Discovery Space Center's New Big Screen Commercial. Space and Science News. The Imaginarium

Hello Troops,

The Discovery Space Center has released its first commercial designed for the big screens at the Water Garden Theaters in Pleasant Grove.  What are your thoughts?  I think they did a great job. 

Mr. W.  

Space and Science News

2014 Starts with Space Success

Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Cape Canaveral. Credit: SpaceX

The space business is booming literally and figuratively as a volley of rocket launches started off the new year. SpaceX continues its onward march of successful launches on Jan.6, lifting the Thaicom 6 communications satellite into orbit. The mission took off from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral on behalf of Thailand, placing the craft in a geosynchronous orbit to provide communications coverage overThailand, parts of Africa, and a part of Arabia. This mission is a success also because previous Thaicom missions had been launched by Ariannespace on the French-built Arianne rocket. This is SpaceX's second successful launch of a craft into a geosynchronous orbit.

Overhead view of LC-40 in Florida.

History note: Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral station was originally home to launches of the Titan rocket series. Previous famous missions launched from there include the Mars Observer mission (which failed when its spacecraft failed to enter orbit of Mars), and the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn and its moon Titan. The original launch tower was scrapped when SpaceX leased the site from the government. LEarn more about the SpaceX launch at NASA SPaceFlight.com:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/01/spacex-falcon-9-v1-1-launch-thaicom-6/

Cygnus Cargo ship approaches the ISS.

NASA Spaceflight.com also provided great reporting on the launch of Orbital Science's latest cargo mission to the International Space Station. The OS Antares rocket original suffered a launch delay until January 9, due to extreme radiation concerns from a solar wind blast that hit the Earth's magnetic field. Once that had passed, the Antares was launched from the Wallop Island launch facility in Virginia. The Cygnus robotic craft was carefully guided in orbit to the ISS by ground engineers until its arrival on Saturday the 11th, followed by a grappling by the station's robotic arm just after midnight on Sunday morning. Now berthed at the station's Harmony Docking Node, the crew has begun the process of unloading the supplies.

India's GSLV-D5 rocket on launch pad. (Times of India).

On the International front, India launched a GSL-D5 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Center.  The rocket placed a GSAT-14 satellite into geosynchronous orbit. The rocket has had some difficulties including a couple of recent failures, so this launch has definitely boosted the confidence of the Indian space program.

Mark Daymont
Farpoint Educator

The Imaginarium
The Ordinary to the Extraordinary

The town's new Burger King burned down last night.....

Summer Vacation starts in Japan

If only people read

What a deal!

An ambulance in 3, 2, 1.....

He wears it every Wednesday.  People hate him.

Is this how it works?  Not in Utah

3rd World Imagination

Life demands in at times. 

There's a dog for every dog lover out there

Just a bit of turbulence?

Were are numbers 55 to 71?

There they are

A Master Waiter.  Ultimate Creativity

To go in all our Starships

How you feel at the start of summer

An add for a funeral home

 Great Inventive ideas!

Awesome Halloween Costume

The World is Waiting for You

I think I'll have a 32 ounce Out of Control!

 

The Magellan Issues a Frightening Ultimatum. Pictures of the Old Magellan's Last Mission. Utah Finalists to Mars. The Imaginarium

Hello Troops,

     Lately I've been impressed with Connor L's  work at both the CMSEC and the DSC.  He understands becoming indispensable is the key to success and job security.  

     The director of the CMSEC recently rewarded Connor's enthusiasm and dedication by generously granting him a measure of decision making in regards to the Magellan (and I hear a collective 'GULP' from all you loyal Troubadours and Space Center fans).  

     What will Connor do with that power?  Some might think a mass firing of the current staff and the immediate hiring of his friends and family would be at the top of Connor's short list.  A bit of cronyism is to be expected when it comes to powerful government positions.  Why would it be any different at the CMSEC?  

     "So Connor, what are you thinking?  Any changes in the works?" I asked on my last visit to the CMSEC.  I watched as his eyes stopped at each person in the Magellan control room.  Andrew shifted nervously at his 2nd chair station while uncomfortably tugging at his shirt collar.  

     "Geez it's gettin kinda warm in here," Andrew muttered.  

     Farpoint Cadet Jake H. quickly surrendered one of his volunteering candy bars and made a well timed offering to his flight director.  Connor snatched it out of his hand with a grunt and muttered, "'Bout time.  Now Get back to work!"  

     "You've got them well trained," I observed.  

     Connor darkened the room with a sour smile.  "Watch this."  He held up his hand and snapped his fingers twice. The staff and volunteers jumped to their feet.  "Yes Sir!" they shouted in unison.  

     "See what I mean?" Connor explained. "They know that in here, It's My Way or the Highway."  He paused and waited for the staff to react to his cleverism.  It didn't come.  He spoke louder.  "I SAID IT'S MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY!"  The staff complied and laughed until he snapped his fingers.  The room went silent.  

     "I'm impressed." I lied.  

     "Well, you gotta show 'em who's in charge.  I'm the Alpha Male and nobody - I mean nobody's gonna forget it."  He looked at me, then a memory found its way into his expanding skull.  "By the way,  you like to embarrass me in that blog of yours.  Ya, I've seen the pictures you take and post."  

     "It's never done intentionally."  I moved to increase the distance between us.

     "That's going to stop, Kapeesh?  You know, being a friend of mine has its advantages.  Not being a friend.....  well,  let me put it this way.  You've gotta good imagination - right? After all, you built the place.  So take my advice and USE that imagination.  Don't do anything stupid.  Are we square on this?"  

     "We're square," I answered and quickly changed the subject. "Where do you want to take the Magellan in the future?"  His answer went a bit longer than I had time for, so I asked him to write it down and send it to me.   

     His response is below.

The Great and Powerful OZ
aka Connor L.

Connor L Muses on the Magic Marvel which is the Magellan.                        

Hello All! 

     My name is Connor. Most of you know me from the Magellan (CMSEC) and the Atlantis (DSC). I'm a student at Lone Peak High School and work as a Magellan Flight Director at the CMSEC.  I've also just recently been named the Set Director of the Atlantis simulator at the DSC.  People say I'm entertaining to watch when I fly. I'm also super picky on video and have even had Mr. Williamson tell me during my training "This scene is a mess..." But that's beside the point.

    Being the primary Flight Director' in the Magellan, I kinda get to make little decisions now and again. One of those decisions was to give the Magellan a theme for the year. I wanted this theme to match what I expect from my staff this year, as well as the Farpoint cadets. I've settled on this quote as this year's theme. So without further adieu....the theme! 

     This theme describes the Magellan's way of going about things this year and the stories we're going to tell. 

     Your probably thinking, "We work at a Space Center. Isn't that different enough?" My simple answer is "no". Most of you guys know me;  you know how frustrated I get when I fly the same mission more than once in a row.  You know how much I love stories and you know how much I love the Magellan. Why not combine all of those into what we're trying to accomplish this year. 

     The Magellan opened years ago as a Babylon 5 space station.  Soon afterwords, it was reimagined into a Star Trek DS9 Star Base. Shockingly, last year we received new controls that turned the Magellan into a starship. 

     I think most people will agree with me when I say the Magellan has had an identity crisis ever since it opened.  Should it be a space station or a starship?  Should it be like the Voyager or something different?  

     We're on a mission to give the Magellan an identity. Not only do I want to tweak the Magellan's personality, I also want it to be...different. I want to make it a fun place to volunteer (not that it wasn't before), I want to push the envelope on stories we write and tell.  I want us to actually be in the running for the trophy next summer. I'm super proud of last year's staff when we managed to get a 1.02 on a camp rotation! 

     We're coming back! I want the Magellan to be feared in staff meetings ;)

     To make this happen, my staff and I going to have to step it up so you Farpoint Cadets - get ready for lots of changes.  We're going to make this next summer awesome! We're already developing our new story 'Paradise Lost' and someday it'll be ready to fly. Get ready to work hard and have fun in the Magellan this year.  I'm excited for the opportunity my staff and I have to work with you.

Connor L. 

The Troubadour congratulations Connor on his vision and wishes the Magellan, and its staff and volunteers, the best of luck as they claw and fight their way to the illusive 1.0.

Mr. Wiliamson  

The Old Magellan's Last Mission

     I'd like to show you the pictures I took of the staff and volunteers that worked the last mission of the old Magellan before it was demolished and the Magellan we know today was built. The day after these pictures were taken, construction on the new set began.  The new Magellan opened a few months later for the summer season.

     Please forgive the photograph's resolution. They were taken with the Space Center's first digital camera. The faces are fuzzy but our old timers will recognized the staff and volunteers who worked that last mission.

Space and Science News

8 Utahns Among Finalists to Travel to Mars

From KSL

PROVO — Eight Utahns are among 1,058 finalists who are vying for a spot on a mission to colonize Mars. They were recently whittled down from just over 200,000 applicants from all over the world.

Kitty Kane, a hairdresser from Provo, is one of the candidates and she said she knows she will have to leave her life behind. However, if selected, she said she would take a one-way trip to the red planet.

"There's a lot of good you can do, going to space for humanity," Kane said. "I didn't ever think that a regular civilian could be the first person to go to Mars, but that's what's happening."

The venture, organized by Mars One, is backed by several aerospace companies including SpaceX and Lockheed Martin. It's privately funded, and its creators hope to garner donations from the public through their website, and ultimately by creating a reality show type program where people will be able to vote for their favorite candidates.  Read More of the article.  Read More about Mars One.

The Imaginarium
The Ordinary Becomes The Extraordinary

Task: design and build a fountain.
There is the traditional fountain exposing a serious cancer of creativity

Then there is the fountain designed by a student of the imagination.

One Awesome Watch.

Two buttons that tell the truth about politics.

Something for us Dr. Who and Harry Potter hybrids.

Having some imaginary fun with Disney and Potter

Your MisFortune Cookie

Get it? Trix and Illusions? Get it?
I'm lovin it.

Saturday at the Space Centers. Cadet Comments. The Imaginarium

Hello Troops,
     I stopped at the two Space Centers after working on the Vanguard's design at Renaissance Academy Saturday morning.  I'm always on the hunt for a story or two to keep you updated on all things related to the Space Centers.
     I never travel alone.  With me goes my trusted ipad.  It's good for notes, and has a handy built in camera feature that comes in handy when a picture would speak a thousand words.

     We all have our faults, and my ipad is no exception; take my ipad's lack of a flash for example.   If you strain your eyes and imagination, you might make out who the person is in the photo above.  His name is Brandon Wright. He works for DSim (job 1) and is BJ Warner's assistant at the Lakeview Space Center.  On Saturday I found him working on the Discovery Space Center's Endeavor simulator.  The Endeavor is closed for a complete overhaul and renovation.  New paint and new computers are on the "to do" list.  

     "There's some serious money being spent on this ship," I observed to Casey Voeks, DSC's director. 

     "You think!" he replied.  

     Brandon interrupted our conversation. "I need a drill and some other tools."  

     "A what?" Casey questioned.  Brandon looked at me slightly confused then back at Casey.

     "A drill." 

     Casey looked at me slightly confused, then back at Brandon.  "I heard you and I'm asking, What is a Drill?"  

     I looked slightly confused at Brandon, then back at Casey.  Then I remembered Casey is more of an idea imagineer.  He holds tools for photo ops then quickly returns them to their proper owner before he hurts himself or someone else.  "Oh, I gotcha ya.  Listen Casey.  A drill is a tool people use to drill holes or screw things in - like screws.  They are electric."

     The light bulb came on.  "I'll pick one up when I go buy the Endeavor's new computers." 

 

     I wandered the Discovery Center looking for another story.  I was drawn to the Challenger by voices and bright lights.  

     "What's up?"

     "We're shooting a Discovery Space Center commercial.  It'll play at the Water Gardens before the movies start," someone answered; it might have been BJ, or maybe Casey.  Come to think about it, it might have been Skyler Carr.  I can't be sure so I'll leave it as 'someone answered'.  

     "Now that's a big story,"  I said realizing I'd hit the day's mother load.  

     BJ explained. "Our commercial will play twice before each movie."  

     "There's some serious money being spent on this.  You're using professional equipment on this commercial."   My mind was adding up the costs.  "I would have done this for you for free with my trusted ipad."  I held it up for all to see and admire.  

     Casey laughed.  "This is all volunteer.  People are helping out wherever they can.  Great things are happing at the Discovery Space Center."  

     "I can see that,"  I replied closing my ipad's cover.  Things have come a long way since that opening day last March."  

     I left the DSC right after that; but before leaving, I took a few minutes to play with Bradyn Lystrup's awesome four propellor hovercraft / helicopter / drone.   It's super quiet, small and stealthy - the perfect addition to any landing party.  Bradyn handled the aircraft with precision.  I flew it like the true uncoordinated rookie that I am.  He asked for it back after I crashed it into the ceiling and floor a few times - not to mention nearly decapitating a few of the DSC's flight directors.  

     My next stop was the CMSEC at Central school, my old haunting grounds.  

       

     Jon Parker was the DOD (Director on Duty).  I found him sitting in the Space Center's office (the school's old nurses office from the late 1950's).  Jon was sitting away from the desk working on his laptop.
     "Why are you sitting there?" I asked as I admired the colorful post-it-note iMac computer frame.
     "It's just easier working here," he replied.
     "Wow, business must really be picking up?" The sleuthing was easy with an obvious conclusion.  Many of the post it notes were call backs - people wanting to book private missions and school field trips.
     I decided to offer a bit of advice. After all, it's Jon we're talking about. "The best way to clear a desk is to take one note, make the call, book the mission and throw the note away.  Then take another and do the same.  I think I'd throw the dead cold fries away and find a better place for the summer flyers."
    "Really, is that what you'd do?" The voice was sarcastic.  "Most of those are for Megan, not me."
    "Well, never mind then."  I took the picture you see above then noticed a few mission binders on the shelve behind the desk.

    There they were, my school field trip missions: Intolerance, Perilko, A Cry From the Dark, and Supernova.  It was nice to see my missions live on without me.  

     I left the office in search of a story.  

     The Magellan was in full flight when I poked my head in to say hello to our Farpoint cadets.  I immediately recognized the tactical pictures.  Connor and gang were telling Midnight Rescue (Stazi for all you real old timers out there).   

     This is a motion shot as the Voyager raced to get back across the border into Federation space with New Earth fighters hot on their tail.  Bracken Funk made this tactical, and did a great job.  If given the chance, I'd change the New Earth logo.  It looks too much like the Cadillac logo.  Wait a minute, there's a great idea for a future Farpoint mission.  The Vanguard being chased by a squadron of Cadillac fighters, followed by a few Ford Destroyers.

Mr. W.

Connor in the FD's seat with Farpont Cadet Jake in black and Andrew playing the part of the supervisor.

The Phoenix is almost ready to fly.

Christine Grosland with her sister Sara flying the Odyssey.

Our Farpoint Cadets are ready and willing to jump in and play any part when needed.

   

Nathan playing a "Bad Guy" in the Galileo.  Here he is messing up the Galileo while the crew is on an away team.

 Farpoint Cadet Comments

Orion Wrote:
Once, during an overnighter, a really smart doctor had the brilliant idea of a character (animal) named "Brucey the Bat."  It was my favorite part of the overnighter.
I've noticed that many flight directors are kind of crazy.  Some like volunteers flying 2nd chair, while others don't use actors.  Maybe they just don't need volunteers, or maybe it is a side effect of the stress.  Do flight directors even have other jobs?







Isaac Wrote:
Volunteering has made a very big difference in my life!  But of all the things, volunteering has done for me, the biggest thing that it has taught me is to have courage.  At first, I was super scared to go play a ship doctor for even 5 people.  Now I fell I can play roles in front of large crowds.   My acting skills have definitely improved, and I love what I do.  I strongly recommend volunteering to any campers out there that love the Space Center.  





The Imaginarium
Watch the Ordinary morph into the Extraordinary