Where Are They Now? More Pictures from the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center's Original Staff Board of the 1990's. The Farpoint Universe Adopts NASA Space Navigation System. Theater Imaginarium.

Last Sunday I posted the first article highlighting the old Staff Picture Board at the front of the Briefing Room (home of today's Odyssey and Phoenix Simulators).  This LINK will take you to that post to read more about the Briefing Room and see the first set of pictures.

My Pre-Algebra Class. School Year 1999-2000 in Front of my desk in the Briefing Room

You can see the CAST board in the photo above. Digital Cameras, at least the ones a teacher could afford, were digitally inept back then. You'll notice I changed STAFF to CAST after a visit to Disneyland. I steal from the best. 

To keep in touch with the students of Central Elementary and to keep my teaching skills honed and up to date, I taught a sixth grade pre-algebra class every morning from 9:00 - 10:00 A.M. during my 23 years at the helm of the Space Center. My staff greeted the field trip bus at 9:40 A.M., bathroomed and hydrated the kids, took care of their lunches, and lined them up for simulator boarding. I'd dismiss the class and head straight to the Voyager's Bridge to greet them as they ascended the spiral stairs. 

I remember these kids in the photo above but have forgotten names. I know Michael and Trevor Heder are in this photo. Can you name any others?

Josh Webb

Presenting Josh Webb's CAST photo complete with staple marks and all.  Josh was a long time volunteer and supervisor.  Josh graduated from Pleasant Grove High School.  

Josh at the IIFX Station in the Voyager Control Room, with Scott Slaugh. Josh was a master at the SpaceEdventuring arts.

Josh was a good worker who set by example.  Here he is cleaning the Voyager's Bridge desks.

I guess there were times when I worked him a bit too hard, like on the overnight camps

Josh at Honor's Night Getting the Staff of the Year Award

He currently lives in Mountain House California and works for Complete Solar.  Josh married Lorina Johnson - they have three children and a dog. 

Josh was always an avid baseball player. He played varsity baseball for PG.
It appears he's keeping the tradition alive with his own family.

Randy Jepperson

This is Randy Jepperson.  He was the transitional volunteer from the old staff of the 1990's to the early staff of the early 2000's.  He was my top Central Elementary volunteer in the fifth and sixth grade (1996-1997) and continued to work at the Center for many years after that.  I had him speak as my token student at the Alpine School District Teacher of the Year Award in 1997.  Everyone knew Randy. Because he lived next door to the school, I relied on him to fill in for volunteers and staff who missed missions.  He saved my bacon many times.

Randy with the other Blue Shirts of his time in front of the old Odyssey.
Left to Right: Landon Helmsley, Soren Siebach, Charlie Heaton, Bryson Lystrup, Brady Young, Matt Long, and Bryce Redd.
Randy is kneeling and demonstrating his Photon Arm.

Randy on the Magellan

Randy at Honor's Night Advancing up the Ranks. Mrs Houston presents Randy with a New Set of Pips for his collar

Randy with Mr. Daymont in the Falcon Control Area.

Randy waking up on a Saturday Morning in the Discovery Room after a short Overnight Camp's sleep

Randy in the Magellan Control Room ready to go out in a cameo performance.
Seated left to right: Rio Downs, Ben Hoglund, Stacy Carrell

Randy married Joelle Hendricks. Today he works at US Synthetic, lives in Provo, Utah and has two children.

The Farpoint Universe at Telos Discovery Space Center, Farpoint Space Education Center, and the Lions Gate Center Incorporates XNAV, NASA's New Global Positioning System for Space Travel 

It turns out that figuring out where you are in space is really, really hard. With that in mind, have you ever heard of XNAV? It's a system of using the unique signals from pulsars to determine an object's location in space, independent of any other readings. It's long been a theoretical construct that scientists thought could be developed into a useful navigation tool for spacecraft, and NASA has now proven that it actually works. This is rather fun for us at the Telos Discovery Space Center, because as we have been writing the Farpoint universe and new missions to go along with it, we decided that our ships would use XNAV for navigation. It's fun to see one piece of our science fiction universe enter the realm of science fact.

Dr. Ryan Anderson
Telos Discovery Space Center

The Farpoint Universe Space Navigation System Using XNAV 

From the Farpoint Writer's Guide

I updated the Farpoint Writer's Guide two weeks ago to adapt for the XNAV system. That's how quickly we adapt Farpoint to the latest breakthroughs in science and technology. The Following is taken directly from the Farpoint Universe Writer's Guide.  Section 3 is dedicated to Navigation; for reference, page 10.  Are you interested in writing missions or stories set in Farpoint?  Contact me for the link to the Writer's Guide.

Mr. Williamson   

3    Navigation

3.1

Starship headings are given based on relative bearing. Relative bearings are given as two figures which correspond to two perpendicular planes around the starship. The first plane is horizontal and the second vertical. The planes are divided into 360 degrees. with 0 degrees representing straight ahead.

If the captain gave an order of “Heading 000 mark 0,” the helm would steer straight ahead, no course adjustment needed.  Remember, on the horizontal plane, degrees increase to the starboard side.  On the vertical plane, degrees increase from the top of the ship around the back to the bottom.  If the captain ordered a heading of 150 mark 0, the ship would turn 150 degrees to the starboard but not tilt up or down. If the captain ordered a heading of 150 mark 20, the ship would turn 150 degrees starboard then tilt nose up by 20 degrees.

 

Course calculations are calculated using the XNAV Pulsar Navigation System developed by NASA in the early 2000’s.  Pulsars are highly magnetised, rapidly rotating neutron stars - the result of a massive star's core collapsing and subsequently exploding. As they spin, they emit electromagnetic radiation. If an observer is in the right position, they can appear as sweeping beams, like a cosmic lighthouse. They're also extraordinarily regular - in the case of some millisecond pulsars, which can spin hundreds of times a second, their regularity can rival that of atomic clocks. This is what led to the idea behind XNAV. Because these pulsars are so regular, and because they're fixed in position in the cosmos, they can be used in the same way that a global positioning system uses atomic clocks.  XNAV uses four pulsars J0218+4232, B1821-24, J0030+0451, and J0437-4715 (pulsars so precise that their pulses can be accurately predicted for years into the future). When a course is required, the helmsman activates XNAV. It scans for the x-ray signals from the four pulsars. The nearest pulsars’s position is assigned the 000 mark 0 position. The desired destination is then located by XNAV in relation to the four pulsar’s identified on the star charts in relation to the beacon and ship’s position and the course entered. Diaspora star charts are updated regularly by the Astronomical Authority at Capital Point. The updated maps are sent out over the Marconi Entangled Particle Communicator (MEPCOMM) Network.

The navigator’s screen shows the position of the desired destination. A thruster setting would be displayed showing the maneuver needed to establish course. For instance, the course would be given as 62 mark 12. Two protractors are shown on the screen. One to show the ship at the 000 position and one to show the mark position. The helmsman turns the ship so that 000 mark 0 is facing the destination. The helmsman pushes the “Lock Course” button and the ship turns facing the destination. The destination is now the ship’s 000 mark 0 setting.  

Theater Imaginarium

The Best Gifs of the Week Edited for a Gentler Audience

Learn the History of the Space Center! Posts from the Past. May 2001: The Voyager's New Mission "Shadows" is Told for the First Time. Read the Post Mission Report. Along With Other Posts. The Imaginarium.

James Porter Proudly Showing his new Green Flight Director Shirt on the Occasion of his Promotion to Flight Director

James Porter, the Current Director of the Christa McAuliffe Space Education Center Becomes a Flight Director for the First Time
May 6, 2001

•James Porter is the Space Center's newest flight director. Last week James began running private missions in the Galileo. He knows the Maximum mission and is training to do the Parameter mission. James will be running 2 private mission weekly for the Galileo working under Kyle Herring, the Galileo's Set Director. 

•The Voyager ran a rare Saturday private mission last Saturday. It went well. We hosted a delegation from the USS Kelley - a Star Trek club in Salt Lake City. I need to thank Mr. Schuler, Josh Webb, and the other great Pioneers and Voyagers that helped on that mission. I was very sick Saturday and it was rough getting through that mission. 

•The Magellan's network failed on the Voyager/Pioneer Tora! Tora! Tora! mission on May 3rd. We spent most of Friday in the Magellan looking for the reason. Finally, in the afternoon the cause was discovered. It was one ethernet network cord. That is right, just one cord caused all that grief. 

•Congratulations to the staff of the Magellan for their excellent reviews on the last overnighter. All the ships did very well as usual but the Magellan scored higher than normal with almost all, if not all, ranking the Magellan as their favorite simulator and ranking the mission as "blowing their brain cells!"  A "Good Job" to those that worked the Magellan Friday and Saturday!

•Special needs flight. On the Tuesday after Memorial Day the Center will need volunteers during the school day. Our normal volunteers from Central School have their dance festival and field day that day leaving us with no volunteers. If you are out of school that day and can come and volunteer please let me know. 

• A new Voyager Sensor's Program has just been completed by Matt Long, a Voyager (soon to be Blue Shirt) and student of the advanced programming class taught by Brian Hawkins. Many of us saw the demo of the program last week and were very impressed with the new 
capabilities. Matt has done an excellent job. Wait until you see it!

• Attention all Set Directors! All summer stories must be on my desk by May 12th for approval. The Voyager's summer story "The Order" is finished and will go to Mr. Schuler for video effects and "?" for the tactical stack. 

All the Best and have a good week!

Mr. Williamson

Post from the Past
The Voyager Gets an Armory Station

May 8, 2001

After last Saturday's programming class, Victor approved the latest addition to the Voyager software: an "Armory" card on the Security station. This card will hold a complete inventory of all the ship's weapons. Security would have to perform inventory scans every so often, and we in the control room could manipulate it so that weapons "disappear" every now and 
then--good for second storylines. One of the advanced programmers (not yet named) will develop this addition, but before we get started, I'd like your input ...

REALISTICALLY, how many weapons would be registered to the Voyager? Remember that our stacks treat the Voyager as a ship with 15 decks and 20 security officers (not including the bridge security detail). We don't carry a detachment of Marines, nor would our kind of vessel be expected to have to repel invaders very often (although we do anyway :^). So, with that in mind, how many personal weapons would this ship have? How many phasers and phaser rifles? Would we carry any other sort of close-combat weapon? What other kinds of equipment might be found in a typical security armory?

Once again, I'd appreciate realistic suggestions. Thanks for your help.

--Brian Hawkins

Post from the Past
Shayne Skaggs Returns to the Space Center to Work With Kyle Herring and Tanner. A New Engineering Section for the Magellan and a New Decontamination for the Voyager

May 16, 2001

Hello Troops,
I want to take a minute and announce that Shayne Skaggs has return to employment at the Space Center. No, we will not see Shayne on the bridge during our missions - instead he has accepted a position working with Kyle Herring in the maintenance of the Center. Shayne and Kyle, along with a new apprentice electrician Tanner, make up the entire 
maintenance department of the Center. 

Magellan for Honor's Night.  The New Magellan Engineering Department was Installed where Kyle Herring (green shirt) is standing. That's Lorraine Houston sitting beside him. 

Shayne and Kyle will begin right away on creating a new engineering section for the Magellan. That will increase the Magellan's crew capacity to 15. That increase our income on overnight missions by $78.00 per flight. After the engineering section they will turn their 
attention to creating a new decontamination section for the Voyager.
Welcome back Shayne.

The Voyager's Brig Complete with Force Field.  How Many Hours did You Spend in this Brig you Old Timers

Post from the Past
Volunteering Promotions from the Pioneers to Voyagers

May 17, 2001

Hello Troops,
It is with great pleasure that I announce the following:

Sean Smith
Brad Cummings
Bridger Hendricksen
Dustin Robinson
Josh Grooms 
Russell Schaefer

Are in line for promotion from Pioneer to Voyager Society. They are the top 6 in the Pioneer club in points and flights worked. They have all shown a great dedication to the Center as all of our other volunteers. This promotion is not final pending their completing a level 3 mission in one of our simulators (described below).

As Voyagers they may now volunteer for overnight missions (1 per month) and can continue volunteering for afterschool and Saturday missions if they choose. They may also begin passing stations for further advancement. 

This opens the door for 6 volunteers in waiting to be admitted into the Pioneers. That decision will be posted soon.

WARNING: THESE PROMOTIONS DEPEND ON THE CANDIDATE'S PERFORMANCE IN ONE OF THE SHIP'S. THOSE BEING PROMOTED IN ANY CLUB MUST FIRST COMPLETE A LEVEL 3 MISSION IN ONE OF OUR SIMULATORS SATISFACTORILY. ONE HOPEFUL GROUP UP FOR PROMOTION HAS ALREADY BEEN ASSIGNED TO THE VOYAGER. THEIR MISSION, AS YOU KNOW, WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY THE 26TH FROM 5:00 P.M. TO 10:00 P.M. ISH. 

THE 6 BEING PROMOTED TODAY WILL BE ASSIGNED TO ONE OF THE SHIP'S. ONCE 
AGAIN, THEIR FINAL PROMOTION DEPENDS ON HOW THEY DO AT A LEVEL 3. I 
WISH THEM GOOD LUCK.

Mr. Williamson

Post from the Past
Rio Downs Complains about the Volunteer's Work Habits 

May 22, 2001

It has come to my attention over the past few months that all of us here at the Space Center are seriously lacking in work ethics. What I mean by work ethics are the ability to follow commands, the ability to put aside differences, and the ability to handle our own difficulties.


As a blueshirt I have noticed that many of the younger staff are severely insubordinate; they do not follow orders the first time given. I see this as an immense problem. Orders are given to the staff to further sufficiency, not to pick on us.


Also I have noticed that the staff has difficulty dealing with superiors. Sorry, but just expect to get yelled at by the Flight Directors(that's just what they do). Also, if a problem arises 
between two workers, the problem should be solved between those two, BY THEMSELVES. Involving others seldom helps.


The lack of following the chain of command is also a problem. As I stated earlier, if you have a problem, take it up with the person who caused it. This solves the problem a lot sooner than over-stepping this person and going straight to the top.  I am not exempt from this. We all need to work on our problems and I hope that this will help.


Thanks.
Rio

Post from the Past
New Pioneer Volunteers Appointed 

May 23, 2001

Hello Troops,
It is with great pleasure that I announce the names of our new Pioneers! The following 
individuals have come in to observe missions and responded to an email I sent out to all 
waiting volunteers. 

Those waiting volunteers that didn't make this list please check your emails at least once a 
week to be aware of developments! To be a volunteer you must check your email on a 
regular basis. 

To those waiting volunteers that responded to my email but didn't make 
this list it is because these people have been waiting the longest. Please be patient. 

Again, congratulations to the following people! Welcome to the Pioneers!!! You may 
begin volunteering on the June schedule so make sure you are in the egroup. 

Brad Francis
Brad Correy
Spencer Loong
Austin Winger
Jamie Sagars
Nathan Petersen
Best Wishes,
Mr. Williamson

Post from the Past
Mr. Williamson's New Mission Shadows is Told for the First Time 

May 26, 2001

Hello Troops,
I want to take a minute to congratulate the following people for finishing the Level 3 mission "Shadows" on Saturday, May 26th in the Voyager.

Brady Young
Soren Siebach
Matt Long
Bryson Lystrup
Bryce Redd
Charlie Heaton
Randy Jepperson
Landon Helmsley

The Mission began at 4:00 P.M. The crew had a meeting in the faculty room before being invited to the Bridge of the Voyager. Because this was a level 3 mission there were no headsets or staff. The put on their own uniforms and organized themselves. Brady  was the captain and Soren was the first officer. 

Randy Jepperson on the Magellan

The mission began with a visit to the bridge from Admiral Schuler. The crew "inspected" and then briefed on their mission. The Admiral left for the Magellan station. 

Admiral Schuler in his Civilian Clothes

Because some of you will be coming to do this new Voyager mission I will not discuss the actual story but here are a few of the highlights:

1. No Deaths!
2. Successful completion although their final quiz on the mission scored 50% at best.
3. They were cared for religiously by Dr. Stephen Porter.
4. They were fed delicious food prepared by the Voyager's new Italian Chef Giovanni Vercellie. Perhaps the first course was a bit on the hot side but the chicken was Perfecto!
5. They broke the Prime Directive. Prepare for Brady and Soren court marshall.
6. Bryce Redd didn't say a word during the mission!!!!! 
7. Bryson Lystrup didn't stop talking.
8. They ran the Voyager with precision. That ship has never been run better.
9. Randy did a great job at communication but had a really hard time staying in character.
10. They got to play a form of tag in the ship. Kind of a tag of death. 
11. Yes, they saved the Federation and Earth from destruction. 
12. They had to explain the story and their actions in front of a jury of Green Shirts: Bill Schuler, Stephen Porter, Kyle Herring, James Porter. 
13. We really enjoyed the opportunity to put our co workers through torture. 

The verdict on "Shadows" was good. There is some touchups I have to do but it is a different type of mission that breaks the norm of the usual. This mission has all the elements of a good story but experiments with some new types of suspense. I thought it worked very 
well.

A special thanks to the Green Shirts that gave up their Saturday evening to help with this mission - all unpaid. We are now looking forward to the Odyssey, Galileo, and Magellan's 
Promotion Flights. 

All the Best Troops and Another Week lies ahead.

Mr. Williamson

The Imaginarium