posted March 20, 2008 02:03 PM               

T-Minus 4 Years and Counting... Until America's Launch

Americans in Orbit-50 Years Inc. Announces Astronaut Selection!

Americans in Orbit-50 Years was founded to commemorate the first U.S. manned orbital space flight and to establish a national education outreach program. For decades, American universities had access to space in order to conduct space science experiments and allow future engineers valuable hands-on experience. This access to space has dwindled over the last few years to virtually zero.

Americans in Orbit-50 Years, is proceeding with plans to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Friendship 7 mission with "America's Launch". We plan to launch two astronauts, and up to 10,000 lbs. of space science experiments in Feb. 2012. After the initial launch, we plan to launch on a regular basis so engineering students will continue to have the opportunity to work on space science experiments and small satellites.

In partnership with the National Space Science Education Program, the project will not be limited to universities. There will also be programs for high school and elementary students. Craig Russell, President of Americans in Orbit-50 Years, stated, "The importance of maintaining our leadership in space exploration is directly related to our leadership in the world, and the surest way to accomplish this is to inspire and engage the youth of America to become a part of mankind's greatest challenge, the exploration of the universe."

Two (2) astronauts have now been selected as the primary crew for the mission: Dr. Howard Chipman (Commander) and Veronique Koken (Second-in-Command). Dr. Chipman, an experienced pilot, has participated in cosmonaut training in Russia. Co-Pilot Koken's background includes aeronautics, physics, and education. She is currently flight training with Commander Chipman in the L-39 jet.

As an affiliate of the National Space Society (NSS), Mr. Russell and the crew of Americans in Orbit-50 Years, plan to present the project at the next NSS Conference in Washington D.C. on May 29-June 1. This will be a great opportunity for those wishing to meet the astronauts and Mr. Russell.

Final decisions have been made on the construction of the spacecraft. A U.S. aerospace company will be selected to build both the manned capsule and the Space Science Module (SSM). The latest proven technology will be incorporated into the design to enhance safety.

Americans in Orbit-50 Years, is now accepting donations to the organization in order to proceed with their plans. Individuals and groups who wish to help with the program are urged to come forward at this time. All donations are tax-deductible and, depending on the amount of the donation, some donors will receive commemorative items. We will invite some of the larger donors to participate directly in planned commemoration activities. All donation information is located on the organization's website.

posted March 23, 2008 12:20 PM               

As a historian I love to read about Project Mercury, but that's about it. I shudder at the thought of someone entrusting their life to a 50 year old escape tower.

Let's build on what we have learned from Friendship 7, not duplicate it. This is why Glenn flew three orbits, so we could build bigger spacecraft to do science in space.

There are thousands of young engineers out there that would love to sink there teeth into a project like this, let them go for it.

posted April 12, 2008 11:34 AM               

The RFP for the construction of the spacecraft (manned capsule and SSM) will be sent to U.S. aerospace companies in Nov. of this year.

posted October 16, 2008 09:59 PM               

AIO-50 astronauts, Chipman and Koken will give a presentation on their 2012 mission and the International Space Science Education Program. T.J. O'Malley, Launch Director of Friendship 7, will also speak.

posted December 06, 2008 04:01 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by bcrussell:
The RFP for the construction of the spacecraft (manned capsule and SSM) will be sent to U.S. aerospace companies in Nov. of this year.

---

posted December 29, 2008 09:21 AM               

Russell said the last presidential election was a vivid illustration of the power of the Internet and grass-roots fundraising, and that's how this project may finally fly. They've taken to calling the project "America's launch" because smaller donations from many average Americans will make it go.

"If two million people in the country buy a Cosmic Card, that will build the capsule," Russell said.

The group is also contacting educational foundations, and will soon hire someone to write some grant proposals and a professional fundraiser. He said no one is currently getting any kind of salary at AIO-50, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency. Russell is president, Greg Allison is vice president, and Bob Gamble is secretary/treasurer.

posted August 19, 2009 09:10 PM               

Americans in Orbit-50 Years, Puts Space Exploration Focus on Education

AIO-50 seeks private funding and academic programs to test recovery systems on original Gemini capsule

Americans in Orbit-50 Years (AIO-50) announced today its own giant leap into space exploration by taking its International Space Science Education Program (ISSEP) to the private sector for funding so that America's youth and education is again an integral part of the space program. With budget cuts looming over the future of government-funded space exploration; the retirement of the space shuttles next year; and a focus on Moon/Mars exploration as the next big NASA project, AIO-50 seeks to make space accessible to the ingenuity and creative thinking of America's schools, colleges, and universities.

The ISSEP offers more opportunities for students, professors, and private industry professionals to participate in space-related discoveries, and contribute to resulting technologies. According to AIO-50 President, Craig Russell, it has become almost impossible for students to get space science projects into orbit. "Access to space for universities had dwindled over the past few years to virtually zero," he says.

Photo credit: Americans in Orbit-50 Years

In July, Russell took the first step in preparation for the February 20, 2012 "America's Launch" mission when he transported a boilerplate Gemini capsule from Kansas City, MO, to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL where it is currently on display. The capsule is "on loan" to AIO-50 from Vince Lawrence, president of SpaceCraftRentals.com.

"The capsule is available to any college or university program willing to test the recovery and landing system capabilities needed," Russell says. "This is an exceptional hands-on opportunity for any college or university. The technology to land the Gemini on the ground has been available for fifty years. We have access to the original blueprints - we just need private funding and the academic world to make it work." AIO-50 is currently seeking cooperative fundraising opportunities and corporate sponsorships, to support the school or schools that rise to the challenge.

The Gemini IR (Improved-Reusable) manned spacecraft will use modern instrumentation, computers, and GPS. Two private astronauts, Mission Commander Howard Chipman and Co-Pilot Veronique Koken will launch using the man-rated Falcon 9 rocket in February 20, 2012, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Friendship 7 mission. "AIO-50 will launch on a regular basis, so engineering students from around the world will have the opportunity to work on space science experiments and small satellites," says Russell.

Commander Chipman says, "We look forward to the opportunity... to inspire the young and old alike to a space-faring future for America and the world."

Americans in Orbit-50 Years is a non-profit organization committed to inspiring future generations in space exploration with a dedication to education.

Photo credit: Americans in Orbit-50 Years

posted September 03, 2009 08:05 PM               

AIO-50 Search Over for University to Test Recovery Systems on Gemini
UAHuntsville Helps Focus Space Exploration on Education

In a formal ceremony today at The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Americans in Orbit- 50 Years (AIO-50) president Craig Russell will present a $1,000 check to Dr. Kader Frendi, chairman of UAHuntsville's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE). The donation will jumpstart an unprecedented space exploration project to test the landing and recovery systems for a 21st Century Gemini IR (Improved-Reusable) manned spacecraft. Before a group of distinguished guests that include Mayor Tommy Battle and Mayor Paul Findley, AIO-50 and UAH have taken the first step in AIO's larger mission to launch the first privately funded U.S. space expedition in history with a focus on education. Last week, AIO-50 delivered a 50-year-old boilerplate Gemini capsule to the UAH campus for students to use as a model for the actual Gemini IR.

Last week, Russell spoke before almost a hundred of Dr. Christina Carmen's MAE students concerning this historic opportunity for hands-on experience working with space hardware, and the chance to use their ingenuity to drive a non-NASA-based space program dedicated to education. In attendance was former NASA Administrator and current UAH professor of MAE, Dr. Michael Griffin. He spoke briefly about the importance of enthusiasm and optimism in the future of the space program. According to Professor Carmen, "The students are excited about this opportunity. They are already talking among themselves about how to proceed."

"The technology to land the Gemini on the ground has been available for 50 years. We have access to the original blueprints - we just need private funding and now UAH, to make it work," Russell says, "What university has a better understanding of developing space hardware than UAH?"

Russell also says, "It has become almost impossible for students to get space science projects into orbit. UAH used to lead this charge but access has dwindled to virtually zero". AIO-50's International Space Science Education Program (ISSEP) offers more opportunities to participate in space-related discoveries, and contribute to resulting technologies.

America's Launch is scheduled for February 20, 2012, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Friendship 7 mission.

Americans in Orbit - 50 Years is a non-profit organization committed to inspiring future generations in space exploration with a dedication to education.

posted October 04, 2009 05:45 PM               

This backup crew will be the prime crew for a Q4 2012 mission. EVA will be possible on this mission. This could be the first privately funded orbital flight from the U.S.