Amerikai Magyar Hírlap, 2007 (19. évfolyam, 1-50. szám)

2007-06-01 / 23. szám

Scotty Gets a Space Send-Oft Ashes of ‘Star Trek’ engineer and NASA astronaut go into space and back SPACEPORT AMERICA, N.M. - On April 28, 2007, at 8:58 a.m. MDT, a rocket carrying the cre­mated remains of James Montgomery Doohan lifted off and achieved space a few minutes later. The launch took place out of Spaceport America in New Mexico, near White Sands Missile Range, and was arranged by Celestis Memorial Space­­flights, a subsidiary of Space Services Inc. John Meredyth Lucas, an Original Series writer/ director/producer who died in 2002, was also part of the mission, called “The Legacy Flight.” Doohan’s widow, Wende, personally pushed the launch button which fired the rocket. She was joined by Suzan Cooper, widow of astronaut Gordon Cooper, another Legacy Flight honoree. “Beam me up, Scotty!” Also attending the launch was Lucas’ daughter, Victoria Lucas of Tucson, Arizona. Hundreds of spectators watched from a VIP viewing area about three miles from the launch site, deep in the New Mexico desert. Those spectators mostly consisted of families of the 202 participants being memori­alized on the flight, but also included hordes of press from around the world — including STARTREK.COM — eager to report on the fact that “Scotty” has finally “beamed up” into the “final frontier” nearly two years after his death. (See the CBS News link below for one such report.) The launch was scheduled for 8:30 a.m., though spectators had been thoroughly warned that delays up to six hours could occur, or in the worst case, the mission could be scrubbed altogether. Fortunately, the winds were not too high, and impending thunderstorms in the area stayed at bay. The only reason there was any delay was that unauthorized personnel were spotted within the “hazard zone” and had to be evacuated. This flight was an “Earth-Return” mission, meaning the payload containing the ashes of the deceased was intended to achieve an altitude of about 70 miles — reaching a weightless environment — and then arc back down and parachute safely to Earth for recovery. There was a glitch in the telemetry tracking on the rocket during the flight, but radar at White Sands Missile Range confirmed that the vehicle did indeed reach space. Before the successful launch, two attempts were aborted at the last minute. SpaceX went nearly all the way to the final minute of the countdown, but that launch attempt was aborted due to a communication glitch. SpaceX’s millionaire founder, Elon Musk, said the beefed-up ground control software triggered Monday’s automatic abort. Musk founded his California-based company five years ago to develop a low-cost alternative to the launch vehicles fielded by aerospace giants such as The Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin. The company says it already has about $400 million in future orders booked — including a $278 million NASA contract for demonstrating a next-generation spaceship by 2010. After the flight, Jerry Larson, president of UP Aerospace — the manufacturer of the rocket — reported that the vehicle exceeded altitude expectations, and that the payload landed precisely where intended. Spe­cific details are pending. This is the very first successful launch into space at Spaceport America, a nascent commercial facility that will serve as headquarters to Virgin Galactic in about three years. “This launch has christened Spaceport America,” said Rick Homans, the new director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority, in a press release handed out on site. “Today is all about entrepreneurs blazing a commercial path into space.” This launch which carried Doohan into space took place exactly 10 years and one week after Celestis held their inaugural flight, which contained the ashes of Gene Roddenberry. * * * The day before the Celestis “Legacy Flight” sent the cremated remains of James Doohan into space, a public memorial was held at the New Mexico Museum of Space History atop a hill overlooking Alamagordo, NM, on a very breezy Friday afternoon, April 27, 2007. The service honored all 202 participants On the Celestis memorial spaceflight, but paid particular tribute to Doohan and astronaut L. Gordon Cooper. Doohan’s widow, Wende, and Cooper’s widow, Suzan, were special guests. The tribute included a military jet flyover by the 49th Fighter Wing of Holloman Air Force Base, performing a “Missing Man” formation, in which four aircraft (T-38s) fly in a V-shape, and then one pulls away as the formation passes over the ceremony. Speakers included Charles Chafer, CEO of Space Services Inc. aka Celestis; Rick Homans, the new direc­tor of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority; General David L. Goldfein, Commander of the 49th Fighter Wing, Holloman Air Force Base; Marc B. Lee, who emceed the James Doohan Farewell Tribute Convention in 2004; and Sandy Stone of STARTREK.COM, presenting a plaque made from the special “Trek Life” tribute strip drawn by David Reddick. Source: msncbc.com ' DUNA Travel 8530 Holloway Dr. It102 W. Hollywood, CA 90069 Spa, Hotel foglalások, Kocsi bérlés Kedvezményes repülőjegy árak LAX-BUD-LAX $575.-tői +TX. (májas 17-ig) Információért hívják ZSUZSÁT TEL: (310) 652-5294 FAX: (310) 652-5287 1-888-532-0168 The English Page of the Hírlap can serve as a bridge between the non-Hungarian-speak­­ing members of the fam­ily and the community. Use it to bring people to­gether! Subscribe to the Hirlap! Advertise your business in the Hirlap! If you have any ques­tions or suggestions, please call (323) 463-6376 One Hungarian does conquer Everest The Hungarian climber, Attila Jalinkó, successfully conquered the top of Mount Everest at 8848 meters on Wednesday morning at 3am with an oxygen mask, the Independent News Agency reports. Jelinkó started his expedition on March 29 and spent almost two months in Nepal to get “mentally and physically prepared” for the challenge. Jelinko originally started his tour with Dávid Klein and László Várkonyi, who tried to reach the top without the help of oxygen masks. The two Hungarians got as far as 8600 meters on Monday, but Klein started to descend due to a stomach infection. His colleague took the last 250 meters of the challenge, but could not reach the top due to strong winds. The first Hungarian climber to conquer the peak with an oxygen mask was Zsolt Erdős in 2002. ‘Cultural village’ Echoing Pécs, the Cul­tural Capital of Europe for 2010, only 25km away, the village of Pal konya in the southwest corner of Hun­gary has been proclaimed the “Cultural Vil­lage of Europe for 2007.” The nomination came from a board of mayors from 12 other villages spread across Europe. The aim of this initiative - triggered by the mayor of Wijk aan Zee, a village in Holland, in 1999 - is to highlight the fact that there is life beyond the city, perhaps less vibrant but more human and with long lasting traditions, which should be maintained and nourished. It is Palkonya’s turn this year to show the best it has to offer to inhabitants coming from the 12 other European villages it is allied with. Every second weekend, from May 27 to the first weekend in October, the small community of 360 souls takes in some 80 international guests. During those days there will be receptions, visits, concerts, country walks, festive meals, but most of all wine tasting in the 53 wine cellars on the hill at the end of the village. The so-called “Cellar Row” is an early 19th century heritage left by the German settlers, and constitutes the true landmark of Palkonya. The village became increasingly popular with tourists who ven­tured onto the Siklós-Villány Wine Route after the cellar houses went through a major face-lift during the 1990s. Each weekend celebration has two other European villages as guests, which means that, in addi­tion to the local treats, there will be plenty of food and music from those countries. There pairs of international visitors are Holland & Greece (June 15- 18), Germany & Estonia (June 29 - July 2), Austria & England (August 3-6), Denmark & Italy (Aug 24 - 27), Spain & France (Sep 28 - Oct 1), with Czech Republic visiting on Oct 5-8. It is on the Saturdays only, however, when outside visitors can enjoy the party side-by-side with the international company from this array of European villages. Also, during the week, only three of the 53 wine cellars are open unless otherwise previously agreed with the owners. For more information on the programs and accommodation, check the English language website at www.kulturalisfalu.palkonya.hu . POOL RESTORATION Industrial Bond Coating Free Estimate! High Resistance against algae and stains Non-abrasive surface * Six different colors No more leaking * Maximum Durability Reduced chemical consumption Tony (213) 422-9386 opens its doors UP, up and away...

Next

/
  • Elrendezés
  • Igazítás
  • Forgatás
Oldalképek
Tartalom