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Author
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Topic: Spacefest IV, June 2012, Tucson, Arizona
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Space Geek FL
Member Posts: 20
From: Inverness, FL, USA
Registered: Oct 2011
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posted 10-20-2011 01:01 PM
  
I'm planning to attend this year, a car accident kept me from going last year. I'm really looking forward to it. I plan to extend my vacation a bit and take in some of the sights in AZ. I can't wait. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 10-20-2011 04:28 PM
That's what we like to hear. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 10-20-2011 04:36 PM
Andy (Chaikin) WILL be giving the banquet keynote.Ed Gibson (Skylab 3) is coming to Spacefest. Dr. Britney Schmidt will talk about Europa. Dr. Schmidt was an Arizona undergrad (now living in Austin by way of UCLA) and was the subject of a NY Times article. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 10-20-2011 05:30 PM
Bravo, Kim! You're the best! Thanks for soliciting and listening to people's opinions. I know that's not always the easiest thing to do! |
DChudwin
Member Posts: 1096
From: Lincolnshire IL USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 10-20-2011 07:05 PM
Great news that Andy Chaikin will be giving the banquet speech.May I suggest a topic? How about "Bridging the Gap between Old Space and New Space"? Andy has the perspective to discuss the recent paradigm shift in how NASA does business. Instead of directly contracting companies to do specific tasks with voluminous requirements and regulations, NASA is now leveraging commercial companies with seed money, competitions, competing contracts, and overall goals. Comercial cargo and comercial crew development are examples of this new approach. Planned competition for parts of the in-house managed Heavy Launch Vehicle are another. |
jiffyq58
Member Posts: 218
From: Durham, NC, USA
Registered: Jun 2011
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posted 10-20-2011 08:27 PM
Outstanding news! Don't think you could have done better. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 10-20-2011 10:36 PM
quote:
Originally posted by DChudwin:
"Bridging the Gap between Old Space and New Space"
We hadn't given it a title yet, but that's exactly the subject. |
SkyMan1958
Member Posts: 867
From: CA.
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 10-21-2011 12:14 AM
It looks like a LOT of fun. I thoroughly enjoyed myself at SF III, and look forward to making it to IV. One minor point, and one question... on the SF IV autographs webpage someone transposed Cernan's Gemini mission to Gemini 6, it should be 9. (Do I hear Jimi Hendrix playing in the background?) The question is, is it at all likely that Jim Lovell will be there? |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 10-21-2011 01:19 PM
Lovell will almost certainly be there.
Cernan typo fixed, thanks. |
HistorianMom
Member Posts: 105
From: Columbia, Missouri USA
Registered: Nov 2010
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posted 10-21-2011 01:31 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Spacefest:
Lovell will almost certainly be there.
What a superb event this is looking to be! |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 10-21-2011 02:59 PM
Lovell IS coming, but only for one day, probably Sat. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 10-30-2011 02:48 PM
We've just LOWERED the price on "Galactic" ticket Packages from $775 to $695. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 10-31-2011 09:54 PM
We've added some new events to the Spacefest website. |
DChudwin
Member Posts: 1096
From: Lincolnshire IL USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 11-11-2011 10:04 AM
Tickets are now on sale-- just got mine! |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 11-11-2011 10:18 AM
I just got mine. Now I just need to get my holidays approved. |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1634
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 11-11-2011 10:54 AM
Got mine too. This will be my first Spacefest. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 11-11-2011 11:11 AM
My first one for me too Mel. I did not go to last weekend's show but look forward to seeing familiar faces at Spacefest.
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Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 11-11-2011 01:09 PM
A dozen Universal packages remain. |
Tad_N
Member Posts: 24
From: Dundas, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 11-11-2011 01:42 PM
Got mine to! |
MikeSpace
unregistered
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posted 11-11-2011 09:42 PM
I also missed last year, and after hearing from people like General Duke himself how amazing it was, bought my Universal today. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 11-12-2011 11:03 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Spacefest:
A dozen Universal packages remain.
Two remain.By the way, Friday June 1 is Charlie and Dottie's 49th anniversary. She's coming, also. |
Michael1976
Member Posts: 106
From: Chandler, AZ 85249
Registered: Nov 2011
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posted 11-13-2011 01:09 AM
Just viewed the website for Spacefest IV. Please forgive me as I have never been to one before and gave a couple of questions that website fails to answer... - Can you buy admission tickets at the door?
- How do the autograph sessions work, prices, day, etc.? Also I assume some will have their own booth (Cernan, Bean). Are they approachable for pics and a signature or is this off-limits?
Wish the website touched on more of the "getting around info" for newbies. Thanks in advance. |
Daugherty54
Member Posts: 591
From: Cabot, Arkansas, USA
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 11-13-2011 07:45 AM
I am a school teacher so the high dollar tickets are generally out of my price range. I have been to the past two Spacefests and they are truly incredible in spite of my budget limitations. I just buy admission to the autograph show and the general talks. During the two days the astronauts sign (Friday and Saturday). The pace is unhurried and they will spend time talking to you, posing for pictures and telling stories of their flights! Every astronaut has their own table usually with a helper and they are very ready to please as far as how and where you want an autograph. Prices will be posted well before the event so you can plan your signings. Email me offline if you want more details, but you can look at prices for the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation show and get a pretty good idea. Don't forget the speakers and scientists that are there. They will autograph and sign books for free. Meeting David Levy and Carolyn Shoemaker was a thrill for me. One note - take cash if possible so your credit card company doesn't halt the multiple purchases. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 11-13-2011 10:07 AM
My wife and daughter are joining up with me in Tuscon with me the Monday after Spacefest ends. We heard so many good things about the area we are going to hang around a few days and then drive over to San Diego. Can anyone tell me what the drive is like between Tuscon and San Diego? I have heard there is not much to see along the way. Does anyone have any feedback? |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 11-13-2011 01:16 PM
Don't plan on stopping anywhere on the I-8 corridor in western Arizona particularly the area between Casa Grande and Gila Bend, which is home to transiting illegals, smugglers and that time of the year life-threatening heat (make sure whatever vehicle your going to drive is well maintained). |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 11-13-2011 03:14 PM
Universal tickets sold out. |
MikeSpace
unregistered
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posted 11-13-2011 03:16 PM
I'll probably be driving so thanks for that advice, by the way since I'll be driving from New Jersey; if any east coast cSers want to stuff half of my minivan with space stuff to get signed and ride along, contact me. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 11-13-2011 03:30 PM
quote:
Originally posted by SpaceAholic:
Don't plan on stopping anywhere on the I-8 corridor in western Arizona...
Really, it's not that menacing, Michael. In 60 years, I've never seen a transiting illegal. There's nothing to stop for anyway, unless you're hungry or have to pee. Car trouble is no fun anywhere, and in June, it's hot most everywhere.Admission is $35/day at the door, $75 all 3 days in advance (till 3/31). |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 11-13-2011 08:49 PM
quote:
Originally posted by alanh_7:
Can anyone tell me what the drive is like between Tuscon and San Diego?
Colin Burgess and I did it last year to and from the show, and I have done it in the past too. Not long after Tucson, some of the most amazing saguaro cactus groves you will ever see (better in some ways than the national park) - the cool little town of Yuma (the historic old jail is well worth a visit, and Colin enjoyed playing "Sheriff Colin" there) - the Imperial Sand Dunes which the freeway cuts right through (Sahara-like) - El Centro with its water tank showing you are below sea level at that point in the drive - and an impressive winding drive up out of the arid desert into the forested green mountains then downhill all the way until you glimpse the Pacific and San Diego.You are within a quarter of a mile of the US-Mexico border fence in many places, and it is an odd sight seeing it snake its way across the desert and hills. Gila Bend, a good gas stop, has a weird hotel shaped like a UFO with a space-themed cafe and gift shop. I wouldn't want to do it too often - if Kim asks me back this year, I think I will fly instead - however, it's an interesting enough drive to do at least once, mostly because of those incredible Saguaro. |
Michael1976
Member Posts: 106
From: Chandler, AZ 85249
Registered: Nov 2011
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posted 11-14-2011 12:36 AM
Having lived in Phoenix for six years and done the I-8 drive many times. It's a harmless drive. There is nothing out there but sand but never are you in danger of smugglers. The smugglers stay in the desert and purposely try to avoid people... |
MikeSpace
unregistered
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posted 11-14-2011 03:45 AM
I'd love to fly but I'm bringing an In the Beginning litho, a 1/100 Saturn V, and, if released by that time, the Dragon 1/72 Saturn V to get signed. Several models and bases, and, well, you get the picture... |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 11-14-2011 08:00 AM
What about the I10 from Scottsdale to San Bernadino? Is that route any better? |
HistorianMom
Member Posts: 105
From: Columbia, Missouri USA
Registered: Nov 2010
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posted 11-14-2011 09:27 AM
I've driven both many times -- my husband and I lived in Southern California the first decade of our relationship, and his mother lived in Tucson, his sister in Phoenix. Neither route is a really fun drive unless you really, really like the desert. Both are interesting once, for the reasons you've already been given. If you have a vehicle in good repair with a working spare tire, jumper cables, and you take along water for the "just in cases," you will be fine. I haven't driven either route for a while, but the last time I drove it (about six years ago), cell service was non-existent for much of the trip. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 11-14-2011 10:40 PM
Cell phone service is continuous along I-8, not so much along I-10. Better road, scenery along 8. Quicker, too. |
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 11-15-2011 03:27 PM
From Orange County if I take the 8 I need to drive through San Diego traffic. If I take the 10 I hit Phoenix traffic.Last June I took the 10 out to Buckeye and made a right down to Gila Bend and onto the 8 from there. I came back Sunday morning and just powered through Phoenix on the 10. That Buckeye Gila Bend cutoff runs a little slow with cross traffic and all. The 8 was pretty but it just seemed a lot more isolated for me out east of Gila Bend. Well I guess compared to Phoenix it is a lot more isolated! I love the drive across the empty desert though. Gives me time to listen to old Thin Lizzy and get lost in my thoughts. That is part of the allure of Tucson trips for me. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 11-15-2011 07:29 PM
Jim Lovell and Paul Weitz have signed on for Spacefest IV. |
MikeSpace
unregistered
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posted 11-23-2011 11:31 PM
Had a discussion with Mr. Weitz in November that had me picking my jaw off the ground several times. Some hair-raising stories of saving Skylab. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 12-09-2011 10:14 PM
Dale Cox, one of the Mercury 7 candidates, and former director of Lockheed’s famous “Skunkworks” who figures prominently in Colin Burgess’s latest book, has accepted our invitation to speak at Spacefest IV. He will also be a part of the autograph show, and selling his book “Top Secret Flight." |
Jay Chladek
Member Posts: 2272
From: Bellevue, NE, USA
Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 12-12-2011 12:07 AM
Wow, this is shaping up to be the best Spacefest yet!As for the drive to Tuscon, I just hope somebody doesn't see Charlie Sheen in a "turbo interceptor" on the back roads.  The cult SF/car film "The Wraith" was filmed in Tuscon back in 1986. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 01-03-2012 07:39 PM
New speakers added: - Aussie commentator Robert Brand
- Planetary Scientist/Artist/Author Bill Hartmann
- Editor/Author Colin Burgess
- Mars HiRise Camera PI Al McEwen
- MCC INCO Alan Glines
- Editor, Fearless Leader Rob Pearlman
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