Broadcast 704 (Special Edition)

The UP Aerospace and Celestis Memorial Spaceflight launch from Spaceport America, New Mexico was the focus for this on the scene special two hour Space Show program. I was present for all the launch activities and I was able to not only bring you the full range of announcements from Mission Control, the final press briefing after the successful launch, and a full description of the launch and the 11 minute waiting period until we knew total success, but you will hear from many people attending and viewing the event. The Mayor Hatch, NM provides us with his comments as does a member of the Hatch City Council. You will hear from Leonard David, Barbara David, Wendy Doohan, the UP team with Tracy Larson and Eric Knight, and Charlie Chafer, CEO of Celestis. Elaine Walker had a very special payload on board, ashes from 9/11! You will hear from Elaine plus many ordinary people talking about the launch and their view of building and financing the spaceport in Upham, NM. In additional to the memorial part of the flight, there were many commercial and student payloads on the rocket. The student payloads were science experiments and I was able to talk with several students and teachers about the experiments. It is my understanding that the commercial projects were kept quiet but we will hear about possible commercial products resulting from this launch over the next few weeks. Once the interviews start on this program, its a nonstop show. No breaks, no Space Show messages, just the rolling of the recordings with only minor editing. Please remember most of the recordings were outside in a windy situation. Many of the people were very emotional when talking and from the entire experience as the remains of their loved ones were on this flight and the launch represented much closure to many, many families. The recordings on the bus were done in a very noisy environment filled with dust and bumps and noises from the bus that one could not believe as the road to the spaceport is really a well worn cow path. In fact, at one point, our bus had to stop as 5 or 6 horses were hanging around in the road and did not feel the need to move for the larger vehicle. We waited them out and eventually passed them by the side of the road. This was a terrific launch and experience and I was pleased to part of it. I hope you enjoy the Space Show brining this experience to you via radio as best as can be done. The launch video will be available on both the UP and Celestis websites and its being shown on cable news with Fox, CBS, CNN and others. Fox was on the scene as was the BBC and Reuters. My son Michael was with me along with his friend Nicole and they took some fun video of the launch, my interviews and more. We will soon have those videos up on YouTube so watch the website newsletter for the URLs and I will of course give them out on air when they are ready. As always, you comments and questions are welcome at drspace@thespaceshow.com.