Postcards To Space occupied booth #205 at the
Wirefly X Prize Cup, October 20 & 21, 2006.
Booth media included graphics explaining the
STREET space ring and the
Postcard Display.
I
just got back from the incredible Wirefly XPrize Cup. This was by far
the best space event I've ever attended. Conferences might be more
informative but this event had the volume turned to 11. As I was flying
a booth, I didn't see much actual flying, but almost everything was
perfect and incredible. Since inception and the Space Ship One flights,
the XPrize has been rocking the foundations of the space community. The
star-spangled spaceplane has really made history.
People
I'd like to thank include Denise and Nancy who handled Logistics for
this very complicated event. All the volunteers and people that put
blood, sweat and tears into making it happen deserve applause. Thank
you. Sky Fire Lab were the best booth-neighbors ever, it was great
seeing Evan again and fun meeting Kevin and Jessica, Mike, Kayoko,
Yuki, Phil, Rocky, Kennda, the whole VR Skydive crew and Monica, Aaron
and Darla from Seattle. Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Postcards
To Space booth and especiallly those who stepped up and voted with
their dollars.
None
of this would be possible without the investment and foresight of Dr.
Peter Diamandis and the Ansari family. All of these folks share the
Vision Thing.
Good stuff that happened in my
presence includes seeing Jon Carmack and team resting in the shade of
the broken Pixel, after the first day of flying, exhausted and happy as
a kid. He's doing rocket science and immense fun. The Tripoli rockets
were fascinating, a class of high-power amateur rockets built by
students and young adults. Some of these rockets break the sound
barrier seconds after launch, truly a crowd pleaser.
VR
Skydive provided a vertical wind tunnel and crew of coaches to provide
another crowd pleaser: flying in the blast of air from this portable
training facility. Put on a parachute suit, goggles and helmet, get in
and the coaches stabilize you as you are lifted by the airstream. They
literally fly out of the top of the tunnel cage, it's amazing. Patrick,
Abe, Matt, Amy and James kept everyone safe and having a great time.
Free flying on a blast of prop-wash is one of the coolest things I've
ever done, I'm actively coming up with excuses to become a tunnel rat.
On Friday, nearly 10,000 school
children arrived for the event. Their enthusiasm and bright smiles were
infectious. My greatest hope for these space events is that they
inspire this youngest generation to pursue the new frontier.
For
everyone reading this that attended the XPrize, please tell people
about it. Tell them about what you saw and help spread the word. Only
you can make "space" happen.
P2S had a warm reception, hundreds of people provided feedback, critique and encouragement for the project.
