Space News. Saturday's Imaginairum

Two Re-entries: One Good, One Bad.

A Cygnus resupply vehicle grappled with the ISS robotic CanadArm

There have been two fiery re-entries in the ISS program lately. One went well, the other did not. On November 27, the Cygnus OA-5 cargo spacecraft re-entered the atmosphere and burned up (along with a lot of space station trash) over the Pacific Ocean. On its way out, it performed some vital services. After undocking from the ISS to make room for future cargo deliveries, the Cygnus performed a test of the fire system aboard the spacecraft, with the goal to observe how fires behave in a zero0G environment. After the successful test, ground engineers operated the ship to a new high altitude Cygnus record of 500 kilometers, and then launched a series of four LEMUR cubesats. Two days later the engineers guided Cygnus to its end.

Fiery break up of an earlier Cygnus mission.

Night launch of a Progress supply mission.

Things did NOT go as planned for a Russian resupply mission to the ISS station. On Thursday December 3, Progress MS-04 blasted off from Baikonur with supplies for the astronauts in ISS. It was the 4th use of the revamped Progress series of robotic cargo ships. As engineers are still verifying safety tests with the new Progress and Soyuz variations, the plan was to continue using the 2-day orbital approach technique to the station rendezvous. Something went wrong during the third stage separation. Observers noted the fiery re-entry and crash over southern Russia. This marks the 3rd Progress failure in 65 launches.

Chinese Space Station Success

Illustration of China's new space station. Credit: China Daily.

China has made more progress in its ability to keep its Taikonauts in space for more than short stays in a Soyuz-like Shenzhou capsule. Much of the western media does not cover Chinese space efforts the way they cover the ISS, but a lot of that has to do with the restrictive nature of the Chinese government. China's space program is in a phase similar to that of the early Soviet space station stages, gradually building bigger space stations and living longer in orbit.

This illustration demonstrates how the Shenzhou 11 spacecraft would appear docked with the Tiangong 2. Credit: Xinhua.

The Chinese station was launched in mid-September from the Jiuquan satellite launch center from pad LC-43. It was originally built as a back-up for Tiangong 1, but with changes in the CHinese space program, it now serves a purpose to help Chinese Taikonauts prepare for a much larger space station program in 2018. With modifications made to the station, it will test new technologies needed for China's new modular-design station, similar to the transition Russia made from the Salyut station designs to the Mir station.

Crew of Shenzhou 11. Commander Jing Haipeng and Pilot Chen Dong. Credit: Xinhua.

Shenzhou 11 blasted off from the same pad that launched the station. The mission used the Long March 2F/G (Y11) rocket. Lift off took place on October 14. The government had been somewhat silent on the mission, finally announcing the crew shortly before the spacecraft arrived at the pad. The primary mission for the crew is to successfully dock with the station, and then break the Chinese record for an extended 30-day stay in orbit. The station does come equipped with some science experiments, mostly designed to help the taikonauts perform health studies and experiments. There is also a Chinese version of the robotic arm, which will become very essential to future operations.

Another illustration of a Shenzhou spacecraft docked with the Tiangong 2. Credit: ?

On Thursday, November 17, the Shenzhou 11 undocked from the station and returned its crew safely to the Earth. The mission achieved its major goals. On Friday, the spacecraft parachuted to a safe landing in Mongolia. 

There is some disagreement in Western Press about future missions to the Tiangong 2. Probably due to mistakes in Chinese government planning announcements. In one scenario, this Shenzhou 11 mission would end up as the only manned mission to the station. Another scenario includes a robotic supply mission to the station, to test the ability of a remote-piloted craft to resupply future missions. And yet another scenario includes a three-man mission later this year.

By Mark Daymont
Spacerubble.blogspot.com

The Imaginarium

I'm Thankful for ..... Surviving Thanksgiving. Theater Imaginarium.

Whew,
     Thanksgiving is over. It was nip and tuck there for awhile.
     This season I'm thankful for family and friends.  I'm thankful for all the years I spent with an outstanding dedicated staff and volunteers in a happy place we call 'The Space Center'.  I'm thankful for the 310,000 people who came through our doors on voyages of imagination. I'm grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support this program has received over the last twenty-six years and continues to receive from great people like you.  Your support has played, and will continue to play, an important role as the different space centers advance and expand.  I'm grateful for institutions like Renaissance Academy, the Alpine School District, Lakeview Academy and others who've invested so many resources into pioneering this new brand of simulator based experiential education. I'd like to especially thank the following outstanding school administrators:  Dr. Vicki Carter, Mark Ursic, Rick Veasey, and Julie Adamic.       
     There are many decisions to be made as this program morphs under the careful direction of visionary leaders like James Porter, Casey Voeks, Skyler Carr, Brandon Wright, Ryan Anderson, and my right hand student director Isaac. How much of the old will stay as we envision the new?  It is an exciting time.

The Eight Williamson Siblings. In response to anyone who looks at this picture and thinks I'm looking old. Just so you know, I'm the one who doesn't color his hair. My siblings use chemical, surgical, minor embalming, paper mache, snake oils, chin supports, industrial strength whalebone body wraps, and cosmetic scaffolding in an effort to fool the bystander into thinking they've cheated the effects of time. They even need FDA approval before they can fly (they could trigger allergic reactions among the passengers). Yesterday Janice got a $100 fine for failing to disclose her formaldehyde cream as she went through airport security. My siblings demand you keep your distance when you talk to them fearing you'll see through the mirage and glimpse what lies beneath - warts and all.  There, full disclosure.

     The Williamsons converged for our Thanksgiving meal at my sister's dance school in Orem.  Family has come from near and far for the event.  This was the first time all eight of us (my brothers and sisters) have been together in ten years. 

     You never know what you'll get at a Williamson holiday gathering.  In the best of times,  the event could pass peacefully with little to report other than Great Grandma Luella managing to keep a portion of her meal on her plate and off her blouse and the children survive with little or no blood loss.
     In the worst of times, there could be fireworks if family members aren't strategically positioned around the Thanksgiving table.  I'm hoping my sister remembers to seat our family's few remaining independents between the rabid Republics and the Peace, Land and Bread Democrats.  Great Grandma Luella has already been chastised by my sister Lisa for attempting to convert her teenage daughter to socialism.  Great Grandma has been brushing up for this holiday reunion by watching hundreds of hours of PBS and CSPAN.
     We sometimes have a problem with religion.  Not only must my sister separate family members with strong political views, she must also take into consideration the family's diverse religious beliefs as she sets out the name places around the table.  Those who favor reincarnation are generally tolerated by the liberals. They will be sat at the end of the table. Our Mormon majority are too numerous to separate so they must be sub categorized by conviction. Forgiving, back of the chapel Mormons, are good to mix with the minority agnostics. Front row, hymn singing Mormons are good to sit near the old people's section at the front of the table. It makes it easy for calling on someone to offer the Thanksgiving blessing on the food.
     One of my jobs at all holiday reunions is to monitor the gathering and inject myself into any conversation or situation that appears to be approaching the boiling point.  My 34 years in the classroom uniquely qualifies me for the task. I know the family very well, having been a part of it  for 58 years, and can generally detect the raising of voices quickly enough to bolt across the room, squeeze in between the combatants and turn a phrase fast enough to cool the waters and redirect the conversation's flow.  I've been brushing up on anecdotes and feel confident I can keep things civil and peaceful until everyone goes home to debate whether or not they'll ever go to another gathering again.
     I have the nuclear option if my efforts to keep the peace fail.  I walk over to 80 year old Great Grandpa Charlie, pull him away from the poor soul he's trapped in a conversation for 30 minutes, and tell him that so and so had a question on the how to prepare for the fast approaching apocalypse.
     "You've come to the right person," he'll say as he struts across the crowded room to find his new prey.
     Great Grandpa Charlie believes the world will end by the end of the year.  He has believed the world will end at the end of every year since 1968, which is why he purchased six acres of farmland in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
     "We won't starve if I keep the land," he answers proudly whenever asked why he doesn't sell the land and pocket the profit.  His survival plans unravel when we press him for details on how we are suppose to get to South Dakota if things suddenly head south and starving mobs ravaged neighborhoods.  
     Anyway.......  I'm hoping you and yours had a very enjoyable day.  Now it's time to return to reality.  

Mr. Williamson

Theater Imaginarium
The best gifs of the week, assiduously edited for gentler audiences, minors, and the terminally offended

The Space Center YouTube Film Festival. The Imaginarium.

     A hush fell over the standing room only crowd at the new downtown Troubadour Theater. The lights dimmed as two bright spots found their mark on Mr. Williamson.  Dressed in his rented tux, Mr. Williamson walked across the stage, stopping briefly to touch the red velvet curtains hiding the silver screen behind.  He nodded in approval. The downtown Troubadour was first class all the way.  No corner cut in the construction or its apparel. 

      Finding the X marked at center stage, Mr. Williamson stopped and adjusted the oversized 1930's radio microphone level to his mouth.  He cleared his throat while taking a moment to wipe his forehead with his clean white handkerchief.  
     "Welcome to The Troubadour!" he bellowed. The audience responded with thunderous applause. The overly enthusiastic rose to their feet.  The former Space Center director waited for the audience to fully show their appreciation. He continued as the clapping abated. "Tonight we have the best Space Center videos gleaned from the YouTube depository for your enjoyment.  They span several years and cover many topics from advertisements for missions to videos made specifically for mission tactical screens.  

     Sit back, relax, purchase some sweets, popcorn, or a cool soft drink from the lovely usherettes moving up and down the aisles. The Troubadour is here to serve you. Consider it your home away from home.  Now let's dim the house lights and drift away on the magic carpet embroidered with good times passed."  

Jul 14, 2012

Four Hours: A Space Trip

Directed by MARK T. LEWIS Featuring VICTOR WILLIAMSON

Lights bleed red, flickering with each torpedo impact. Music pounds, ushering adrenaline-fueled choices towards their hapless outcome. Will the starship Voyager and its youthful crew survive? Moments like these come often to the elementary school students hosted by Victor Williamson. As the man behind the scenes at the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center, Victor has built five spaceship simulators to make learning memorable and push the frontier of education. Victor's work and vision as a public educator are a welcome presence in a country eager for changes in the way our kids are taught.

Produced by TRAVIS PITCHER
Camera by TRAVIS PITCHER, TRACY DERENTHAL, and MARK T. LEWIS
Edited by MARK T. LEWIS
Production Assistants JUDY SIMMONS and DREW DUNCAN
Faculty Advisor BEN UNGUREN
Also Featuring MACHELLE DAHL'S CLASS, THE SALT LAKE CENTER FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION, IAN MILLER, JIM BEST-DEVEREUX, TRICIA MACAULEY, and LINCOLN

Special Thanks to THE CHRISTA MCAULIFFE SPACE EDUCATION CENTER, IRA AND MARY LOU FULTON, BYU THEATRE AND MEDIA ARTS DEPARTMENT, BRAD BARBER, AMANDA B. LEWIS, CHRISTOPHER T. LEWIS, GENE RODDENBERRY, and BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

November 2000

A celebration video of the Space Center in its tenth year. It was recorded from a video cassette tape found in the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center.

Dec 13, 2009
Megan and the staff performing the famous Summer Disco Pizza Dance one last time. Megan enters the MTC on Wednesday.  She and Taylor asked if they could dance it one last time for our overnight camp on December 12.  This was done just before the campers were asked to cast their votes.  The campers really got into it at the.  Watch it to the end.   

    

Sep 3, 2007

This is a Distress Call from the USS Kepler for a mission called: Bug Hunt. It's a mission simulation at the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center in Pleasant Grove Utah.

December 2011

Brittney's Last Mission as Magellan Set and Flight Director

March 4, 2010

Alex Anderson. Fatal Error

April 2010

Leadership Camp

December 19, 2010

The old Magellan's last mission



February 2010

Leadership Camp

Aug 11, 2009

Space Education Simulator, Galileo Under Construction.

Aug 14, 2009

While showing off the new Galileo at the Utah County Fair a huge rain storm of biblical proportions hit us. Screams of children heard everywhere, we scrambled for the ship and shut the door! (Kyle and Stacy)

Aug 13, 2009

Kyle Herring at the County Fair in Spanish Fork, sleeping in our new Galileo simulator.

Sept. 2010
A tour of the Space Center given to UEN Network




Feb 5, 2012

Video segment taken from a particularly intense part of the Greenpeace Mission aboard the USS Voyager. For my birthday party, 11 of us drove down to the The Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center in Pleasant Grove, UT. It was designed for youngsters but we loved it!

May 26, 2016

Darmok Trials are a unique camp offered only at the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center. 

April 2008
iWorlds Commercial Shot at the Space Center

Apr 1, 2014

The Tal' Shair has just found some new information on one of our new weapons. What does this mean for the federation? Come this summer for 'The Razor Plan' and find out.

May 20, 2012

Save the Space Center note: This video encompasses how one of our missions could possibly go. Helping kids discover how to work through the difficulties of a bad situation and still pull their crew out of it. This is NOT a mission of the CMSEC, it's more the staff having fun in the spirit of what we do as the Space Center. fun in the spirit of what we do as the Space Center. 

February 2012
Slide Show of Good Times at the Space Center



February 2012

Nicole and Josh's Solo Overnight Camp

Jul 12, 2014

Sometimes we all just need to kick back and cut loose! ;D

February 2013
The staff are working to get the ship's ready for our grand reopening.  
A tour of the closed USS Voyager starting at the 4:03 minute mark  :(



November 2015
Anna Edmundson recreated (and embellished a bit) the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center in Minecraft. She wanted to make it seem like a futuristic spaceport with real ships. She also wanted to include the new Odyssey as well as the old so she just put it right on top, since the remodel took out the Voyager and the Odyssey.




March 2012
Short news feature on BYU TV



The Impact of an InfinD Lab on a School in the Davis District.

The Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center highlighted in BYU TV's Story Trek

June 2017

A Fifth Grade Visits the Space Center for a Field Trip. A Student Made Slide Show
Spring 2013

A Tribute Honoring Mrs. Lorraine Houston for 25 Years Service to the Space Center
May 24,2018

A Video Introducing the Space Center's New Logo
May 24,2018

Park City Television Highlights the Space Center

November 8, 2017

Chloe Johnson takes us down to the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center to see why this program has been a school favorite for nearly 30 years!

A Short History of the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center

December 4, 2017

The Space Center's Video Launching a Fundraising Drive to Build a New Planetarium

March 27, 2018

Live the Adventure at the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center
October 4, 2016

The Magellan Staff Introduce You to the Simulators at the Christa McAuliffe Space Center
August 27, 2013