Topic: 7/24-30: 2017 EAA AirVenture (ft. Apollo Day)
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42986 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-31-2017 07:09 PM
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) release
Apollo Program's 50th Anniversary Brings Astronaut Reunion to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017
Astronauts from most of the Apollo missions that put humans on the moon for the first time are expected to be at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017, as the "World's Greatest Aviation Celebration" commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Apollo program.
The reunion is expected to be the largest gathering of Apollo astronauts at Oshkosh since the memorable 1994 "Salute to Apollo" program that brought together 15 of the men who were the faces of the American effort to put men on the moon. Many of the activities will be centered on AirVenture's Apollo Day on Friday, July 28, which is highlighted by a major evening program at Theater in the Woods.
"A number of Apollo astronauts have already committed to the event, as have other people closely involved with America's space program during that era," said Rick Larsen, EAA's vice president of communities and member benefits who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. "This will be a rare, unforgettable gathering of the people who met the challenge of flying to the moon and safely returning, representing hundreds of thousands of individuals who contributed to its success. You may never get another opportunity to see these people in person, up close, as you will at Oshkosh this summer."
It is expected that crewmembers representing many of the Apollo missions will attend. Those who have already confirmed their attendance include:
Frank Borman (Apollo 8)
Walt Cunningham (Apollo 7)
Fred Haise (Apollo 13)
Jim Lovell (Apollo 8 and Apollo 13)
Al Worden (Apollo 15)
Additional astronauts are expected to confirm their attendance in the coming weeks. Further details on events and schedules will be announced as they are finalized.
chenry Member
Posts: 60 From: Zionsville, IN 46077 Registered: Oct 2010
posted 02-01-2017 12:41 PM
Thanks for posting. I am one of the team at EAA organizing this. There are a few of the astronauts we are still trying to contact, but I think it is going to be a great event.
rjurek349 Member
Posts: 1190 From: Northwest Indiana Registered: Jan 2002
posted 02-01-2017 06:21 PM
Very exciting news. I think I am going to have to try to make this one.
Dooku1996 Member
Posts: 69 From: Terre Haute, IN 47805 Registered: Jun 2013
posted 02-02-2017 09:00 AM
I am considering going to Airventure this year but I have never been before. Is there any chance to meet the astronauts? Thanks!
JasonB Member
Posts: 1091 From: Registered: Sep 2003
posted 02-03-2017 07:55 AM
When I saw Frank Borman there in October, he stayed after his talk and took pictures and signed autographs for everyone that wanted one.
I'm sure it depends on the person and with multiple astronauts attending I wouldn't expect autographs, but you may get lucky and get to meet some of them.
ejectr Member
Posts: 1751 From: Killingly, CT Registered: Mar 2002
posted 02-03-2017 11:10 AM
quote:Originally posted by JasonB: When I saw Frank Borman there in October...
I thought AirVenture (also called Oshkosh) was in July?
chenry Member
Posts: 60 From: Zionsville, IN 46077 Registered: Oct 2010
posted 02-03-2017 11:15 AM
Oshkosh (AirVenture) is indeed the last week of July. The Astronaut Reunion here will be on Friday July 28th. We were also lucky enough to have Col. Borman here for Space Week last October.
ejectr Member
Posts: 1751 From: Killingly, CT Registered: Mar 2002
posted 02-03-2017 11:32 AM
Ah, that will do it. Thanks...
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42986 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-09-2017 05:05 PM
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) release
More Astronauts Confirmed to Attend Apollo Reunion at AirVenture
NASA astronauts Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11) and Harrison "Jack" Schmitt (Apollo 17), representing the crews who made the space program's first and last lunar landings, will attend EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017 as part of the Apollo program reunion on Friday, July 28.
Previously confirmed astronauts attending the event include Frank Borman (Apollo 8), Walt Cunningham (Apollo 7), Fred Haise (Apollo 13), Jim Lovell (Apollo 8 and Apollo 13), and Al Worden (Apollo 15).
The Apollo program's story is one of teamwork and tremendous achievement, each mission serving as a tribute to the accomplishments of those who had served on previous crews. The reunion is expected to be the largest gathering of Apollo astronauts at Oshkosh since the memorable 1994 Salute to Apollo program that brought together 15 of the men who were the faces of the American effort to put men on the moon.
"This will be a rare, unforgettable gathering of the people who met the challenge of flying to the moon and safely returning, representing hundreds of thousands of individuals who contributed to its success," said Rick Larsen, EAA's vice president of communities and member benefits. "You may never get another opportunity to see these people in person and up close, as you will at Oshkosh this summer."
DChudwin Member
Posts: 1096 From: Lincolnshire IL USA Registered: Aug 2000
posted 04-30-2017 08:11 PM
Just bought my tickets. Friday July 28 is Apollo Day and there will be an evening program that night. Looking forward to seeing other cS'ers there!
chenry Member
Posts: 60 From: Zionsville, IN 46077 Registered: Oct 2010
posted 06-10-2017 10:19 AM
Gene Kranz and Joe Engle will also be joining.
Wehaveliftoff Member
Posts: 2343 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 06-11-2017 06:47 PM
This may be the event of the year...
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42986 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-24-2017 02:31 PM
EAA Aviation Museum video
This morning's walk around in the new "Celebrating Apollo" exhibit with EAA's Chris Henry and NASA Glenn Research Center's John Oldham at the EAA Museum that was just installed for the 2017 Airventure Fly-In Convention.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42986 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-11-2017 09:19 AM
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) release
Blue Origin To Bring Its Historic, Flown New Shepard Reusable Rocket And Crew Capsule To EAA Airventure Oshkosh 2017
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh announced another "Only in Oshkosh" first as it welcomes commercial space company Blue Origin and its historic New Shepard rocket and astronaut crew capsule the week of July 24-30. The exhibit will be one of the main attractions on Boeing Plaza during the Experimental Aircraft Association's 65th annual fly-in convention at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
"EAA AirVenture Oshkosh has always showcased innovation, imagination, and achievement in flight, which makes Blue Origin's presence at Oshkosh an excellent fit," said Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman. "As we salute the accomplishments of the Apollo program this year at AirVenture, it is also fitting that we welcome an organization that is developing the next step in the future of manned spaceflight."
On Nov. 23, 2015, New Shepard became the first rocket to ascend above the Karman line and successfully return to Earth for a vertical landing. The same booster made four subsequent flights in 2016 — on Jan. 22, April 2, June 19 and Oct. 5 — successfully demonstrating the reuse of a rocket for the first time. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh attendees will get an up-close look at the historic rocket.
In addition, Blue Origin's exhibit will feature a 1:1 mockup of New Shepard's astronaut crew capsule, which has seating for six people. AirVenture guests will be able to climb inside, recline in flight-ready seats and experience a simulated flight to space created with real mission footage from New Shepard's on board cameras. The crew capsule features the largest windows in spaceflight history, which take up more than one-third of the capsule's surface area offering every astronaut stellar views during flight.
"We are very excited to come to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017 and showcase our reusable New Shepard rocket and crew capsule so everyone can experience what it's like to be an astronaut," said Rob Meyerson, president of Blue Origin. "We hope to inspire the explorers of tomorrow, the ones who will help us achieve Blue Origin's goal of millions of people living and working in space."
In honor of EAA's Space Day on July 28, Blue Origin will give away branded merchandise to the first 1,000 visitors to the exhibit on Boeing Plaza beginning at 12:30 p.m.
kosmo Member
Posts: 388 From: Registered: Sep 2001
posted 07-30-2017 03:43 PM
The talk at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo program was quite enjoyable. Astronauts attending the event included Frank Borman, Walt Cunningham, Buzz Aldrin, Fred Haise, Jim Lovell, Al Worden and Joe Engle. Jim McDivitt and Harrison Schmitt had to cancel. Gene Kranz was present and David Hartman hosted the program.
The talk lasted for about two hours, Buzz Aldrin was a little long and off topic with his answers, to the noticeable irritation of the other astronauts. It was interesting to hear Gene Kranz's perspective on events and Frank Borman and Jim Lovell were hilarious. All in all very nicely done.
Also the patch and pin to the event look very nice.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42986 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-30-2017 03:46 PM
EAA AirVenture video
This year at AirVenture, we honor the heroes and American icons of the Apollo space program as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 1.
chenry Member
Posts: 60 From: Zionsville, IN 46077 Registered: Oct 2010
posted 08-08-2017 01:05 PM
It was an honor to get to work on this project. They were all so amazing to be around, and I will never forget it.