It is only fitting that he be laid to rest on the day we return American astronauts into space from American soil. Our Fred, a life long space enthusiast, sets his course for the heavens while two others take us into a new age of space exploration. On behave of your many friends at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center and schools state wide we wish you God speed Fred on your final voyage.
Victor
Fred's obituary link
Four of Utah's five Space EdVentures Centers are closed to the public in March - all casualties of Covid 19. Here is an update:
• Christa McAuliffe Space Center: Closed for construction throughout the summer. The new CMSC will open in the Fall. Six new simulators and a new, state of the art, planetarium
• Renaissance Space Academy: Closed for repainting and new carpet in the Briefing Room. All classrooms are getting painted and new carpet. The school's hallways are being carpeted. The school's entrance and office areas being remodeled.
• Telos Discovery Space Center: Closed for public missions.
• Lion's Gate Center: Closed for public missions.
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| New lighting and support upgrades to the Dauntless at Reality's Edge |
Who's Open?
Reality's Edge is Open for Camps and Private Missions.
Having a space center mission itch that hasn't been scratched since March? Your wait is over, Reality's Edge opened two weeks ago with a full slate of private missions and camps in our three simulators, Everest, Dauntless, and Valiant. Of course we follow strict COVID-19 precautions as set out by the State of Utah and the CDC.
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| The Everest at Reality's Edge |
Mission bookings are increasing as the summer camp season readies to open. Reality's Edge has the staff and volunteers on hand to offer our customers the best Space EdVenture experience possible. The CMSC's staff and volunteers are here with us while the new CMSC is built.
Knowing we would be the only space center open this summer motivated us to install several updates to the ships - mostly panels and lights. Several set pieces from the CMSC's old simulators have found new homes in our ships. For example, the Odyssey's front of the bridge air vent covers the Everest's brig hatch. It fits like a glove - like it knew it would be repurposed for us.
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| The Odyssey's Front Panel in the Everest Brig |
Reality's Edge fell off the Space EdVentures radar for awhile as it transitioned to full Canyon Grove management.
I was hired to direct the program several months ago. My goal has been to bring Reality's Edge back to where it was as a full service Space EdVentures Center. We're getting there day by day, especially thanks to the help we've been given by James Porter and the staff at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center. They’ve been supportive in the ship upgrades and and in the staffing of our missions. Each brings his or her own personal touch to our ships and missions.
Now let it be said that I'm no James Porter or Victor Williamson (well James Porter for sure. I may have surpassed Victor's skills years ago as a Voyager Flight Director :) so the CMSC staff may feel a bump in the road from time to time working at Reality's Edge with me. James Porter is this all knowing center director who has all problems solved before even before they become problems. He apparently (according to his staff) has an answer to any question, even if he makes the answers up. Self assured confidence oozes from his pores so no one dares question him.
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| Lindsey Hatch flying her first flight since returning from her mission. We happen to be in the control room eating some classic French bread with Connor Larsen who started the day with me that morning at 8am. |
Now contrast James Porter to me. Some would say I'm just as sarcastic as James, but because of my youth, tend to enjoy the game of Goofball. Whereas James carries the mantle of being the Director of the 30 year old Mother Center, l have more freedom to be myself. This being the case, I forewarn everyone who comes to work at Reality's Edge that they'll be dealing with one of the Voyager's Boys and not to take everything I say too seriously.
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| The Dauntless at Reality's Edge |
Truth be told, running a space center has always been a dream of mine and I take my job and the success of this program seriously. Each of the Space EdVenture Centers has that responsibility, to continue the work and reputation of Mr. Williamson and all those who worked with him over the years. That commitment to quality and the student and camper is paramount and has been so since 1990.
Overall there is a sense of joy, optimism and excitement in the fabric of Reality's Edge. We know we carry the Space EdVentures flag this summer so the pressure is on. We have the talent, the manpower, the simulators, and the vision. Come and join us this summer at Reality's Edge.
See You Up There,
Bradyn Lystrup
Wednesday, May 20. The Dauntless Breaks Free of the Evil Clutches of Covid 19.
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The Dauntless at Reality's Edge broke the Covid 19 quarantine on May 20th and launched with a private crew. Of course the go to mission for most new crews is Intolerance and that's what they did. Now that I think about it. Intolerance could be modified for the present times. The slave could be someone not running from slavery, but quarantine. I have you thinking, don't I?
Maeson Busk was the flight director. Dan Kirkpatrick was the supervisor. Lindsey Hatch was the intern / volunteers. Also on hand for the mission were Matt Ricks, Tabitha Long, Jon Parker, Connor Larsen, and Bradyn Lystrup. The social distancing went well. The flight director stood far away from the crew during briefing, hand sanitizer was in abundance, and masks covered the face of all those on the bridge. Rool did still go up onto the bridge, but didn't have much more interaction than that.
Ten Years Ago at the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center...
My Late Night Wanderings at the Space Center
Hello Troops,
It's 10:35 P.M. on May 21, 2010. We are in the thick of another Overnight Camp. Tonight we are hosting sixth graders from Orem Elementary School (and a few others from other schools to fill out our camp numbers). I needed to get up from my computer and stretch my legs and decided to take my camera. What you are about to see is what I saw as I took a quick walk through the school to check on the ships. There is no theme to this post except to say that this is what I saw on a quick three minute walk to get the blood moving back into my legs. So, here we go - a few snapshots showing a moment frozen in time at the Space Center on a Friday Night.
It's 10:35 P.M. on May 21, 2010. We are in the thick of another Overnight Camp. Tonight we are hosting sixth graders from Orem Elementary School (and a few others from other schools to fill out our camp numbers). I needed to get up from my computer and stretch my legs and decided to take my camera. What you are about to see is what I saw as I took a quick walk through the school to check on the ships. There is no theme to this post except to say that this is what I saw on a quick three minute walk to get the blood moving back into my legs. So, here we go - a few snapshots showing a moment frozen in time at the Space Center on a Friday Night.
This is Emily. She is playing the Grand PooPah for the Voyager's Mission. She is the first to admit she has no shame.
"I'm taking one for the team," she said. You old timers may recognize the creature in her arms. He's our little Alien from the Voyager Control Room. He was donated to the Voyager years ago by Shane Skaggs. He won it at Lagoon and thought the Space Center would make it a good home.
"I'm taking one for the team," she said. You old timers may recognize the creature in her arms. He's our little Alien from the Voyager Control Room. He was donated to the Voyager years ago by Shane Skaggs. He won it at Lagoon and thought the Space Center would make it a good home.
Zac Hirshi is training to fly the Phoenix. He's seen here but I'm not sure if we're looking at the back of his head or his face. His hair is so out of control no one is really ever sure.
This is a shot of the Phoenix crew in mid mission. Alex Anderson is the flight director. They are doing the Phoenix's new mission "Murphy's Law" written by Bracken Funk.
Shhhhh! Don't tell anyone. I'm sneaking sugar from my secret stash kept hidden somewhere in the Discovery Room. A walk and a treat is just what the doctor ordered for 10:40 P.M. on a Friday Night. Hmmmm, shall it be salt water taffy or a Peppermint Patty or two. My solution, why ration? It's mine....... ALL mine.
As I stand and experience the wintry blizzard freshness of a Peppermint Patty I ponder the purpose of destroying the Discovery Room. I hear Mr. Daymont in the Magellan Control Room in full voice and character. It appears from his dialog the Magellan Crew is about to venture off the bridge and into this room where they will find complete and utter destruction caused by marauding aliens aboard the Station.
Isn't it amazing what a red alert screen mixed with a classroom of overturned desks and chairs can become? At the Space Center it could be anything from
1. A classroom with overturned desks and chairs or.....
2. The command bunker of some alien world bombed from orbit by a race of reptiles moving through the galaxy searching and destroying all forms of mammal life they encounter.
Well troops, my walk is complete. It's nearing 11:00 P.M. I'll wander to the cafeteria to set out the ice cream sandwiches and cookies for the late night snack before we put the kids to bed. I'll get this posted but it won't be until after 11:00 P.M.
I hope this post spurred a few cherished memories from the Space Center to our old veteran staff who have since moved on to bigger and better things. My hope is that you never forget the time you spent here at the second Happiest Place on Earth!
Mr. Williamson
Isn't it amazing what a red alert screen mixed with a classroom of overturned desks and chairs can become? At the Space Center it could be anything from
1. A classroom with overturned desks and chairs or.....
2. The command bunker of some alien world bombed from orbit by a race of reptiles moving through the galaxy searching and destroying all forms of mammal life they encounter.
Well troops, my walk is complete. It's nearing 11:00 P.M. I'll wander to the cafeteria to set out the ice cream sandwiches and cookies for the late night snack before we put the kids to bed. I'll get this posted but it won't be until after 11:00 P.M.
I hope this post spurred a few cherished memories from the Space Center to our old veteran staff who have since moved on to bigger and better things. My hope is that you never forget the time you spent here at the second Happiest Place on Earth!
Mr. Williamson
Imaginarium Theater
The Best Videos From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience.
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