bring an Apollo astronaut to the UK around August next year. I have made some great contacts regarding guests, I can honestly say the number one guest we are working on has not attended an event like this in the UK. We have the venue as well. However, nothing is free and we need something to get this moving. This is where everyone here may be able to help. Something Astronomical is using the crowd funding website Kickstarter to raise the cash needed to secure guest and venue. If the funding does not reach the target, then no one will be charged a penny. However, if it does achieve it's target, you will have basically bought your ticket early. There are other incentives to pledging your interest now as well, including free photo shoot and more. Once again, you would only be giving your money if the funding is successful. If funding is not successful, it does not cost you a penny. You are merely pledging. I should also say, this event is in no way to rival any other. This is a separate, one off deal. After this astronaut event, Something Astronomical will go back to bringing (as it has since the beginning) scientists and authors. The full Kickstarter page has a background on myself and the event. The guest we are working on would make an incredible event, I sincerely hope people are interested and would like to support this event. — Nigel K McEnaney |
Tykeanaut Member Posts: 2212 From: Worcestershire, England, UK. Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 11-30-2012 03:36 AM
Nigel, it would be an advantage to all to know who we are paying for in advance perhaps? Best of luck, if it's an astronaut I haven't met before then count me in. |
Nigel Mc Member Posts: 182 From: Sheffield, UK Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 11-30-2012 03:53 AM
I would love to say, genuinely, but until he is secured I risk setting myself up for a fall. Can promise though, it is a rare Apollo guest. |
carl walker Member Posts: 360 From: Netherlands Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 11-30-2012 04:09 AM
Nigel, sounds interesting, but I agree with Tyke, we need to have some clues first, since you'd be doing well to joining the likes of Autographica and Aileen and Ken, and it's getting hard to invite people that we've not met before. Can we rule out Aldrin, Bean, Cernan, Cunningham, Duke, Gordon, Lovell, Mitchell, Schweickart, Worden? |
Ade74 Member Posts: 47 From: Peterborough, England Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 11-30-2012 04:21 AM
Nigel, this looks very interesting and hoping another astronaut comes over for all to see and hear...One question, if I sign up but when the date is announced I cannot make it, do I get my money back or because of pledging I have effectively bought a ticket? Like the other guys say, I'm sure we will all get behind this as best we can. |
Nigel Mc Member Posts: 182 From: Sheffield, UK Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 11-30-2012 09:17 AM
Thank you everyone for your interest already. If you could not make the date, your money would be refunded no question. I sincerely wish I could tell you, but I really do not want to jeopardize the whole thing at this early stage. All I can say is, I go to all the events I can and I have not seen this astronaut at any of them. |
topmiler Member Posts: 148 From: eastleigh, hampshire, UK Registered: Jul 2012
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posted 11-30-2012 09:48 AM
Intriguing, you have my attention. |
Nigel Mc Member Posts: 182 From: Sheffield, UK Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 11-30-2012 11:58 AM
£100 pledged already - Thank you!! |
gliderpilotuk Member Posts: 3398 From: London, UK Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 11-30-2012 11:59 AM
By my count there are 8 surviving Apollo astronauts who have not been to a widely-held public event in the UK. Any one of them I'd be happy to meet. |
Glint Member Posts: 1040 From: New Windsor, Maryland USA Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 11-30-2012 12:29 PM
Just wondering, has the astronaut in question necessarily "flown" on Apollo, or was he a flightless astronaut during the Apollo era? |
Nigel Mc Member Posts: 182 From: Sheffield, UK Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 12-01-2012 12:03 PM
Flown astronaut.I am going to try to find out if I can let everyone know. As soon as I know I will let you all know. Thanks. Thank you to everyone to has pledged so far £300!!! |
Blackarrow Member Posts: 3120 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 12-01-2012 01:45 PM
Your answer is a little ambiguous. Is that "flown on an Apollo mission" (ie Apollos 7 to 17)?One other important point. You mention this event is likely to be in August. A lot of people go on holiday in August. It would be helpful to know if you are looking at early, mid- or late August. |
johnpslater New Member Posts: From: Registered:
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posted 12-01-2012 03:04 PM
quote: Originally posted by Nigel Mc: Thank you to everyone to has pledged so far £300!!!
I find it hard to believe that 3 people have pledged £100 when they don't know the astronaut, date or venue? Of the 8 who have not been here before, I also find it hard to believe that £7000 ($11000?) would pay for his fee and other costs? Don't forget that a few years ago only a handful of us were prepared to pay £100 to see Armstrong in Pontefract and recently £60 to see Jack Schmitt! |
madgwick383 New Member Posts: From: Registered:
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posted 12-02-2012 09:43 AM
By my reckoning, there are only six surviving Apollo astronauts who we haven't seen in the UK during the past eight years. Anders, Borman, Collins, Mattingly, Young and Schmitt. Not counting Skylab's Kerwin, Garriott and Pogue of course. So assuming this visit would bring one of those six to our shores, that would be a tremendous achievement and provide an event that should be widely supported. Good luck Nigel! I really hope you can succeed with this and it certainly has my support. |
Nigel Mc Member Posts: 182 From: Sheffield, UK Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 12-02-2012 02:50 PM
Well, here is where this stands. I'll quickly answer a point, the figure was £7000. This was not the total by a long way. The majority of this would have merely secured the guest, then I could have announced the name. The rest would have been made from other means, including the rest of ticket sales etc. However, it became quickly apparent (and somewhat expected) that although interest would be great (and it has, my email hasn't stopped) no one would be willing to back unless they had the name. Totally understandable. So in an effort to make this work, I worked with the agent and details aside, I could announce who it would be, however I would have to have ALL the money secured in advance. So I will be cancelling this current Kickstarter page and relaunching it with the new figure as the goal. So, in a couple of days I will restart this page with the name of the guest and I can guarantee interest will be intense. If all this back and forth seems unprofessional, it is, because I have not done this before, but I have to try. I hope everyone understands this. Thank you to all 3 that pledged and the loads that emailed me with very very generous offers! Hopefully, you will pledge again. Thanks everyone. |
Sy Liebergot Member Posts: 501 From: Pearland, Texas USA Registered: May 2003
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posted 12-09-2012 12:54 PM
Please don't ignore the Apollo era flight controllers. |
topmiler Member Posts: 148 From: eastleigh, hampshire, UK Registered: Jul 2012
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posted 12-10-2012 12:27 AM
Absolutely Sy, let's get some Trench guys over. More thrilling stories than a public library! |
Nigel Mc Member Posts: 182 From: Sheffield, UK Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 12-10-2012 03:37 AM
I won't forget, would love to get Sy over for Something Astronomical.New developments coming very soon. It has taken a while to do the sums. |
Paul23 Member Posts: 836 From: South East, UK Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 12-10-2012 05:10 AM
Sorry to de-rail but I agree with the point about flight controllers. It's been great at recent Autographicas to have the likes of Gerry Griffin and Jerry Bostick over. |