It has been another busy week here at The Troubadour. Our staff has been working long eleven hour days keeping the world sane and functioning within normal parameters. Please forgive the shortage of posts. Saving a generation from the ravages of ignorance is time consuming. I'm sure you understand.
Shall we move on?
An Update from Our Friends at Dream Flight Adventures
Gary Gardiner is the president of Dream Flight Adventures, a company in the Space EdVenture simulator business headquartered in Pennsylvania. He sent the following update on the construction of DFA's newest simulator, the IKS Buccaneer.
IKS Buccaneer Construction Update
Ahoy maties! ‘Tis time to spin a yarn and tell ye the tale of the IKS Buccaneer. She’s a beauty of a ship, you see… or at least she will be. Today, well, she’s a bit covered in sawdust… but very pretty sawdust, mind you! Only the best sawdust will do fer such a majestic ship, set to sail the seven seas and the infinite expanse of imagination.
It began as most tales do, when transforming a dream into something real—something you can see and touch. You dream, you draw, but eventually it comes time to clear out the clutter and start putting hammer to nail. Here we see the metal floor track, specifically designed to catch the Buccaneer when it returns to Stewart Elementary after exploring the universe.
Then up go the wall frames, and out goes the sink—no time for doing dishes when there’s a universe to protect!
Here’s the tiered platform going in—allowing the crew to work collaboratively as they face untold dangers and overcome unimaginable challenges.
It’s always fun seeing how the project comes together and takes shape in the real world. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as the IKS Buccaneer gets ready for launch!
Space News
by Mark DaymontVoyager's Club Educator
From his blog: Spacerubble.blogspot.com
50 Years Ago: First Astronaut Fatality
Theodore C. Freeman (Captain, USAF) - official NASA portrait.
It was an ironic surprise this weekend, when I was searching out some more events to mark the 50 anniversary of events in the space program, to learn a bit about Theodore Freeman. His passing on October 31, 1964, was the first American astronaut to die in a space related incident (flight training). He was killed when a large bird collided with his engine intake on his T-38 jet trainer, which was used by NASA for flight proficiency and quick travel for astronauts. While trying to land his disabled jet, his engine quit and his plane plunged into the ground while he attempted to avoid hitting buildings at Ellington AF Base near Houston.
Third selection of astronauts. Freeman is standing near the middle.
Freeman was born in 1930, and became a test pilot in the US Air Force. After becoming a test pilot, he applied for astronaut training and was selected in the third group in October 1963.
Freeman (foreground) and other astronauts training to eat food packs in microgravity aboard a NASA "Vomit Comet" training aircraft. Beside him is (far left) Charlie Bassett, who was killed two years later in another T-38 accident before his first space flight. Between them is Buzz Aldrin, who would later be the second man to set foot on the Moon.
Aldrin (left) and Freeman (right) training in Gemini spacesuits.
NASA T-38 training jets.
Over this last week, 50 years to the day, another test pilot was killed preparing for space flight when co-pilot Michael Alsbury died in the crash of Virgin Galactic's SpaceShip Two.
SpaceShip Two Crash Probably Pilot Error
Long range camera view of Spaceship Two with twin tail booms rotating up. Credit: SpaceflightNow.com/Clay Center Observatory/Virgin Galactic.
It's a fact: right after the motor ignited, SpaceShipTwo's twin-boom tails began rotating into the position used for descending into the atmosphere from space, causing the craft to become unstable and break apart. While the possibility exists that the cause was pilot error, the chief of the National Transportation Safety Board does not want anyone jumping to conclusions. The investigations will continue for some time, and engineers and scientists will be poring over the data from the flight recorders and cameras. However, this development helps move the concern away from the motor itself.
It seems that the lever used to release the booms was activated by the co-pilot, who died in last week's crash. The pilot was able to free himself as the craft came apart, and safely parachuted to the ground. He suffered injuries from the accident and is recovering in the hospital.
Atlas V makes 50th Launch!
Atlas V rocket on the pad at Launch Complex SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral. Credit ULA/Spacenews.com
During this week of tragic space news, there have been many successful space events. Earlier this week we have a successful return of the Dragon cargo spacecraft and the launch of a Russian Soyuz Progress spacecraft to the ISS. On Wednesday, there was a very successful launch and milestone for the Atlas V rocket series: the 50th successful launch!
Launched by United Launch Alliance, the Atlas V took off from SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral, Florida, and lifted the GPS-2F satellite into orbit.
A Prescription for Pizza?
DSC's Todd Rasband moonlights at Pier 49 Pizza in Provo. He sent this in for The Imaginarium but I thought it was good enough for a mention of its own. An employee of Southwestern Obstetrics and Gynecology came into his store with a prescription for a pizza filled out by Dr. Dewey. Being an avid fan of The Imaginarium and understanding how miserable, dull, and boring life would be without imagination and creativity, Todd and his associates rewarded them with a $0 charge. Todd knows to encourage imaginarium whenever possible. Good going Todd!
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