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Author
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Topic: Magic and Menace of SpaceShipOne (Binnie)
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328KF
Member Posts: 1316
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 12-01-2020 10:01 AM
   
SpaceShipOne test pilot and commercial astronaut Brian Binnie has released a new book about his flying experience and his work with the SpaceShipOne project at Scaled Composites. From the looks of it, he has written an insightful, behind the scenes account of the project and the people involved.Limited to 500 copies (his website indicates there won't be any more printings), the book is signed and personalized, and comes with several signed photos and a postmarked cover flown to space aboard the spacecraft for $43 US/$100 overseas. Orders can be placed at brianbinnie.net. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46550
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-03-2020 10:51 AM
I am looking forward to reading the book and that alone would have been enough to get me to order, but the personalization and flown postcard really makes this a fantastic deal. |
Greggy_D
Member Posts: 997
From: Michigan
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 12-03-2020 11:30 AM
It's a phenomenal deal and I just ordered one. Thank you for making us aware of this opportunity. |
Michael Clemente
Member Posts: 198
From: Atco, New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 12-03-2020 06:27 PM
I have to agree. Great deal. Thanks for making us aware of this limited book. |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1725
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 12-04-2020 07:53 AM
Another reason why I love cS! Just ordered my copy. |
David C
Member Posts: 1277
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 12-04-2020 02:03 PM
I’ve just ordered a copy. Just to clear up any confusion though, the website does indicate that a softback printing can be anticipated in the future from Amazon. |
328KF
Member Posts: 1316
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 12-04-2020 05:48 PM
Yes, I see that now at the bottom of the page. Good catch, because further up he writes: However, I have decided to limit the printing to just 500 books, so once they're sold, I'm not planning on any future ones. At the bottom of the page it reads: Future Editions - None planned. The Hardback Book will remain a 'Limited Edition' and are numbered 1 thru 500. Eventually, a softback version and E-Book, will be made available... |
David C
Member Posts: 1277
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 12-05-2020 01:12 PM
Yeah it could have been clearer. |
JLR1
Member Posts: 79
From: Cincinnati, OH
Registered: Oct 2008
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posted 12-26-2020 08:23 AM
I purchased a copy a couple of weeks ago for the $43 price. Two days ago I received an email that my book was shipping but also requesting an additional $10 to cover additional expenses/fees. Have others received this email? Thoughts?
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GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2714
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 12-26-2020 08:39 AM
Mine has not shipped yet as far as I know but I was asked for an additional $9 for shipping. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 3256
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 12-26-2020 09:19 AM
Nothing heard yet from my order being shipped, however, I did get an email from Binnie clarifying the order after PayPal said my three book order had already been paid for!!! They had not, from what I could see, so I used another payment method. |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1725
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 12-26-2020 09:48 AM
I received an email telling me my book had shipped and explaining the higher cost and request for an additional $10, which I was happy to pay. I'd received an email 3 or 4 days earlier telling me there would be an additional $3 cost, but as they are struggling to manage cost (which I understand) that ballooned into $10. Looking forward to getting my copy! |
micropooz
Member Posts: 1589
From: Washington, DC, USA
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 12-26-2020 10:19 AM
No further emails here so far since the original receipt for $43 back on Dec. 1. |
David C
Member Posts: 1277
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 12-26-2020 03:47 PM
I had a bit of a to and fro with Brian on this. For us original $43 guys, I think it should be an extra $9 each for him to break even. Comms is a bit tactically silent, but he seems to be getting through the orders. I’m sure it will be worth it. |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1215
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 12-26-2020 03:48 PM
Just received mine today — what a great book... and the pages filled with a handful of surprise signed post cards etc. my copy is #205. (So he is only halfway through the limited edition of 500, and has a ways to go yet). Don't forget, Brian is doing this on his own, a one man band. And he is personalizing each inscription with unique comments. (I got one for my son, #206, and his inscription sentiment is different than mine. A lot of thought is going into each inscription.) So patience are in order. But worth the wait. And the book itself? So far, fantastic.  
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SkyMan1958
Member Posts: 1067
From: CA.
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 12-26-2020 05:54 PM
I just got mine today, #438, so there shouldn't be too many to go. It looks like a fun book, with assorted goodies. |
JLR1
Member Posts: 79
From: Cincinnati, OH
Registered: Oct 2008
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posted 12-29-2020 03:45 PM
I received #394/500 today. Very pleased with the book and all the signed extras! |
Greggy_D
Member Posts: 997
From: Michigan
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 12-30-2020 01:08 PM
quote:
Originally posted by micropooz:
No further emails here so far since the original receipt for $43 back on Dec. 1.
Same here.
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mercsim
Member Posts: 239
From: Phoenix, AZ
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 12-31-2020 02:26 PM
Mine showed up today. I paid for it Dec 3. There was some miscommunications with the website not taking orders properly which could be slowing them down a bit. Its great! Lots of signed goodies and the book itself is beautiful. |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1725
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 12-31-2020 02:31 PM
Received mine today (#433) and am very impressed!! I just thumbed through it to find all the goodies, but as soon as I finish Chris Petty's book, this one goes to the top of the pile!
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GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2714
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 01-05-2021 05:21 AM
Mine arrived as well with the extras. Well worth the wait and well put together. |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 2048
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 01-05-2021 07:20 AM
Brian Binnie is now offering a second printing of 100 copies at $55 plus shipping. This second edition contains all the goodies from the first and can be personalized as described above. |
TopWorldBooks
New Member Posts: 6
From: Hinesburg, VT USA
Registered: Jan 2016
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posted 01-05-2021 12:43 PM
Beautiful book arrived today. Can someone tell me where the limitation number is? |
JohnPaul56
Member Posts: 224
From: Montclair, NJ, USA
Registered: Apr 2010
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posted 01-05-2021 08:14 PM
The book looks amazing!!! I ordered it as soon as I saw the post. I did receive an email from Brian stating how he was overwhelmed with the orders. I believe my copy will be coming in this second printing!! Can't wait!!!! |
Greggy_D
Member Posts: 997
From: Michigan
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 01-05-2021 11:46 PM
Still nothing here. No notification regarding shipping. People that ordered after me have received their books. |
thump
Member Posts: 577
From: washington dc usa
Registered: May 2004
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posted 01-07-2021 02:40 PM
I received mine today, #451 of 500. I'm very happy with all of the extras, and look forward to reading. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 3256
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 01-07-2021 03:27 PM
Nothing here after ordering around Dec. 9-10 or so. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1338
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 01-07-2021 04:29 PM
I received my book today. #207 of 500. This book feels and reads like a college text book crammed full of terms and information. Then you add in the flown postcard and photos that he has placed at intervals throughout the book make it a real treat. It is a bargain at fifty bucks. |
328KF
Member Posts: 1316
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 01-07-2021 04:46 PM
#380 on the deck here, although he numbered it 380/400. So I guess that makes mine more rare! |
Pete Sarmiento
Member Posts: 74
From: Fort Washington, MD, USA
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 01-09-2021 12:19 PM
Mine just arrived this afternoon. My book number is 454. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46550
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-10-2021 03:37 PM
I haven't had a chance to dive into the book (no. 386 of 500) yet, but a quick flip through shows it has a wealth of information and anecdotes about SpaceShipOne, including an interesting side story about the display of the vehicle in the National Air and Space Museum.Being in Mojave for the first SpaceShipOne spaceflight in June 2004 ranks high among my personal favorite experiences. It felt that day as if Mojave was about to become the new Kitty Hawk. There was a mix of enthusiasm and trepidation in the air that gave off the real sense that we were all witnessing history being made. |
fredtrav
Member Posts: 1760
From: Birmingham AL
Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 01-13-2021 08:21 AM
#453 arrived yesterday. Good looking book and nice "extras." |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 3256
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 01-13-2021 09:11 AM
My order is still a mess. I had to re-order the same order from December and used PayPal once again for three book orders. When doing so with PayPal, after all had been finished, PayPal told me, like beforehand, that this particular order "had already been processed and paid for," however, once I got back online to my PayPal account, the second order did go through successfully with the payment approved. Very confusing, but in going back to the first re-order, I used a credit card successfully for the first order since I never did see the transaction on my PayPal account. Now I get a notice from the book handling firm advising me that there will be an additional charge of miscalculation fees, which is only a few bucks more (no big deal) and that I will get an email from them with a new invoice! I have no idea where I stand now with them and no email yet. Oh well, I'm a very patient person, so hopefully all would be fine, I hope, but I don't even know if I paid two to three times more for the initial three book order placed last month. Bear with me for not explaining it to well. |
Greggy_D
Member Posts: 997
From: Michigan
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 01-13-2021 11:22 AM
Ken, why did you re-order?Personally, I received an e-mail from Brian over the weekend thanking me for my patience and he also gave me the tracking number for my shipment. I was also asked to chip in some dollars to cover the extra costs and I did so immediately. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 3256
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 01-13-2021 12:18 PM
I'm not upset with Brain as it's probably a PayPal concern issue, however, I had to re-order when PayPal said my first order had been processed/paid for when it was not, meaning, that my payment was not processed in my PayPal account.So I wanted to make sure the order had been paid for and used a credit card for a re-order since my records did not show a processed payment for the first order, even checking after a two to three weeks afterward. Now my PayPal account, weeks later, did show that a second re-order had been processed and paid for, even though, PayPal was telling me online that — once again — it was in fact "processed and paid for" both times, when it wasn't early on. I didn't mean to imply anything negative about Brian, however, I am still awaiting for an update email with a new invoice. |
thisismills
Member Posts: 433
From: Michigan
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 01-13-2021 01:48 PM
Does anyone know how many of the "Flight 2" postcards were carried? There was a set of three numbered to 199 that contained the same card as offered here, but instead Brian's signature is in red and without hand-written flight details.  
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Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 3256
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 01-15-2021 09:53 AM
Just got my mailed book order at my doorstep from Black Sky Enterprise this morning. Everything looks great and I do appreciate the extras (thanks Brian!) and boy are the books heavy to ship, huh. My book numbers are 491-493 of 500.The postcards of SpaceShipOne with Sept. 29, 2004 postal cancels appear not to be flown, even though signed by Brian, as I don't see a serial number on mine with no certificate of any kind. I guess only the first 199 of them were flown, correct? |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1215
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 01-15-2021 10:02 AM
Ken, I had the same question, so I emailed Brian to ask. Despite not being numbered, all the signed postcards sent with the books flew. Here is his response to me: Hi Richard, you're right we initially provided a "flight certification" but the effort was laborious and after a while, it just wasn't deemed practical. I can assure you these postcards flew with, as I remember them unpacking them in a hurry so that they could get the PO Stamp. I am also assuming that 199 numbering was as a subset to simply pair up that set of three postcards from three separate dates and the different flights. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 3256
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 01-15-2021 11:50 AM
Thanks Rich for that update, however, I wish that some sort of flown certification — even if just a simple one — could be included with each postcard, if not just a copied letter. In thinking back to the actual flight-time period of the early 2000's, my space cover firm along with another company jointly arranged to have SpaceShipOne/Two postal flight day cancellations applied on our own materials for the first missions at Mojave, California. With those postmark items, Rich, I do recall obtaining a few of the actual same-type postcards, but none were signed. But I am sure none of those were flown/carried on any of the pioneering SpaceShipOne/Two vehicles. |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1215
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 01-15-2021 12:21 PM
Agreed, Ken. But it is what it is. I bought the package for the book, anyway and the extras are just nice for me to have with the book. The postcard will be my permanent bookmark for it. |
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