More Newly Discovered Pictures from the Space Center's Voyager Era. The Universe of Farpoint Coming to a Simulator Near You. See the First Promotional Video. Meet the Young Astronauts and Voyagers. Space News. Theater Imaginarium.

The Universe of Farpoint
Coming to a Simulator Near You

A few years ago I wrote the foundational work for Farpoint, a fresh contemporary science fiction universe for the Farpoint Space Education Center at Renaissance Academy, home of the new USS Voyager.  Despite my devotion to Star Trek and desire to forever write missions set in its future, we needed something uniquely ours; something no one could take from us. 

The Farpoint universe is built on a firm curriculum foundation, providing a variety of alien races, technologies, and political and religious nuances necessary for good storytelling. The Farpoint story starts in today's time for the youngest young astronauts in the primary grades.  The storyline ages with the student - ending with high school and adult missions set hundreds of years in the future. 

   

Many creative minds of all ages have since added to the Farpoint lore, most notably Dr. Ryan Anderson, Executive Director of Telos Discovery Space Center.  Ryan was the first to write and produce several new Farpoint missions soon to be told in Telos Academy's Hyperion and Valiant Simulators and the USS Voyager at Renaissance Academy. Talented visual artists from Telos, Farpoint, and Lakeview Academy's Lions Gate Center are busy at work imagineering and programming Farpoint starship controls and digital assets. Who knows, you may even see Farpoint missions at a starbase housing your favorite simulator in the future. 

Of course, you'll want to venture into space in a Farpoint Starship; which is why the space centers associated with the Space EdVentures Cooperative are working night and day to make it so. Keeping watching The Troubadour for news on when and where such opportunities will be made available.

Please take a moment and enjoy this short Farpoint trailer produced by the TDSC. 

Mr. Williamson

Director@spacecamputah.org

Meet Four of Farpoint's 26 Young Astronaut and Voyager Squadrons

Last week was a busy week on the USS Voyager at Renaissance Academy as we launched several of the Farpoint Space Education Center's 26 Young Astronaut and Voyager Club Squadrons on their eight-month Long Duration episodic Missions.

The Middle School Phoenix Squadron captained by a very stern Liz.  They were remarkable in both performance and execution of duty.

Meet Farpoint's 3rd Grade Lion Squadron.  The Lion's are one of five third grade teams.  The Voyager's Mission Control staff are never bored when the 3rd-grade squadrons fly.  You never know what they'll say or do.  

Take the 3rd grade Tiger Squadron above.  They launched on the Voyager Friday afternoon.  The captain had to call Farpoint Station to get permission to leave spacedock.  The communications offer placed the call but made a mistake in his greeting. 

"Hello," the young cadet said in a small, unsure voice. "Is this Port Starvation?"  

Where he got Port Starvation from Farpoint Station I'll never understand, but after shutting down the microphone so the younglings wouldn't hear the laughter coming from Mission Control, I realized the boy had given me an awesome name for a new mission that's been rattling around in my head. His mistake was an act of inspiration.  My new mission will be called: Port Starvation. It is mine and no one else may lay claim to it. 

Meet the 4th and 5th grade combined Dragon Squadron.  They took the Voyager out of spacedock early Saturday morning right after the GoogleCS Programming Guild ended.  Saturdays are busy days at Farpoint. The Dragons posed for this picture as an act of defiance against the evil Chancellor Alexander of New Earth. Yes, the Dragons are on their way to meet a Federation shuttle and retrieve several secret stolen documents. What will become of them?  Only time will tell.

Mr. Williamson 

More Pictures from the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center's Voyager Era. 1990-2012

Jordan Foutin in full Star Trek uniform working the Voyager's IIFX Station in the Control Room.
You see me in the background trying to stay away on the long overnight camp.

The Troubadour is pleased to present three more pictures from the batch of newly discovered photos taken way back in the day when I ran Overnight Camps on the USS Voyager at the CMSEC.  Why does it look like I'm chewing on my shirt collar in the photo above?  Was it a really stressful flight? Was I hungry?  Perhaps I was just trying to hide from the camera.    

Quinn Wongkew and fellow volunteer in the Magellan Control Room

The Magellan Control room was a busy place during overnight camps.  Lots of coming and going of staff and volunteers. It took a strong steady hand to keep it all under control.  

There is something about the Magellan and Dr. Pepper. The Magellan was a ship driven by anti-matter, dilithium crystals, and Dr. Pepper. Why does anyone who works in the Magellan evolve into a diehard Dr. Pepper aficionado? 

The Voyager ran Diet Coke.  Don't remember the drink of choice for the other simulators.

Stacy stealing Odyssey costumes for the Galileo.

The roving camera caught Galileo Set Director Stacy Carrell in the blatant act of thievery.  How could she steal costume pieces right under the nose of the Odyssey staff?  I'm guessing the Odyssey staff and crew were on an away mission when she struck.  The look of guilt on her face is all the evidence we need for a conviction.

Mr. Williamson  

Space News 
by Mark Daymont
spacerubble.blogspot.com

October was a Busy Month for Expedition 53

Astronaut Mark Vande Hei on EVA during one of the first two spacewalks in October. (NASA)

While science experiments and observations continue onboard the International Space Station, so does the unending resupply and maintenance of equipment. This month saw the crew perform three spacewalks working on the robotic arm, and a supply mission docking from Russia.

Astronauts Randy Bresnik and Mark Vande Hei making it look easy.

The spacewalk series was interrupted by the Progress docking, so let's start with the October 5th EVA. Expedition 53 Commander Randy Bresnik and astronaut Mark Vande Hei began the triple EVAs with a 6 hour and 55-minute walk to replace one of two Latching End Effectors (LEEs) on the robotic CanadArm2. The LEEs are designed to grapple objects before moving them. The astronauts also worked on some module insulation and cables.

The next EVA took place October 10th, again with Bresnik and Vande Hei. Over 6 hours and 26 minutes, they worked to lubricate the newly installed LEE, and then replaced a camera system on the end of the arm.

Russian Progress cargo spacecraft approaches the station near an already-docked Soyuz.

Before the astronauts could complete their 3rd EVA of October, Russia attempted to launch Progress 68P to the station to deliver supplies. The launch was scrubbed on October 12, due to faulty equipment on the launch pad at Baikonur in Kazakhstan. The problem was quickly fixed and a second attempt to launch was more successful on October 14. Instead of flying a shortened 6-hour flight to the ISS, ground controllers used an older 2-day approach plan for the craft. It arrived at the ISS on October 16th. The craft (also known as Progress MS-07) docked at the Russian-made Pirs module. 

Astronauts Mark Vande Hei and Pauolo Nespoli (ESA) help Joe Acaba move into the airlock.

The final EVA of October took place on the 20th, and lasted 6 hours and 49 minutes. They attached another camera to the CanadArm2, and completed some minor work. The EVA made the 5th spacewalk for Randy Bresnik and the 3rd for Joe Acaba,

The next major event for Expedition 53 will be a launch of Orbital ATK's Cygnus supply mission.

Theater Imaginarium
The Best Gifs of the Week Edited for a Gentler Audience