Space News
space history and artifacts articles

Messages
space history discussion forums

Sightings
worldwide astronaut appearances

Resources
selected space history documents

  collectSPACE: Messages
  Free Space
  Team Encounter (public participation solar sail)

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

next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   Team Encounter (public participation solar sail)
Mr. Apollo 17
Member

Posts: 55
From: Ashland, OH USA
Registered: Feb 2012

posted 07-09-2012 07:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Mr. Apollo 17   Click Here to Email Mr. Apollo 17     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I was recently doing some research into solar sails and discovered the "Team Encounter" project. It involved a small spacecraft carrying items sent in for money: photos, messages, drawings, and hair samples. It was to first launch in 2001 but got moved to 2005.

Then, it allegedly fell off the face of the Earth. The phone numbers no longer work and its website is only the home screen. Does anyone know anything about this?

Did this program really steal about $400,000,000 from people and $100,000 from the U.S. government. Did anyone on here order from Team Encounter? Any info would be good. I want to know what happened with this.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-09-2012 11:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Clark Lindsey posted a brief summary of the Team Encounter aftermath on HobbySpace in 2005.
Chafer was the driving force behind the space burial firm Celestis, the predecessor to Space Services, and Team Encounter. Team Encounter was a solar sail project, which offered the public the opportunity for a fee to send messages and memorabilia on a spacecraft heading out of the solar system.

In September of 2004 the primary investor decided after sinking $7M into both ventures to shut them down.

Chafer was successful in his efforts to re-acquire Celestis, but was unable to do the same for Team Encounter.

Mr. Apollo 17
Member

Posts: 55
From: Ashland, OH USA
Registered: Feb 2012

posted 07-09-2012 11:44 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Mr. Apollo 17   Click Here to Email Mr. Apollo 17     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks Robert! So, not that I would take any, but do you think that legal action could and should be taken against them for the $400,100,000 that people and the government payed Team Encounter? It surely is a great project but they needed to give the people that gave them money a response about why they closed.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-09-2012 11:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I don't have one of their boxed sets to reference, but it wouldn't surprise me if the retail kits that Team Encounter sold included a disclaimer that purchase did not guarantee a spaceflight — much like naming a star or buying a plot of land on the moon doesn't legally give you title over either. They are sold for entertainment purposes only.

On edit: Looking at the archived Team Encounter website, it is clear what they were selling were memberships in the Team Encounter club, not a guaranteed spaceflight of your DNA, photo or any other item. Your membership came with the opportunity to send something aboard the spacecraft if and when it launched, but your payment was only for a membership in the club.

By the way, what's your source for the money paid? It doesn't make much sense that the primary investor would withdraw his support after spending just $7 million if they were successful in bringing in more than $400 million.

Mr. Apollo 17
Member

Posts: 55
From: Ashland, OH USA
Registered: Feb 2012

posted 07-10-2012 01:00 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Mr. Apollo 17   Click Here to Email Mr. Apollo 17     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Sorry too many zeros.

50000 (encounter2001.com) kits times $80 per kit = 4,000,000. Sorry. Now I see, okay if it wasn't guaranteed that it would fly, it's okay. That makes sense. I was kind of surprised that no one had ever taken legal action; now it makes sense why. Thanks for all your help!

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