posted 04-17-2014 07:06 AM               

Here in Minnesota, a small organization known as Stray Robotics is taking the maker movement to the next level. From absolute scratch they have built a small, one-to-two kilogram rover with its own design and programming and instrumentation. The chassis is based on JPL's 'rocker-bogie'. The rover's name is Inspiration. It's super-cool.

The plan is to actually LAUNCH the thing, using a high-powered rocket, into a remote area of the upper Midwest. Then they intend to operate it through a mission of indeterminate length. The rover has its own pre-programmed smarts and safe modes. It carries a video camera and science experiments. It can be remotely-controlled via a custom computer interface.

This is something that simply would not have been possible even ten years ago. We didn't have 3D printers or Arduino boards or little micro video cameras. I don't know about the rest of you, but when I was a kid I dreamed of doing much more with my model rockets than just sending them up (and retrieving them afterwards from trees). But Stray Robotics have gone and done it!

Please come visit their table while you're at the show. They aren't selling anything, and will be there only to demonstrate the amazing technology they've developed. You can meet Inspiration, Mike, and Cristin, and perhaps be inspired to chase your own dreams.

posted 05-04-2014 11:14 AM               

From stalking space shuttles to tracking stolen space debris, collectSPACE has spent a decade and a half chasing after the stories behind space exploration artifacts. Robert Pearlman will share some of the stories behind those stories, including the plight of the missing moon rocks and the untold tale of a space shuttle tailcone.

posted 05-07-2014 04:57 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Aztecdoug:
I hadn't made it three blocks driving to work this morning before I heard about Spacefest twice on my morning drive radio station KFI640am.

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posted 05-09-2014 10:52 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Aztecdoug:
The weekend is already a success so far.

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I arrived in Pasadena on Thursday afternoon and attended last night's kickoff Apollo astronaut panel. It's always enjoyable hearing the astronauts talk about their missions, even if it includes some stories you've heard before. I particularly appreciated Rusty Schweickart's comments about seeing the Earth from space.

One of the highlights of Spacefest is the chance it provides to see and catch up with members of the space history community in a casual setting. Already I've had some great chats with Andy Chaikin, Michael Cassutt, Francis French, Loretta Hidalgo Whitesides, Amy Shira Teitel and this morning over breakfast, Leonard and Barbara David.

And on that note, I'm off to the convention center to continue the fun!

posted 05-09-2014 08:58 PM               

More intimate than I'd imagined, and really cool to have all the astronauts just sort of hanging out in their booths, signing and chatting. Most were very friendly and conversational (even if you weren't buying a signature). That said, Ed Mitchell seemed to be pretty "checked out" during the whole thing (doing crossword puzzles and scowling a lot). He looked very old and tired. Everyone else seemed happy to be there, engaged with the people they were meeting, and generally enjoying themselves.

Autograph prices keep going up it seems — today, the most expensive signer was Dave Scott (at $250 — but even then, he hasn't inflated his prices quite as much as the other moonwalkers). Tomorrow is when the heavy hitters show up — Aldrin ($600) and Cernan ($300). I'd be curious to see what the level of demand is for Aldrin — I suspect there will be line, regardless. I spoke with one of the dealers there who opined, "he's getting some bad business advice from somebody..."

Anyway, we'll see — these guys signed for free for decades, so it's about time they cashed in on their place in history, in my opinion... It's a free market, after all!

Also, I was lucky enough to catch an impromptu Apollo 9 reunion — not sure what happened to bring it about, but someone got all the guys to leave their little booths and pose together for a few shots. Nice treat!

The day wrapped up with a great talk by Sy Liebergot on his experience as EECOM during Apollo 13. Fun experience!

posted 05-10-2014 06:04 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by neo1022:
What's the line like for Aldrin's signature?

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posted 05-10-2014 07:55 PM               

On Friday, I spent most of the day walking the show floor, catching up with many cS readers and members, friends and colleagues. It was so great to see so many familiar faces as well as put faces to some of the members who have joined over the past year.

(I'd be typing for quite a time if I tried to list everyone I saw and spoke with here.)

I came to the show only desiring one autograph and obtained it late on Friday. Eileen Collins added her signature to an index card, becoming the 85th shuttle astronaut in my continuing quest to complete a set of 355 space shuttle crew members' signatures for a large-format public art project.

Friday night's reception offered a relaxed, if not somewhat slightly crowded-at-times opportunity for some great conversations. I would be speaking out of turn if I shared the specifics, but topics ranged from zombies to the Space Launch System to Jack "Strange Angel" Parsons.

This morning (Saturday), I delivered what I hope was a well-received talk ("Adventures in Artifact-Sitting"), during which I shared some behind the scenes tales of past, present and future collectSPACE stories. At the start, I asked those in the room who among them were collectSPACE readers and everyone's hands went up, so maybe a few of them can chime in on what they thought of the presentation.

(I did, however, swear them to secrecy about the details of the stories I shared — some soon coming to collectSPACE as articles — and to seal the deal "bribed" them with some really cool, free space memorabilia.)

Later, I was happy to join a panel of University of Nebraska Press "Outward Odyssey" authors for what turned out to be an excellent discussion of the scope of the series. Colin, you were missed, but were there in many of our comments!

posted 05-12-2014 11:35 AM               

Unlike in Tucson, the event venue at the Convention Center was a few blocks from the Westin Hotel so I couldn't just roll out of bed to the meeting. The hotel did have a nice outdoor bar which, while not matching the patio of the Starr Pass, did provide a place for gathering. The floor space at the convention center was large enough to allow the astronauts, artists and vendors in the same area.

As noted above, some astronaut fees have gone up, including Cernan at $300 and Aldrin at $600+ (an extra $100 to sign a large item, for example). However, the astronauts, including Buzz, were in fine form, joking and posing for pictures. New attendees included Eileen Collins and Jerry Ross.

There were no long lines, but there was a steady flow. I was able to complete my Apollo 10 crew photo by adding Cernan.

The talks were outstanding. I enjoyed the Apollo panel moderated by Andy Chaikin, the Asteroid panel, and especially the Voyager panel moderated by Jay Gallentine. Robert Pearlman gave a fascinating talk about some unusual aspects of space collecting (he swore us to secrecy). He is an excellent speaker with a radio voice (that's a compliment). There were other outstanding talks by Marc Rayman, Francis French, Robert Brand (with some great 3D footage), and others.

The artwork was out of this world. I enjoyed talking to space artists Ron Woods, Michael Carroll, and others.

It was a pleasure to meet old and new friends, too numerous to list. Of note, the BritArmy & Friends was active, loud, and funny. They serenaded Vance Brand on his birthday and provided some comic relief with the #PinkLittleDragon. They are serious space enthusiasts who have fun.

As with all of the previous four Spacefests I attended, it was the impromptu moments that were the best. Early Saturday morning I went to the art area to see the artwork before the crowds. I get there and Alan Bean, all alone, was doing the same thing. We exchanged comments about the paintings as he walked along and inspected the work of other artists. A few others joined in, but for a few minutes I had an art lesson all alone from Alan himself. Priceless.

posted 05-14-2014 09:02 AM               

Although for me the west coast Pasadena venue is more convenient, I found the Tuscon resort concept with everything in the one place, to have a slightly better "feel". For me, the hotel — the Westin — was a great hotel but limited in facilities, basically one food and drinks facility, etc. compared to last year at Tuscon. However, the surrounding streets of Pasadena offered plenty of choice in that regard.

It is a shame that attendees had to be split into another hotel and then the convention center a few streets away from either. However, that was a minor issue and I would be happy to go to either next year.

It seemed busier than last year — especially for the booths with Eileen and Rusty and initially at least, for Buzz on Saturday. It seemed a little more "cramped" with lines that did form having to branch off sideways, but it created a more busy, intimate atmosphere.

Getting the entire Apollo 9 crew together was a real treat.

I don't know if the increased "traffic" resulted in more autograph/book sales at the other "regular" VIPs. There was a feeling on Friday that most people were repeat attendees who were a little more selective in spending although there were more VIPs to visit. For instance, one of the VIPs I know, pretty much sold his entire stock of books in the first day last year but ended up taking some home this year.

Saturday was definitely busier with "walk in" visitors. Although I couldn't stay for the whole of Sunday, it looked pretty quite when I went down about 9.30 a.m.

The couple of talks I attended were great although attendance seemed a little light.

posted 05-14-2014 09:47 AM               

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Originally posted by ColinBurgess:
...and how it compared to the three held in the past in Tucson.

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posted 05-20-2014 06:57 AM               

I had been sitting on a NASA issued print set from 1969 hoping for an opportunity to have one signed. Since Buzz Aldrin was a late addition to the show I nearly missed the deadline to get an order in to Steve.

Steve graciously accepted my item and Buzz's fee for the autograph at the very last minute. At such a late date, cash was required to complete the transaction. While my wife almost killed me, I trusted the recommendations I read about Steve and sent the goods.

I was pretty adamant about getting a photo of the actual signing to strengthen credibility as I plan to pass the piece down through generations. Steve emailed me a great photo of Buzz signing my print before leaving Pasadena. The package was in my hands just two days later! All of this at a very reasonable price. (Steve's price... not Buzz's haha)

The caption on the print says, "Astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin's faceplate reflects Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong and the Lunar Module."

Buzz signed the photo as usual then crossed out "Edwin E." Steve's friend suggested Buzz initial the altered caption. Buzz did, writing, "BA" underneath.

posted 05-20-2014 12:53 PM               

I think I would have been pretty upset about this particular (and unsightly?) modification. After it, this *was* his name at the time.