The Wilbur's Night Out, and Other Things from the Imaginarium.

The Wilbur and Blooms just learned the Space Center's Phoenix and Voyager Simulators are open during the holiday vacation. They've dropped their kids off for a 5 hour mission and are on the road to enjoy a meal at Pleasant Grove's Sammy's Cafe. After enjoying the Monday Grilled Cheese for a $1.00 special, they will be off to a Picture Show. The Space Center is a blessing indeed to stressed parents during the holidays.

The Space Center's Phoenix and Voyager simulators are open on a limited schedule during the holiday vacation. Call the Center at 801.785.8713 to make your private booking or go to the party section of our web site.


Do you see what's wrong with this picture? Isn't it obvious? These children are running amok through the streets of our town. This is what happens when children's minds are released for the holiday from the rigors of school. Young brains need to be challenged; their imaginations must be exercised. If not, well..... you can see the results for yourselves. This crosswalk sign will soon be down, then where will they go? Perhaps your mail box or garden flamingos will be on the receiving end of their mischief (and heaven help your Gnomes). There are reports that every blow up Christmas Lawn decoration on Center Street disappeared last night. It is hooliganism at its worst.

What must be done to restore law and order? May we offer one solution? Loving, caring parents will book a private party at the Space Center for their children.

The choice is yours, listen to their incessant whining or get them out of the house.


Have you wondered what is it about the Space Center that appeals to students? This picture sums it up very well. During the couple hours of a private mission, students join Starfleet and venture into the unknown to save Earth from both villains and the universe's natural dangers. It is a place where they are in charge. They give the orders and adults follow their commands. It is a place where actions have consequences and the rewards go to those who exercise quick wit and problem solving.

And Now, from the Imaginarium.

The Nirvana of Holiday Gifts for the Chocolate lover in your home.

We can laugh at ourselves at the Space Center.

One of the more frequent suggests campers write on our post camp surveys is - "Get Better costumes".

We've heard and are working hard to comply. Our old costuming department was fired and replaced with people that truly know what they are doing (above).

What do you think of our new Star Wars costumes from our new Costuming Guild? You've got Yoda, Jabba, Lea, R2D2, C3PO, and Darth Vader pictured.

There should be no more complaints about costumes.

"That was Easy".

And Now, A Public Service Announcement from the Imaganarium

Who Says Cigarettes Are Bad For You?
She's 42 and Still Feeling Great!

Its a yearly problem, what to get the Space Center staff for Christmas. Well, this year's solution has been found!

The Space Center runs on Macs. Everything about the place is Apple. We live Apple, breath Apple and dream Apple. Now, Finally an Apple product within our budget!!

Thank you Apple!

Merry Christmas Staff and Volunteers!

Mr. Williamson

The Making of Legend.

Once upon a time there lived a wise old master of stories in a modest home which clung precariously to a hillside overlooking the tidy and easily forgotten village of Pleasant Grove.

Every Friday evening this wise old story teller found himself tending forty five children in a modest red brick schoolhouse which sat at the center of the village near the library and pub (using the word's most generous definition). The children came from many of the county's villages to hear stories told by his apprentices and his apprentices, apprentices.

The Master lived a good life and sought never to be a bother to anyone. His tastes were simple. In exchange for his tales, he asked for one warm meal a day and a room with a view. If there was more, he considered himself quite lucky indeed.

One week in the middle of December, the Master's path crossed the path of the vengeful and jealous Fortuna, Goddess of Fortunes. These rare encounters were usually tempestuous at best and disastrous at worst. This December crossing was the offspring of both.

Please sit and rest while I tell this tale of a Master of Story and the Goddess of Fortune. It is the making of legend.......

Less Money for Commercial Space Development

Orion capsule drop-tests into water.

Editorial Comment
by Mark Daymont
Space Center Educator

Once again, Congress cuts the wrong budget.

No doubt most readers are aware of the difficult economic times. Job losses are at an agonizing high level, and businesses are so worried about the current and future impact of business-strangling government regulations that they won't invest in hiring or new products. For space enthusiasts, we agonize over the poor planning of the White House over the retirement of the Space Shuttle and the lack of an American manned spacecraft. We go hat-in-hand to the Russians, who promptly raised the price of a seat on their venerable Soyuz spaceship, now the only path to carry humans to the International Space Station.

Soyuz spaceship approaches the ISS.

Supporters of the space program have known for a long time that one of the best investments of American tax dollars has been NASA. The spin-off technology derived from human and robotic space exploration has transformed the world over the last 50 years. Private businesses developing new products from this technology have produced millions, if not billions, of jobs worldwide and especially here in America. So it should be a no-brainer to our leaders in Washington as to which budget to keep, and if possible, expand. Apparently Not.

For several years NASA has been budgeting money to invest in companies who are also investing their own money in creating the first man-rated commercial-(as opposed to NASA-) made spaceships to reach low orbit and the ISS. The poor planning of the Bush and Obama administrations has resulted in a gap of time where America does not lead the world in manned spaceflight. This is unacceptable to the pride of our country.

This year, NASA had planned to invest $850 million spread amongst four companies in an effort to advance the development of new human-rated spaceships, aimed at getting a new system by 2015 or 2016. At the same time, NASA has been ordered by Congress to revive the Obama-cancelled Orion capsule design, even though a rocket has not yet been designed for it (Ares-1 was also cancelled, but not revived).

Although Congress praised the efforts of the commercial companies and urged them to hurry, Congress has instead cut the budget. NASA will receive only a budget $1 billion less than it needs, and in fact is $648 million smaller than last year. Therefore, NASA has announced it will only have $406 million to share amongst the competitors. The result is that the programs will be slowed down, and we will have to wait even longer to close the human spaceflight gap.

SpaceX's Dragon supply capsule will reach ISS in February 2012.

The worst part of this frustration is the waste of money by the Obama administration. WHile screaming in front of the cameras about the importance of creating jobs and investing in technologies for tomorrow, they have spent billions of dollars on failing solar-power companies which are now going into bankruptcy. The failed Solyndra company alone received over $500 million dollars, all sucked down a hole of a collapsing company. What's offensive to me, and anyone following this scandal, is that it is known that the White House knew the companies were failing and STILL SPENT THE MONEY.

Imagine what that wasted money could have done if instead invested in the companies that are attempting to build new rockets and capsules for astronauts to get to low orbit. Imagine how much shorter the spacecraft gap would be if the companies had the funds and support necessary to speed development. Imagine the jobs created as these companies ramp up production and sell seats to space. Well, it's gonna take longer now.

Funny thing, though. NASA has not cut the budget for the continued development of its own Orion capsule. Of course, Orion doesn't yet even have a rocket to get up into space. Things that make you go hmmmmm.