Where are the remains of the once mighty Starship Voyager, the ship that started them all? That questions came to me yesterday after receiving a welcomed message from Jordan Osborn, a former Space Center staff member. Jordan currently lives in Oregon, works for InfiniD on their content team, and is working towards an MBA degree at Willamette University.
Jordan is the proud owner of the following piece of the Starship Voyager.
The old timers out there will remember this sign from the Briefing Room entrance to the Voyager.
You can see the "Caution" sign above the Voyager's entrance in the picture above which was taken at the Odyssey's grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony in the early 1990's.
Why the "Caution, Watch Overhead Clearance" sign? When I built the Voyager onto Central School in 1990 I had to decide where to put the entrance. I wanted four entrances, two from the playground (upstairs and basement) and two from the school. The entrance from the stage was a no brainer. It was the perfect place for a revolving door to provide that transition I was looking for. I also wanted an entrance from the briefing room.
Upon examining the exterior wall of the school, the engineer said that a doorway couldn't be put in the briefing room. There was a large cement support beam which ran along the wall - a beam that couldn't be cut. I insisted on a door, even if it was too short (through the cinderblock and not the support beam). The engineer agreed because the Voyager already met code by having the two exterior playground doors.
The short door was installed. It was then the problems started. Everyone walking up to the Voyager entrance saw the doorway was too short. Most ducked. What people didn't expect was the depth of the entrance. People were ducking to go through but standing up too soon before they cleared the doorway. I bumped my head multiple times; so did most staff of any height. It was then I purchased the "Caution" sign. People still bumped their heads, but the sign was there to remind them how careless they were to stand up too soon.
Do you own a piece of the old Voyager? If so, please send a photo (spacecamputah@gmail.com) to be included in future posts on this subject. Let's see how much of the Ship that Started Them All is left.
Thank you,
Victor
The Flight Director's Oath
Many years ago I wrote an oath which was to be recited by all new flight directors when they received their silver microphone pin. Both the oath and pin were forgotten in a "To Do" file during the remodelling closure of 2012. So today, for old times sake, here is that oath and pin design....
"I pledge to honor the training and craftsmanship of the flight directors who trained me. I pledge to set a proper example of professionalism for my staff, volunteers, and crew. I promise to lead and guide my crews by adhering to the mission's goals and objectives as given to me by my Set Director. I promise to honor the pioneering spirit of the first ship Voyager by continuing to learn and improve upon my craft - and will do so until I surrender my microphone to those who will follow".
Imaginarium Theater
This Week's Best Videos From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience
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