Introducing This Summer's Crop of New Flight Directors at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center. Unity Gaming Engine Class Starts at the Space Center. Lissa Hadfield Returns to the Space Center Under the Reactivation Clause. Imaginarium Theater.

     The best harvest season for new Flight Directors at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center is at the end of the summer space camp season. Summer is the perfect fertile ground to grow new Flight Directors, with daily camps of 52 campers running 2.5 to 8 hour long missions.  Daily camps mean many opportunities to learn and practice the skills needed to be successful in the Control Rooms' First Chairs.

     Local Flight Director Farms Announce a Bumper Crop of New Flight Directors reads the headline of the latest edition of Starfleet Farming Today.  Yes, this summer's space camp growing season was busy, but the hard work of tilling the soil, planting the seeds, nurturing the growth, battling the weeds of nerves and time along with infestations of self doubt and shyness has yielded a fantastic crop of new, young, Flight Directors harvested to occupy the Control Rooms' First Chairs for years to come.  

     The Odyssey's Farm on Highway 40 just past the four way stop on your way north out of town (right around the corner form the old Magellan homestead) was showing off its new flight directors in their roadside produce stand.  I noticed the farmers from the Cassini, Magellan, Phoenix, Galileo, and Falcon farms stopping by to give them a look over on their way to work their fields on Saturday.  

     "They're looking pretty good," said Old Jon Parker of the Cassini place.  "Maybe a bit on the green, but ya can't leave them on the vine too long or they get darn right stringy." 

     Silver, from the Phoenix farm at the end of the dirt road past the Cassini place, was hesitant to offer a pat on the back to Mitch for a job well done upon first inspection of the new crop from his pick up window. "You know Mitch, we've talked about this over and over again, is it quality over quantity or quantity over quality. I'm thinkin you're not listenin to what I've been sayin."  

     Mitch, sure of his crop and his methods, was quick to respond. "Silver, I not sure it's one or the other like you seem to think.  Here on the Odyssey our soil is good enough to have both. Now you chew on that for minute or two and tell me why it can't be so."  Silver thought on that for a bit before accepting it with his usual grunt. Then with a wave, disappeared down the road leaving a billowing brown cloud of dirt road behind him. 

     Having nothing better to do on a Saturday morning, I drove out to see the crop myself.  

Recently Grown on the Odyssey Farm.

Aiden is the Newest Odyssey Flight Director, Having Earned

the Right to hold the FD Microphone on Saturday, August 19.

"He sprung up from the north field," said Farmer Foote, "right there by creek.  It took 10 months but we got him there."   

       

       

       Cecily became a new Odyssey Flight Director on July 22.  "This ain't my first rodeo," said Farmer Foot. "Cecily is living proof right here.  Quality AND Quantity can work together."

From the Porter's Falcon Homestead.  

 

     Rylan was on show roadside by Porter's Falcon Homestead.  He is a new Falcon Flight Director harvested last July 28. 

     "Not a blemish on this one," Farmer Porter said proudly as he stood next to Rylan near the farm's roadside fruit stand. He likes showing his new crop to anyone happening to be passing by on a hot August afternoon. "Look him over yerself.  A county fair blue ribbon for sure," he said proudly. 

     There was a pause in the conversation as J. Porter shifted his stance. He took a long gaze over his north field where Young Tyler was driving tractor on the old Magellan place. He scratched his chin and waved away a pesky fly before he spoke again. 

     "Mark my words, these other farmers round about will want this one but it ain't gonna happen.  Specially her down the way (referring to Miss Brylee, proprietor of the Galileo spread by Dawson's pond).  She's been eyeing my crop for the past year or two." He looked sternly to where her house was barely visible between two Cottonwoods. "Yep, she ain't gettin this one," he mumbled under his breath.     

Congratulations to the newest Flight Directors at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center.  They each have taken the Flight Director's Oath:

 "I pledge to honor the training and craftsmanship of the flight directors who trained me. I pledge to set an example of professionalism to my staff, volunteers, and crew. I promise to lead and guide my crews by adhering to the missions' goals and objectives. I promise to honor the pioneering spirit of the first ship Voyager by continuing to learn and improve upon my craft. These things I will do until I lay my microphone down."

After taking the oath, new Flight Directors are given membership in the Flight Director's Guild and the key to the Space Center's Executive Washroom.

The Flight Director Guild's Executive Washroom. Receiving a key is the Ultimate Goal of Every Space Center volunteer and staff (there is a reason many of you don't know about this. When you've earned it, it will be made known to you. And don't go bothering the flight directors about its location.  They'll only act stupid and say they there is no such place and they don't know what you're talking about). 

One Busy Saturday Morning

The Space Center was the place to be yesterday. The schedule was packed with missions, meetings, and classes.

Saturday's Voyager Club Meeting

8:00 A.M.  The Voyager Club's August Meeting.  

     We started with Bingo for prizes from 8:00 - 8:30 A.M.  At 8:30 Aiden and Mikey called the meeting to order.  New members were called to the front for introductions after which the astronomy lesson was taught by Jason Trump.  Jason gave a great lesson on Europa and the future Europa Clipper NASA mission set to launch in 2024.  At 9:20 A.M. Aiden and Mikey did a training on "Calling Shots in the Era of a Modern Starship Simulations".  The meeting adjourned at 10:00 A.M.  

9:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.

     The first Unity Class was taught in Central Elementary School's computer lab.  Unity is a 3D gaming engine used by video game manufacturers and others worldwide.  Dave Stevens and Elan Wilkinson were the instructors.  Dave works for Meta as a Unity developer (Oculus) and Elan works for McDonell Douglas as a software engineer.  New Space Center simulator controls are being developed in Unity.  Students in the Unity Class will be trained in the program and given the opportunity to participate in the creation of our new Unity Universe simulator controls and environment. 

The Unity Engine Class

Bracken Funk, Director of The Space Place at Renaissance Academy Found Unity Enjoyable but was tormented by the volunteer who sat beside him.

The Volunteer who sat beside him

Alex Debirk, Director of the American Heritage School Discovery Space Center attended the Unity Class Along with three members of his school's Voyager Club

     

The Unity Class received Thumbs Up from two Voyagers. Thomas (white shirt) is a member of the Farpoint Voyagers at The Space Place.  Henry (black shirt) is duel Voyager. He is a Farpoint and a Space Center Voyager Volunteer

11:00 A.M.  - 12:30 P.M. 

     The Engineering Department met in the school's computer class right after the Unity class was dismissed.  Jade was pleased with the turnout. Our Voyager Explorers and Volunteers are showing an interest in the department's mission at the Space Center.  

The Space Center's Engineering Department working on their design projects under the watchful eye of their teacher, Jade Hansen

     The Space Center's goal is to create meaningful educational experiences for our visitors, our volunteers, and our staff.  Watch for more learning opportunities to come.

Lissa Eager Hadfield Returns to the Space Center Thanks to the Reactivation Clause in her Departure Agreement. Darn that Fine Print

 

Lissa and Tyler quarrel over the Magellan's Flight Director Microphone. Will Lissa pry the Magellan's First Chair from Tyler or will He Prevail?  Scott Wiltbank is on hand to ensure the safety of the innocent volunteers' ears

     Surprise doesn't even come close to what I felt when I walked into the Magellan's Control Room on Saturday and saw Lissa wearing her Navy Blues sitting next to Tyler engaged in a tug of war over the Magellan's microphone.  Scott stood behind them reminding them to keep the language civil for the sake of the young and innocent volunteers. 

     Lissa retired as Magellan Set Director some time ago to start a family.  All was good until a few days ago when she received a registered letter from Mr. James Porter, Director of the Space Center. In the envelope was a copy of her departure contract. Highlighted in yellow was the microscopic paragraph called the "Reactivation Clause".  "Can they do this?" she asked Jacob, her husband and former Magellan Flight Director.  

     "Honey, they can and there is nothing we can do about it. They've got the District lawyers on their side," he replied.  "It's OK, we can make the best of it."

     "Well, if I'm going back, the Magellan will be mine again.......All Mine!" she said with a mischievous grin.  

     Speaking on behalf of everyone at the Space Center, we welcome Lissa back to the Magellan on a part time basis.  She spent Saturday watching Tyler fly.  It won't take her long to get her space legs back.  Soon she'll be flying the Magellan again. 

Imaginarium Theater

The Week's Best Videos From Around the World Edited for a Gentler Audience