Let's go ... to a space party!

Rocket Sellers, Science School, Second Life — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 10:56:16 GMT

Boole dear anyone can dance in Second Life. Just touch the dance ball and allow it to animate your avatar. Save one for me.

Let's go ... to a space party!

Chris Eldridge, Harrisburg PA — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 12:37:18 GMT

I’m not exactly sure how this will come across, but to me, the Soviet Union was a worthy adversary. Too often, Western ideology told us that everything the Soviets did was inferior. Yet when you look at the details objectively, it is hard not to see them as not only an equal but perhaps even a bit more visionary than us. How many space firsts did they have? First man, first space walk, first woman, first two-man crew, first three-man crew, first space station, longest duration… Many people don’t even know the soviets had a near operational equivalent to the US Saturn V that was actually slightly larger and produced significantly more thrust. I also loved their simpler – yet more effective – combination of a small, safe and affordable manned Soyuz rocket, a space station, and an independent cargo launcher. This is in sharp contrast to the far more costly shuttle that tried to combine all. This was a “design philosophy difference” on their part, not a technical limitation.

As we also know they had their own shuttle after a while to which also was substantially better than our own. It not only flew its first mission AUTOMATED, it had packaged its engines as part of the central fuel tank, not broken out as our own shuttle did. This allows the massive soviet central booster to either launch the shuttle OR some other MASSIVE payload that would have allowed us to reach MARS decades ago.

As a humanitarianist, I don’t look at these achievements as an ‘affront’ to my society, but as a tribute to our human race. It makes me proud to see what humans can do no matter where they are from. The longest bridge in the world is in Japan, the only operational maglev train in china, the tallest building in Taiwan, the longest tunnels (under water and on land) in Europe and so on. Looking at what we humans can do as a whole utterly makes me sick to think of how much we waste fighting each other. Most of what is good in life is right before us. Let’s not blow it now!

Let's go ... to a space party!

Ray Olson Sheridan Wy — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 15:30:07 GMT

not exactly sure where this comment belongs- but in honor of the passing of Kurt Vonnegut when the guys in Switzerland try for their artificial black hole should't they call it the International Collider Experiment 9- just in case

Let's go ... to a space party!

Wade Whitlock, Aberdeen, MD — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 16:17:02 GMT

So why is there no similar recognition of the US astronauts, living and dead? Considering all the fuss about Columbia and Challenger, and I won't forget Apollo I, either.

A celebration of explorers is appropriate, why not, since we celebrate the day of the lost Italian and not Leif Ericsson.

If Gagarin was anything like our Mercury 7, one hell of a party would be appropriate. And if nasa doesn't like the ideas of alcoholic toasts (just so the stuff isn't flammable) they can haul their bureaucratic butts up there and say so. Otherwise, I would foresee a communications problem. "Damn, the solar static is bad! We can't copy, Houston!" What are they going to do about it?

Let's go ... to a space party!

Mike, Houston, Tx — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 16:59:41 GMT

Awesome!! Thanks for talking about Yuri's Night!! (specifically the 'hoedown in Houston', though we aren't going to be in a barn ;) ) It's a great event to celebrate a great achievement of Humanity!

Thanks Again!
-Yuri's Night Houston (aka. Space City)

Let's go ... to a space party!

James M. Busby, Los Angeles, Ca — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 19:02:07 GMT

Today also marks the groundbreaking in Downey, Ca., for the Columbia Space Science and Learning Center. It is located at 12214 Lakewood Blvd. at the former aerospace plant (Now a studio) where the Apollos and the Space Shuttles were built. Dr. Jon Clark, husband of Columbia astronaut Laurel Clark will be there for the Columbia crew families.

IT is open to the public and the party begins at 4:30 P.M.

Let's go ... to a space party!

Tim Bailey, Titusville, Fla. — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 02:13:42 GMT

to Wade in Aberdeen:

Yuri's Night does honor the achievements of the US! We celebrate dual anniversaries on April 12: Gagarin in 1961 and STS-1 in 1981. It is a cosmic coincidence and a great way to honor both space programs!

Truly, we seek to honor ALL those brave pioneers that have risked their lives to open up the frontier of space for all mankind. Having an astronaut, cosmonaut, taikonaut, or other space explorer at a Yuri's Night event is a great honor and privilege.

Thank you for reminding us of those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that others could follow the path to the stars. I look forward to seeing Aberdeen, MD, on the Yuri's Night event map next year!

~Tim Bailey
Event Relations
Yuri's Night World Space Party
www.YurisNight.net