|
Author
|
Topic: Spacefest IV, June 2012, Tucson, Arizona
|
albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 07-19-2011 10:07 AM
   
quote:
Originally posted by ColinBurgess:
I know that cost is probably the impediment, but what are the chances of getting Valery Bykovsky and Valentina Tereshkova (Vostok 5 and 6) along?
I am a HUGE proponent of bring cosmonauts to Spacefest, but the two major hurdles are: - Cost.
- and more so, getting the Visa's squared away.
As most know of my relationship with Yury Usachev you'll understand my feelings for them. But this point also brings up the guy who used to make it all possible: Rex Hall. And makes me sad remembering he is not with us anymore. One of THE finest. If MME. Tereshkova is viable, it would be nice to see her traveling companion/interpreter Elena as well. As the curator of Star City she alone is well worth the time to sit and chat with. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
|
posted 07-23-2011 03:00 PM
Spacefest 4 is now scheduled for five days, May 29 (Tuesday) - June 3 (Sunday) to accommodate extra tours, talks and setup. - Tuesday - Arrivals
- Wednesday - AV, Decorator, Art Setup, Tours
- Thursday - Decorator, vendor, art setup, Tours, Golf, evening talks, VIP reception
- Friday - Regular day
- Saturday - Regular day
- Sunday - Short day, departures
This way it'll leave more time for tequila, s'mores, bacon and the water slide. Make a vacation of it! |
4tr
Member Posts: 129
From: Scituate, Massachusetts
Registered: Sep 2000
|
posted 07-23-2011 04:43 PM
This will be my first Spacefest, but no Friday or Saturday tours? |
icarkie
Member Posts: 618
From: BURTON ON TRENT /England
Registered: Nov 2002
|
posted 07-24-2011 04:11 AM
quote:
Originally posted by albatron:
But this point also brings up the guy who used to make it all possible: Rex Hall. And makes me sad remembering he is not with us anymore.
Well said Al... |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
|
posted 07-24-2011 09:10 AM
Friday and Saturday are taken up with the autograph and dealer shows, the lectures and discussions, and lunch and dinner with the speakers and astronaut guests. Having the tours the days before the "main event" gives you plenty of time to enjoy them without feeling like you're missing something else. The Thursday tours at Spacefest III lasted the better part of the day, getting us home in time to shower and change for the astronaut reception. I think this type of scheduling works very well and allows you to get the most out of your time at Spacefest. |
4tr
Member Posts: 129
From: Scituate, Massachusetts
Registered: Sep 2000
|
posted 07-24-2011 09:44 AM
Thanks for the information. As I mentioned, this will be our first Spacefest, but there are two or three places we we really want to visit while there. Depending on our travel plans, Wednesday might be a bit rushed for us, leaving only Thursday for an organized tour. All this means, really, is that we'll have to plan our own tours. Already it's clear it will be a challenge fitting everything in and not feeling like we've missed anything. |
jiffyq58
Member Posts: 218
From: Durham, NC, USA
Registered: Jun 2011
|
posted 07-24-2011 10:40 AM
It is a challenge trying to choose among the wealth of riches that Spacefest offers up. Sometimes you just have to make a call when there are two or three things happening at the same time and you would ideally like to do them all. I ended up missing a couple of talks I really wanted to see this past time because of some poor planning on my part. It's not gonna happen that way next year! |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
|
posted 07-24-2011 03:03 PM
We're going to try to space things out a little more, so your choices will be easier. The Mt. Lemmon Sky Center tour will be on Thursday evening.UPDATE: Looks like Wednesday evening |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
|
posted 07-24-2011 04:39 PM
Kim, if I may make a suggestion: As a result of the "embarrassment of riches" that Spacefest has to offer, it's inevitable that there are two, and sometimes three, talks going on simultaneously, each of which would be fascinating to hear. It's hard to pick the "right" one to go to... and in some cases at the last Spacefest, technical difficulties made it impossible for the speaker to go through his or her materials. It was very frustrating to have made the "wrong" choice for a couple of the talks, and not wanting to embarrass the speaker by walking out in the middle of them.At almost every conference at which I have spoken or attended, registered attendees for the event were either given or could buy a CD which contains the PowerPoint presentations for all of the speakers. I know that a number of this year's presenters would not permit themselves to be recorded. However, I would think that they could at least share a copy of their slides - even an edited-down version, if they're afraid of unpublished data leaking out. That way, attendees would be able to learn something about each presentation even if they couldn't attend in person. I know it adds one more logistical item for your staff to handle, but I think it would greatly add to the value of Spacefest as an educational event. |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
|
posted 07-25-2011 03:01 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Spacefest:
We're going to try to space things out a little more, so your choices will be easier. The Mt. Lemmon Sky Center tour will be on Thursday evening.
Any chance of Kitt Peak in the evening? It would be great to look out of one of their telescopes but I can imagine that driving up there and back in the dark is not a favored option! I'd also say that the Desert Museum was just outstanding and I'd be keen for any more "nature tours". |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
|
posted 07-25-2011 03:17 AM
quote:
Originally posted by gliderpilotuk:
Any chance of Kitt Peak in the evening?
Paul - I observed at Kitt Peak in 2001 with one of their nightly observing program. Cost is $48 per person. You arrive before sunset, so you don't have to worry about driving there in the dark. After the program is over, it's up to you to drive back to Tucson (about a 90 minute drive, if I recall correctly). The only "interesting" part of the drive back is that you are requested to drive partway down the mountain with your headlights off... just using your parking lights. But they had an escort vehicle that you followed, so you didn't have to worry about straying off the road.They use two 16-inch cassegrain telescopes for the nightly observing program, which is a decent aperture for visual observing. If I go back again, I'm tempted to sign up for the advanced observing program, which is a night-long private observing session. If you want to make the most of your visit and spend the entire night at Kitt Peak, this might be a better option... though somewhat more expensive ($550 for up to two people... presumable you could split the costs with another person). Regardless, it should be a memorable experience, if you decide to do it. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 07-25-2011 05:01 AM
Keep in mind that weekend will see waxing moon (full on the 4th) and rising at sunset which will make deep sky observing very challenging. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
|
posted 07-25-2011 04:13 PM
It won't be the best week for deep sky observing, no doubt. If one did the Advanced Observing Program earlier in the week (say, Tuesday or Wednesday), then the moon will set a couple of hours before twilight sets in...allowing some deep sky observing in an all-night session. One could concentrate on planetary (Saturn and Mars) and lunar observing early in the evening, then switch over to deep sky objects later at night. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
|
posted 07-25-2011 04:31 PM
The Mt Lemmon Sky Center tour is cheaper, 3000 ft higher, closer to town, and uses a 32" reflector (vs 16"). Guide Adam Block is the best in the business.Observing at KPNO will have to be a solo project. I doubt they'd appreciate or accommodate a busload. |
Rizz
Member Posts: 1208
From: Upcountry, Maui, Hawaii
Registered: Mar 2002
|
posted 07-25-2011 05:14 PM
We took the Mt Lemmon tour by ourselves, as we missed the sign up with the Spacefest group. I have to tell you, it was a fabulous tour/presentation. I would highly recommend it. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
|
posted 07-25-2011 07:24 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Spacefest:
Observing at KPNO will have to be a solo project. I doubt they'd appreciate or accommodate a busload.
They could accomodate a larger group for their standard Nightly Observing Program, since they now have two domes. (The night-long Advanced Observing Program, however, is meant for 1-2 people.) It does look like the Mt. Lemmon SkyNights program is really nice...and maybe a better option for those wishing to stay closer to town. The price, however, is the same ($48) as Kitt Peak's Nighly Observing Program. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
|
posted 07-25-2011 07:33 PM
We get a substantial discount on Mt. Lemmon tours, because Adam is a guest at Spacefest. |
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
|
posted 07-29-2011 11:09 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Spacefest:
#2-We'll have more speaker panels, throughout the weekend. Subject suggestions?
I have been pondering this and had three lines of thought here. I know one or two or three of them might be more of a stretch than the others, but here I go, it is just a thought. Given the end of the shuttle bring in some history of the shuttle going back to the Lifting Bodies. Theme would include some lifting body folks, ALT and onto the shuttle itself. Of course an X-15 / ALT / STS pilot would be cool, but so is unobtainium. One guest last June flew both the M2-F1 and the ALT though… On a side note, and this is tricky too, Bring in the STS-1 and STS-135 crews. What a hoot that would be. I envision personal portraits as an option on the menu there. Imagine having your picture taken with the STS-1 crew on one side of you and STS-135 crew on the other side of you in a portrait. I imagine it might be like hearding cats though. Okay, now for a little reality... and maybe this has been done before, and I simply missed it, (entirely possible given my mental state since having children)... Given the strength of Astronomy in Tucson, do a theme based on the HST. Soup to nuts, designers, astros that worked on it and the astronomers who parsed the data. Okay, I know these are huge... maybe a little fist bump and a Reach for the Stars are in order here. One can only dream. Thanks. |
Gilbert
Member Posts: 1328
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
|
posted 07-29-2011 01:02 PM
Doug, I agree the HST and astronomy theme is a good idea. The Hubble missions were some of the most exciting to me. Plus, like you said, Tucson is an astronomy town. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1255
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
|
posted 07-29-2011 01:20 PM
Count me in. I will plan to be there. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
|
posted 07-29-2011 02:18 PM
NEW PEOPLE: Tom Jones, Rick Tumlinson, Kim Stanley Robinson have confirmed. |
albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 07-29-2011 03:36 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Aztecdoug:
Okay, I know these are huge... maybe a little fist bump and a Reach for the Stars are in order here. One can only dream.
LOL You dreamer. While this would be totally awesome, the only three surviving X-15 guys are Engle, Dana and, well Neil. Dana is way too ill to participate. STS-1. Young and Crip. STS-135 - still employed by NASA no can do. But holy cow would these be nice! |
albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 07-29-2011 03:37 PM
I hit send too quickly. Lifting body pilots - an excellent idea. Let me work on it and I'll run my results by Kim. |
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
|
posted 07-29-2011 04:21 PM
It would also be fun to have Huell Howser come out and do an episode of California Gold based on Spacefest. He has done a special in Tucson and Quartzsite AZ before, so he has wheels...I don't know if people outside of California know about him, but he is a transplanted Southern Boy who does a PBS series called California Gold. He finds little out of the way sites and attractions and does a 30 or 60 minute PBS show on them. Last night I watched him do a special on Bird Rock. A 1 acre island off of Catalina Island that is covered in bird poop and it was really good. He did one episode up at Edwards AFB on the LLRV with Don Mallick though, so he covers the gamut. |
AJ
Member Posts: 511
From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States
Registered: Feb 2009
|
posted 07-29-2011 04:52 PM
Please o please get Al Crews to go?  |
sts205cdr
Member Posts: 649
From: Sacramento, CA
Registered: Jun 2001
|
posted 07-29-2011 05:20 PM
Wow, Huell Howser mentioned on collectSPACE. Never imagined that would happen! I met Huell a few weeks ago at UC Davis and shortly afterwards he mailed me a copy of the Edwards episode, which I had never seen. He's also done a show on the Moon Trees. Great guy! |
Gilbert
Member Posts: 1328
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
|
posted 07-29-2011 10:28 PM
Wow, Kim Stanley Robinson! I suggested trying to get him for Spacefest 3. That is great news. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
|
posted 07-30-2011 03:34 PM
MORE NEW PEOPLE: Dr. Michael Drake Head of the OSIRIS-Rex asteroid sample-return mission (2016), and Dr. William Hubbard, with Juno (Jupiter orbiter) mission scheduled for launch in a few days. |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
|
posted 07-30-2011 04:33 PM
With the announcement of Dr. Michael Drake and earlier 'sign-up' of astronaut Tom Jones, you have two men who are heavily involved in the robotic and possible human exploration and study of asteroids. Perhaps the basis for a forum on this subject? |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
|
posted 07-30-2011 11:33 PM
Dr. Hartmann, Dr. Durda, and maybe Rusty Schweickart are also asteroid people. You coming Colin? |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
|
posted 07-31-2011 04:04 AM
I'd love to, Kim, but it'll be a while yet before I can make a decision either way. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
|
posted 08-05-2011 02:02 PM
Former NASA advanced stardrive chief Marc Millis (now head of the Tau Zero Foundation) has accepted our invitation to Spacefest IV as a speaker. Marc is also involved with the highly respected blog Centauri Dreams. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
|
posted 08-05-2011 02:18 PM
Seth Shostak, senior astronomer with SETI, has accepted our invitation to attend Spacefest IV as a speaker. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
|
posted 08-16-2011 07:50 PM
Colorful astronaut Mike Mullane (Riding Rockets) will be speaking and signing at Spacefest IV. Mullane is from the first class of shuttle astronauts, and is a three-time veteran. |
Daugherty54
Member Posts: 591
From: Cabot, Arkansas, USA
Registered: Sep 2010
|
posted 08-16-2011 09:06 PM
That is great news. His book is an excellent read and is laugh out loud funny in spots. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
|
posted 08-17-2011 06:57 AM
With Mike Mullane going it would be interesting to see if Hoot Gibson would come. Two of the top hogs from Swine flight.I know Hoot Gibson does not like doing commercial signings but it would be fun to see those two guys together. |
hlbjr
Member Posts: 475
From: Delray Beach Florida USA
Registered: Mar 2006
|
posted 08-17-2011 09:27 AM
quote:
Originally posted by alanh_7:
I know Hoot Gibson does not like doing commercial signings but it would be fun to see those two guys together.
I've seen Hoot all three times I've gone to the ASF show at KSC. He's very accessible at least at the ASF show. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
|
posted 08-17-2011 07:42 PM
I guess I should correct the impression I must have gave.I have met Hoot Gibson a number of times over the years including the last three ASF shows and at the Reno Air Races. I sat beside him at the ASF dinner last year. I can attest he is a hell of a great guy. Approachable and willing to sign anything. When I said he does not like to do commercial signings, I meant he does not like to charge for signing, and at the ASF shows he and his wife Rhea Seddon make it clear they do not keep a dime of the money they charge for the autographs. All of the cash is given to the ASF. So by commercial I meant only he does not like to sign for profit but will charge for charity. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
|
posted 08-18-2011 06:10 PM
Dr. Marc Rayman, JPL's chief engineer for the Dawn mission will discuss asteroid Vesta (Dawn is orbiting it now) and the dwarf planet Ceres (Dawn's next stop.) He will also discuss its advanced propulsion system, at Spacefest IV. Watch this video. |
jiffyq58
Member Posts: 218
From: Durham, NC, USA
Registered: Jun 2011
|
posted 08-19-2011 08:09 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Spacefest:
We'll have more speaker panels, throughout the weekend. Subject suggestions?
I'm going to go back to the possibility of having a Skylab panel discussion this time around. I think it would be cool to get David Hitt, co-author of Homesteading Space, to come and give a talk. Then, for the panel, you could have one or two of his co-authors, Kerwin and/or Garriott, and then fill it in with Lousma, Gibson, Weitz, Carr, Pogue, or whoever you can get. Of course it would be nice to have Bean sit on that panel. And Hitt could moderate it. You could only get four or five of the astronauts up there, but I think you could get that many to do it if you asked. What do you think, Kim? Worth investigating? |
advertisement