posted 11-30-2007 08:57 PM               

The name is Jay Chladek and I am part of that generation that was too young to remember Apollo (although I was apparently conceived just before Apollo 13, so maybe that had something to do with it) and only got his space exposure as a kid watching PBS programs and the Six Million Dollar man. First event I recall watching live was the first ALT test of Enterprise on TV.

I am a graphic artist by training and a budding author currently involved in one space related book project. I've also written two articles for Star Wars Insider magazine related to collecting Star Wars plastic models and model rocket kits.

My main hobby is plastic models and I've done everything from cars, to planes, to science fiction spacecraft, to space models (mostly space shuttles). Only somewhat recently though have my talents gotten to a level I am comfortable with. Given that space shuttles are the subject I like to build the most in terms of real space craft, those are the ones that I have built the most of with my most recent model (a 1/72 Space Shuttle in launch configuration with ET and SRBs) being built for display at the local Strategic Air and Space Museum.

As for space collecting, I would say my biggest collection revolves around the plastic model kits I have which are space and SF related. At last count I have over 30 shuttle kits of various scales stashed away and smaller numbers of Apollo, Gemini, Mercury and Soviet spacecraft kits stashed away as well (I plan to build most of these). I've also been into model rocketry since I was a kid and have a few kits leftover. Nothing I would consider super collectible except for maybe the unbuilt Estes Mars Lander that I have.

I collected shuttle patches as a kid and have two jackets full of them in my closet along with some others stashed away as well. Part of what fed my early collecting was the Star Realm book store in LaVista, NE. Sadly it is long gone today, but not forgotten.

posted 12-09-2007 12:01 PM               

I am most interested in the news, history, and knowledge of the space program. Growing up in Bakersfield, CA, I made numerous trips to Edwards AFB for many of the space shuttle landing and to Vandenberg AFB to see many of the rockets launch (still to this day I am bummed that STS 62A never happened). Living in Nashville, I frequent the space center in Huntsville; once a year I make it to Orlando (I have yet to see a space shuttle launch).

As far as collecting, it began in 1983 and mainly consists of patches. Up until 2000, a large number of my collection was purchased at the Edwards AFB gift shop with the price ranging from $2.50 - $4.00. Now I get them through AB Emblem or other authorized dealers. VERY FEW, but important for my collection, have come from Harry Bernard at Space Country Souveniers in California, and of course the late Randy Hunt.

I really prize my collection of patches. Other interests are Shotokan karate, Iaido, music, physical fitness, and wines.

posted 12-10-2007 05:37 PM               

Being only 10 years old, I could let my imagination take me right beside the astronauts on their missions, and I avidly followed the lunar landings on TV, even drawing my own flight plan and map of the lunar surface! I got to visit KSC twice during the Apollo/Skylab era, but saw no Saturn V launches. Unfortunately, I recieved a car pass to attend the Skylab station launch just as my family was relocating overseas.

My next trip to KSC was more memorable: I was enrolled in AFROTC at the Univ. of Miami, and one day in 1977 we cadets took an old EC-121 to Patrick AFB near the cape and got the full tour treatment of both Cape Canaveral and KSC. My first rocket launch was in 1983, when I attended the liftoff of Columbia on STS-9/Spacelab 1. I saw it go up from the old whitewashed bleachers at the press site 3 1/2 miles away, and it was every bit as memorable as seeing the Apollo 11 moonwalk on TV.

My next launches were the post-Challenger return to flight of STS-26/Discovery in 1988, seen from the NASA causeway, and a Hubble servicing flight in 1997, from right in front of my hotel in Titusville. I also saw Challenger cross the night sky in 1985 after entering a low orbit due to an engine ATO during STS-51F.

My collecting interests are mainly space-themed books, ephemera, newspapers (I bought two albums full of Gemini articles several years ago to fill a gap in my collection), magazines, lithos and even the old View-Master reels. My most valuable pieces are in space philately, where I have all the launch/recovery covers for Mercury thru ASTP.

It's more spotty for the most recent flights.

I also have Soviet/Russian stamps and covers.

I have very few autographs, although I do have the Apollo 11 crew's on a small card with the mission logo, also signed by Pres. Carter and his staff during the 10th anniv. I built almost all the old Revell space kits of the '60s, except the Saturn V; sadly I did not save them so I will have to buy the reissues!

posted 12-13-2007 05:30 PM               

Here's my deal.

Been working in Internet marketing, specializing in virtual community development, since 1995. I work for talk show radio host (and author) Dave Ramsey. He's on 360 radio stations around the country.

I started his Internet dept in 2000, first person hired to work on his web stuff. Now we have 40-50 people that work in that area, including lot's of developers. I started his eBusiness dept in 2001 and launched a subscription-based web site called MyTotalMoneyMakeover in 2003. We have 25,000 members. Teaches people how to get out of debt and build wealth, and everything in between.

I've been almost solely focused on the American Civil War since the 1980s. I have tons of blogs and web sites related to the ACW. Been collecting, researching, writing, etc.

Decided to start exploring my interest, fascination and memories of early space exploration a few months ago and have jumped off into the deep end now. So long American Civil War. Anyone want to buy an ACW library of over 1,000 volumes (LOL)?

I'm big on history, research, digging around on "dusty shelves" or web sites.

I have a Master of Divinity (1993) because I just wanted to learn the biblical languages, and a Master's of Science in Library of Information Science (1990) because I accepted a full-scholarship over the phone.

I publish a new blog called This Day in History. It's a creative outlet for my inquisitive mind, and my way of contributing to the blogosphere in the discussion of space exploration.

I'm meeting great people in this new endeavor and really enjoying learning new things. This is a great community filled with very interesting people like yall.

I live in Franklin, TN - which is an incredible place to raise a family.

Oh, and lastly, I started a non-profit called New Seed of Hope not long ago to help start schools and orphanages in south Sudan and Kenya. I'm also working on a documentary about the Lost Boys of Sudan, in my spare time (lol).

And I'm going to see my first shuttle launch in February! Woohoo!

posted 01-11-2008 11:51 AM               

Luckily, in late 2006 I met Rick Boos. What a fascinating man! He was very willing and eager to share his experiences with me. I was able to obtain some items from him, as well as other members of my family, who share to some degree my love of all things space related.

So finally, with an item for my finger, my desk at work, and my wife's curio cabinet at home I have been able to start a new hobby. I look forward to participating in this community. Thank you for having me.

posted 07-01-2008 08:39 PM               

In my free time (when I have any) I am a free lance artist (Spaceflight is the main subject) and flying sail planes, scuba diving and travel have been my hobbies.

posted 07-17-2008 12:25 PM               

I am 42 and have been into space all my life. Some of the earliest memories I have of TV was watching some of the moon shots (launches, landings, walking on the moon). I have always wanted to work in the space program but have never figured out how to... None of my resumes have gotten an interview, yet.

I am a mechanical design engineer for an engineering company near Birmingham, AL that specializes in the foundry industry. Not anywhere close to the aerospace industry. I have my BSME and am working on my MSME with hopes of working on my PhD as soon as I have my Masters.

I don't have much of a collection, but I find this forum educational and entertaining. I have personally viewed two shuttle launches - one in 1989 and STS-124 just a month or so ago. Loved it!

posted 10-23-2008 10:57 AM               

Best of Luck -- Have Fun

Lisa

posted 01-14-2009 07:12 PM               

I've been a cS member since 1999.

posted 01-15-2009 01:09 AM               

I own my own business now that specialises in lecturing services and the promotion of space to a myriad of places and people from young to old. I've lectured in many places over the years such as the London Science Museum, many astronomical Societies and other groups and I have also lectured for Cunard on the QE-2, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria. I also have a monthly radio slot on BBC radio.

I also own a 6m Mobile Planetarium that I use for educational promotion of astronomy, Space-flight and space science. I also utilise it for specialist and prestigious corporate events.

I have a lifelong love of all things aviation and space, and it is nice to combine my hobby with my job.

I've been involved in one way or another in astronomy and space for 33 years. I have travelled the world a few times and regularly travel aborad for lecturing work.

I'm married with 2 wonderful kids, the wife is a lawyer and cash savvy! So I only get a little pocket money to indulge my hobby I don't really tell her the cost of some things! but the collection groweth.

I also enjoy writing on space and have had items published in BIS Spaceflight Magazine, with more waiting to be published. One day I may write a book, who knows.

I have witnessed a Shuttle launch from the KSC press site which was truly awesome and something I wont ever ever forget!

posted 02-13-2009 06:23 PM            

My work is in medical. I've made a number of contributions to basic science in the filed of immunology, but soon found that while I was facinated by how we work I was more interested in spending my time trying to make us work better.

So I have developed biologics for treating immune system problems, and for treating trauma. As an Undergraduate I had the privilege of working with one of the Candadian Astronauts, who rejected me as a subject for one of his experiments because I was taking antihistamines for allergies! Drat!

In Grad School I co-designing some experiments to fly on the Shuttle with my Mentor in Grad School. In fact he was at a meeting with NASA when the Challenger disaster happened.

After being released into the Real World one of my products was flown on the Vomit Comet as part of an evaluation for inclusion in the First Aid kits for long-duration spaceflights.

posted 04-02-2009 01:52 PM               

My name is Cesar Ponce, I am from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. I have been
collecting space memorabilia (books, autographs, artifacts) for almost
25 years (now I am 41 years old), also when is possible I attend astronaut lectures, autograph shows and space-related conventions like Spacefest.

posted 04-02-2009 03:40 PM               

I only recently began to collect space autographs & covers etc, and I absolutely love everything about it! With the little funds I have, I have started to send letters to astronauts looking for autographs, or else buy them off trustworthy sellers!

I only recently joined the collectSPACE community, yet I am already astounded by the endless amounts of information on here to help in starting various collections, etc.

I am interested in everything to do with aviation, and I want to be an Airline Pilot when I leave school, and I am going to be getting my first lessons at a small airport near my home this year.

I look forward to talking with you all,& getting to know my fellow space enthusiasts!

posted 04-03-2009 09:44 AM            

I am a 49 year old former Marine officer who had a USAF pilot for a dad - he fascinated me about all things aviation and space and thus I got to watch most of the launches from Mercury through ASTP either at home or in school. Read many astronaut biographies and other related material. I have visited KSC, Huntsville and Wallops Island, VA.

A story for you. In 1970, I went on a tour of KSC with my mother, and they let us out of the bus to stand at the big open door of the VAB, where we could see them assembling Apollo 14... and I had no camera. A regret to this day.

I have a Space wall. Photos of spacecraft, mission patches and models.

I am now director of a distribution center.

There is not a day goes by that I don't think of being in an Apollo spacecraft going to the moon. The older I get, the more I think back to all that I have seen concerning the early space program.

I am glad I was alive to see it all...

posted 04-03-2009 01:21 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Philip:
Is there already a collectSPACE Facebook group?

---

posted 06-12-2009 04:40 PM               

I have a passion for space pins, patches and first day covers.

My husband has been on collectSPACE for a while so I thought it high time I joined too. I hope in time to get to know you all better and share my enthusiasm for space.

posted 07-03-2009 10:52 AM               

I have collected space memorabilia since the beginning in 1961. The original goal was to create the largest collection possible but now I use the items I have to teach kids and adults about space science, history and technology. I go into schools, camps, libraries, etc. as often as possible to teach about the wonders and benefits of space flight. I've even written a children's space book. There really is a lot of interest out there.

I'm the Vice President of the Northern New Jersey NSS chapter and a member of the National Science Teachers Association.

posted 08-02-2009 01:12 PM               

My name is Rachel Fuechsl and I have been a collector for many years. When I started collecting, I was working as a radio news reporter in Chicago. I became frustrated with that work and decided to go back to school to study Astronomy. I now have a Master's Degree in Astronomy and am currently working for McDonald Observatory in Texas.

I'm a Public Affairs Specialist with the Observatory's visitors center. In addition to sharing my passion for Astronomy with the public, I also get to help develop some of our educational programs.

posted 08-02-2009 02:09 PM               

Right before the Apollo 11 landing I almost electrocuted myself hooking my reel to reel tape recorder directly to the TV speaker. Fortunately the TV and tape recorder were unharmed. I still have that reel to reel tape.

In college I was fortunate to go on a geology field trip to Meteor Crater with Gene Shoemaker as our guide and found a number of meteorites up the the size of a golf ball.

posted 09-05-2009 03:59 PM               

Now retired, I used to beat kids (I do jest!) for a living in a tough, docklands school in Essex.

In 1963 a fire destroyed my classroom and with it a whole collection of space related charts. Seeking replacements put me in touch with the USIS at the American Embassy in London and began an association that lasted until 1977. During this time I produced a booklet called "Manned Spaceflight" which was printed by the Embassy and which became the 'bible' for the science correspondents of the media in the UK. Consequently, I was on first name terms with the likes of Peter Fairley (ITN), James Burke (BBC), Patrick Moore, etc.. Only a few were printed each year and spares were given out to those who wrote in requesting information on space flight. Tim Furness was one who I like to think I started on the space trail. More immediately I notice that Keith Wilson is a member and somewhere in the attic I have a letter from him asking for a copy of this booklet. Since there were so few printed they must be worth quite a bit to collectors! [I know of one copy of the 1975 edition in the States.]

During this time my school was one of only two in the UK to have a visit from a genuine NASA Spacemobile. (Do they still exist?) The unit was being shipped back to the US having just completed a tour of US bases in Germany. With a stop-over in the UK to take on more cargo the opportunity was taken to allow a couple of visits to be made. As I said, my school was the first, the other being Kettering Grammar School where Geoff Perry (who supplied the Russian data for my booklet) had established the only early source of data on the Russian space programme.

In 1963 I took 12 pupils on an evening visit to the Embassy for the first viewing in the UK of a film on John Glenn's flight. I have to say that though they enjoyed the experience most remembered signing the book of condolence for John Kennedy rather than the film.

Other highlights of this time were 'borrowing' in 1966 a day's food pack from the Gemini programme and being the first school in the country when in 1967 the kids faced a question on astronautics in a CSE examination.

In 1975 I was in Florida to see the ASTP launch. I visited the centres in Huntsville and flew into Orlando sitting next to a NASA computer programmer who was tasked with extending the launch window for Apollo.

I stayed at the Atlantis Beach motel where on one evening I dined with the man arranged all the astronaut trips and once sat next to Harrison Schmitt - he was dining at the next table.

Publication of the booklets ended in 1977 and it was about this time that began to edit the manned spaceflight section of the Guinness Book of Records. This phase continued until about 1983 when Tim Furness took over.

In 1986 I began writing for a UK magazine called "Spaceflight News". Unfortunately this is no longer in existence and its editor has moved onto other things. However, it did give me the opportunity to meet astronauts, most notably Robert Overmyer.

posted 09-07-2009 10:54 AM               

I am a psychology professor at Tennessee Tech University (but my friends tell me I should have been an engineer). I've been an avid space nut, collector, modeler, and amateur astronomer since the mid 60's. I often present at area schools on spaceflight and astronomy in order to promote adaptive coping and problem solving among kids.

A quick summary of some of my warm space memories: breaking two of my toes running to watch Apollo 8 on TV in 1968, attending the Alan Bean ticker-tape parade in Fort Worth, TX just after Apollo 12 (it was cold!), being asked by my 6th grade science teacher to teach class on Apollo 9 (used my own models), jealously watching a family friend become an astronaut and flying into space (Dr. Millie Hughes-Fulford, STS 40).

posted 09-07-2009 07:39 PM               

After a few years of that abuse, I was the chosen one, the be a stay at home dad, and things went on from there.

Married to a nurse (she once worked for N.J. Bell), a son, and a daughter, one a teacher, the other is in Iraq, 82d Airborne. I have 4 dogs, four cats, and no brains.

I remember watching Neil on that unforgettable night, in 1969, like it was yesterday,but the most inspiring event for me, was Ed Whites spacewalk.

I've always flown rockets, wanted to build one like Mr. Musk, unfortunately, I have no money, and my wife keeps refusing to be the crash test, you know what.

posted 04-04-2010 11:18 AM               

USAF:

• 5 years at LAAFB in the USAF STS program office
  
• 4 years at CCAFS in spacecraft launch ops

• 8 years - Spacehab ground ops

• 7 years - ELV spacecraft integration
  
• 2 years spacecraft processing support

• STS - 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 44, 48 and 53 while in the Air Force

• 57, 60, 63, 76, 77, 79, 81, 84, 86, 89, 91, 96, 101, 103, 106 & 107 MDAC/Boeing on the Spacehab program

• Titan 34D-2 and 16; Titan-IV K-1, 4, 6, 10, 7, 9, 23; Atlas G/I AC- 68, 69, 72, 75 while in the Air Force

• Delta II Jason/TIMED, Contour, MAP, ICESAT/CHIPSAT, MER A, MER B; Atlas V MRO, PNH, Kepler, STSS Demo, SDO, Juno, MSL, while at NASA

posted 04-04-2010 12:13 PM               

I now live in the Midlands but I was born and lived in Yorkshire for my first ten years - so thanks to the grace of God I'm an official Yorkshireman!

posted 04-04-2010 12:21 PM               

I can date my interest in spaceflight to 1985, when I was fortunate enough to see STS-61 B launch. During my teenage years, however, I was more interested in the astronomy side of things. I started collecting astronaut autographs in 1999 when I recieved a signed copy of Jim Lovell's book for Christmas. Ever since then, I've maintained both my interest in spaceflight and astronomy side by side.