Civilian Space Flight & Flashlights - June 21

[Gransee]

Monday June 21st, Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne is scheduled to be the world’s first commercial manned space vehicle. This is open to the public and will (IMO) be similiar to watching Lindberg on his historic trans-atlantic flight.

I am driving up from Phoenix probably on Saturday or Sunday and staying till Tuesday. There are hotels and a campground in the area. I would love to hang out with fellow flashlight/space flight junkies like myself and everyone interested is invited.

Press Release and FAQ

Sunday or Monday night we could also have a flashlight shoot off (bring your best lights).

Does this sound like something you would like to see?

Peter

 

[Aten_Imago]

Sounds cool Peter.
... but I can't make it. I hope someone shoots some DV topost on CPF.
No doubt Discovery Communications will have a piece on it
AI.

 

[Atomic6]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif E Mail sent....

 

[Gransee]

OK, revised plan to lower cost of the trip:

Travel up from Phoenix late Sunday night. Arrive in Mojave around 5am. Eat breakfeast, see the launch, etc and then go to lunch. After lunch, travel back to Phoenix.

If anyone if going to see the launch, we can swap cell numbers and try to touch bases.

Peter

 

[thesurefire]

Now now, no blinding the passengers with space needles...

 

[Atomic6]

Wow-there are 11 motels in Mojave and as of tonight there are ZERO rooms available. Zip!

So who is going out there?

 

[thesurefire]

Sadly I dont think I'll be able to make it.

 

[Gransee]

Ok, the highway patrol is predicting traffic jams. We should arrive at 3am. Which means we will have to leave Phoenix by 9pm Sunday.

FRS channel 8

Email me for cell phone #.

Peter

 

[Gransee]

The trip is this weekend. See you there. I plan on posting pictures in the Arc forum when we get back.

Peter

 

[Gransee]

It is 3:40am and there are already several thousand people here. The line of cars stretches back to the highway.

Peter

 

[K-T]

Just saw the takeoff of the carrier plane live on TV - must be impressive to see the whole thing live at the Mojave desert. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[Atomic6]

I just returned from Mojave SpacePort. They did it. Civilains flew in sub-orbital Space. The Pilot held-up a sign at one moment that many, I'm sure, did not see. It read "SpaceShipOne-Government Zero"

I took this image as they towed the Spacecraft by the Media Viewing Area after the landing. The Pilot, Mike Melvill, was really excited after rocketing 62 miles straight-up right over our heads! I watched through CC Govt.issue binocs as he dissappeared into the heavens behind a trail of smoke and vapor. What an event! Paul Allen, Burt Rutan. and the pilot Mike Melvill done good /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif Melvill, a spry 63, is the first man to earn astronaut wings flying in a civilian funded program. Paul Allen put up $20,000,000.00.

 

[gadget_lover]

That's a great picture, and a cute story.

I watched the flight on TV. Does anyone else have pictures? Stories?

I wish I could have gone, but the drive is too long for a 1 day trip from my place. Maybe I'll be there for the next.

Daniel

 

[Atomic6]

gadget-Thanks. I'll bet Peter got some good footage and pics. I think he'll post in the ARC forum.

If you can make the next flights- the X-prize attempts, it would be worth the effort!!

 

[Gransee]

Yes, I will post in the Arc forum.

Simply Awesome...

Peter

 

[Brock]

The Shuttle uses a muitlmillon dollar "crawler" to move the shuttle, and they use a good old pick up /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Can't beat that!!!

 

[Atomic6]

[ QUOTE ]
Brock said:
The Shuttle uses a muitlmillon dollar "crawler" to move the shuttle, and they use a good old pick up /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Can't beat that!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes indeed. It is not everyday that you see a multi-billionaire riding on the tailgate of a PU Truck. Paul Allen is a cool breeze... and class act.

 

[NewBie]

Take a look here:
http://www.garmin.com/products/streetPilot/

Look carefully here:
http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/photos/images/video/14p_apogee.jpg

Then look carefully here:
http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/photos/800/WK%20cockpit%20view%20800.jpg

 

[gadget_lover]

That shot shows a color screen. Thats more likely a Street Pilot III or one of their aviation products, like the CPS295.

The CPS295 looks like the same hardware as the Streetpilot III, but has software tailored to pilots. The streetpilot will tell you which route to take to get there. The GPS295 will provide "vector to final" information. The 295 IS designed for use in aircraft.

I have the Streetpilot III. Besides my lights, it's one of my favorite gadgets.

Daniel