The HabForum

Okay, official roll call! Who's going Oct 11-16? And who's doing "train like an astronaut" and who's doing "train with an astronaut"? I submit my SCUBA form finally yesterday and have had two space camp dreams this week, so it's definitely starting to feel real. I'll be training "like" an astronaut to save $300. I'm soooooooooooo excited!!!

I'll be at corporate camp the week before, plus staying a few days after. Hope you have an incredible week!! I look forward to hearing all about it.

I live close by, my plan has been to come down on Friday October 11th and catch up with you guys before you get started on your adventure. I will stay at the Marriott for the weekend, and hang out at Sprocket one last time before winter sets in. I will meet up with Steve and other alumni and Hab1 or AAB members who might also be around that weekend. Sort of our Fall Alumni Weekend in a sense.

It would be better if your graduation fell on a saturday or sunday instead of during the week. That would make more sense for this sort of visit, but I guess we have to play with what we're given.

Hotdog wrote:Friday October 11th

And by that you mean Friday 09 October? We fly out on the 11th in the afternoon. That being said, we may not be much into socializing, but feel free to say hello if you find us. (PK can point you in the right direction.)

I fly in on the 2nd for a week of Corporate Camp followed by a week of Train With ASA. I'm very much looking forward to making new friends and seeing long-time friends!

I'm excited to be part of one of the "Train with an Astronaut" teams.
Last week I changed my work computer wallpaper to a picture of camp taken from the Mariott. I can't wait to get back.

We brought out all our space movies to watch in the weeks leading up to camp. So far, we've seen 2001, 2010 (sequel to 2001), Apollo 13, A Smile As Big As the Moon, Mary-Kate and Ashley's Case of the US Space Camp Mystery (it's an educational throw-back), the original SpaceCamp film, Contact, and a few others. 'The Cape' TV series (fiction) and 'From the Earth to the Moon' TV series (fact) are up next. Then the spacey IMAX films, time permitting.

I will be Training with an Astronaut. I am driving down on Saturday the 10th and staying the night at the Marriott. I know from the Facebook page that many of us who are arriving that evening will be gathering in the bar at the Marriott (now apparently nicknamed "The Library") I got my scuba forms in a long time ago and am looking forward to that. Having been there so many times before, I always look forward to whatever is new. A post on the Facebook page this morning says that they are going to be doing things differently than in the past, especially during our 12 hour EDM. Sounds great!!

SpaceCanada wrote:We brought out all our space movies to watch in the weeks leading up to camp. So far, we've seen 2001, 2010 (sequel to 2001), Apollo 13, A Smile As Big As the Moon, Mary-Kate and Ashley's Case of the US Space Camp Mystery (it's an educational throw-back), the original SpaceCamp film, Contact, and a few others. 'The Cape' TV series (fiction) and 'From the Earth to the Moon' TV series (fact) are up next. Then the spacey IMAX films, time permitting.

Been hitting the sim on the laptop and reviewing the Space Transportation Systems Reference (a long out of print book that refers to Hubble as the Space Telescope. I see that you can find one on Amazon but the prices are not for the fainthearted.)... might watch The Last Starfighter if I can find time...

"Greetings, Starfighter. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the frontier against Xur and the Ko-Dan armada. "

I should probably hit the books too, just in case I get assigned to one of the flight seats (though I'd probably give it up to someone who wanted it more than me). We have the Space Shuttler Operator's Manual as well as my old ASA handbooks with some sim details and orbiter switch charts.

Plus a whole bookshelf full of other space books I've been reviewing the past few months. Reading John Glenn's biography now, actually.

SpaceCanada wrote:I should probably hit the books too, just in case I get assigned to one of the flight seats (though I'd probably give it up to someone who wanted it more than me).

LOL You know that you have a few of us panting like dogs after that last statement. What were those cookies again? LOL

SpaceCanada wrote: We have the Space Shuttler Operator's Manual as well as my old ASA handbooks with some sim details and orbiter switch charts.

Plus a whole bookshelf full of other space books I've been reviewing the past few months. Reading John Glenn's biography now, actually.

Got the Operator's Manual, too and the Haynes one.... Read Clayton Anderson's book which had a few insights into astro life.. am trying to stay away from rereading The Martian...

I have been reading for a month or so. First Falling to Earth, by Al Worden. Now I am in the middle of Carrying the Fire by Michael Collins. I have the shuttle operators manual too. And my last Advanced Adult Academy manuals. I won't fight for a pilot's or Commander's spot. I prefer to be a Mission Specialist.

Anyone looking for something to read prior to Camp, I must suggest Mike Mullane's excellent book, "Riding Rockets". It's possibly the best first-person non-fiction book of any kind I've ever read (and I've read thousands of them over the years).
He was an MS during the golden years of the STS program. Be warned, it's not for easily offended people and if you don't want to read anyone talking smack about Apollo 16/STS-1 CDR John Young.

I agree. Riding Rockets is a fun and interesting book. I like hearing stories about Hoot Gibson, too.

Conan wrote:I like hearing stories about Hoot Gibson, too.

I so badly hope that Hoot takes a cue from his wife and decides to write his own book. I have a copy of Rhea Seddon's new book but haven't started reading it yet (I like to pace myself for astronaut autobiographies as there are very few I haven't read yet).
I asked Hoot in October about the potentially disastrous foam strike to STS-27, mentioning Mullane's book saying Hoot had planned to tell Houston what he thought of their bad call to ignore the damages when the crew knew how bad it was. I asked exactly what he'd planned to tell CAPCOM right before the Atlantis broke up but Hoot didn't want to say. He did say he knew what to look for if the orbiter was about to break up and how long he'd have left to live but he wouldn't say what those word were. I bet it probably would have ended with something like, "...and the horse you rode in on!"
Could you imagine the conversation he had with Rhea after they landed? I bet it was quite an interesting (not in a good way) vibe between him and the people who told him everything was okay, after he got back to JSC...

Mike Mullane spoke to us at graduation of the first camp I attended. He talked about watching thunderstorms from space.

As luck would have it, on my departing flight, while wearing my flightsuit, I had the window seat by the grey bulkhead, just like the orbiter, and we flew over thunderstorms at night. Took me right back....

A fellow camper suggested Riding Rockets to me after my 3 day. I picked up a copy and couldn't put it down. Loved that book! I'm trying to read Clayton Anderson's now, but with all my schoolwork I have trouble finding time to read for fun.

I'll bribe people with cookies, cake, pie, whatever...to have the pilot seat, haha. CDR was amazing, but I am in love with the pilot seat.

There's speculation that we may have another government shutdown come 10/1. If I remember correctly, the last one shutdown Marshall tours.

majtom7 wrote:There's speculation that we may have another government shutdown come 10/1. If I remember correctly, the last one shutdown Marshall tours.

I would expect that Marshall would be closed in the event of a government shutdown. Hopefully it either won't come to that or a budget can be passed before we leave camp and we can get the tour in.

Just a reminder: Be sure to complete your health and dietary needs forms! I just did my preliminary report for the ADAA week and 10 folks have not completed them!

Also, complete your transportation form! Adults are particularly negligent about that. If you don't request (and pay for) ground transportation from the airport, there won't be anyone there to pick you up!