Guest: Kevin Heath. Topics: The company Waypoint 2 Space for human spaceflight training was introduced to us. Please direct all comments and questions regarding Space Show programs/guest(s) to the Space Show blog, http://thespaceshow.wordpress.com. Comments and questions should be relevant to the specific Space Show program. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are a violation of our copyright and are not permitted without prior written consent, even if for your own use. We do not permit the commercial use of Space Show programs or any part thereof, nor do we permit editing, YouTube clips, or clips placed on other private channels & websites. Space Show programs can be quoted, but the quote must be cited or referenced using the proper citation format. Contact The Space Show for further information. In addition, please remember that your Amazon purchases can help support The Space Show/OGLF. See www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/amazon.htm. For those listening to archives using live365.com and rating the programs, please email me as to why you assign a specific rating to the show. This will help me bring better programming to the audience. We welcomes Kevin Heath, CEO and President of Waypoint 2 Space, a new human spaceflight training company located near JSC near Houston, Texas. Visit their website for more information, www.waypoint2space.com. While our program was 90 minutes and covered two segments, since we talked about Waypoint 2 Space in both segments, along with their training program and plans, this summary will cover both segments as one. We started our discussion with Mr. Heath providing us with an historical overview leading up to the creation of Waypoint 2 Space followed by the why of starting this business. One of the important points made early in the discussion was the fact that Waypoint has received the FAA Safety Approval which is important, especially for the platform customers. Kevin then went over their training plans and programs, explaining that they will have three main programs, a Level 1 Spaceflight Fundamentals; Level 2 Sub-orbital Training & Level 3 Orbital Training. Waypoint also has a Commercial Payload Specialist Program which was explained to us. Our guest went through the special equipment they have and will acquire as Kevin made the point throughout our discussion that Waypoint provided comprehensive spaceflight training. As you will hear, the programs are being implemented as the markets appear. For example, the Level 3 Orbital Training Program will be delayed until there are orbital flights available for their customer base. Kevin talked a lot about spacesuits in the training, having sizes for their customer base, and he described more regarding their comprehensive spacesuit training. He also talked about making Waypoint broad to appeal to and serve a large and diverse market. When asked, our guest went over the physical requirements for the program along with the guidelines for one's health. Listeners asked lots of questions, including wanting to know if training for focus, calmness, and on psychological concerns was part of the training. Others asked questions about the training per se, space sickness, competition, and of course the pricing. The price for the Level 1 Program is $45,000 & Kevin spent some time discussing pricing with us. Later we learned that Waypoint has expansion plans that may even include a foreign type of franchise at various spaceport locations around the world. Kevin was asked about special lunar or Mars mission profile and settlement training, plus I asked him if he used space tourism market studies in his creating the business. Our guest had much to say about this particular subject. Others wanted to know about class size, registration, & possible NASA endorsements to the training. Please post your comments/questions on TSS blog above. You can reach Kevin Heath through the Waypoint website or me.
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